United News of Bangladesh

Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Prof Ali Riaz on Sunday expressed strong optimism that the ongoing efforts for state reforms will undoubtedly succeed. “This is not just a matter of the National Consensus Commission. Achieving consensus is a shared responsibility of the political parties, civil society and other political and social forces. Everyone is sincere, everyone wants it. We believe that everyone’s effort will undoubtedly be a success,” he said. Prof Riaz made the remarks while presiding over the second day of talks between Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. An 11-member Jamaat delegation, led by its Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, took part in the discussions. Commission to turn 2024 uprising hopes into national charter: Ali Riaz Highlighting the sacrifices made to reach the current stage of reform dialogue, Prof Riaz said, “Many lives have been lost to bring us here. We’ve come here through much bloodshed. We must always remember that we owe them a responsibility.” Earlier, on April 26, Jamaat-e-Islami participated in the first day of talks with the Consensus Commission. The Commission began its dialogue series with political parties on March 20 to build a national consensus on state reforms initiated by the interim government. So far, it has held talks with more than 30 political parties, including BNP and the National Citizen Party (NCP). Formed on February 15, 2025, under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, the Commission was tasked with shaping a unified national stance on key reforms. The Commission in its initial phase, compiled recommendations from five dedicated commissions focused on constitutional, public administration, electoral, judicial, and anti-corruption reforms and shared those with 39 political parties for feedback. Structural reforms must to make Bangladesh democratic: Ali Riaz At least 34 political parties, including BNP, Jamaat and NCP, responded with their reform proposals.

National Consensus Commission Vice Chairman Prof Ali Riaz on Sunday urged political parties to encourage their like-minded allies to work towards a consensus over reforms by bridging differences at least on fundamental issues. “As political forces, we have the hope, belief and trust in you that you will talk to others, inspire your friendly political forces to narrow down the differences, and come to a common ground through which we can reach an agreement,” he said. Prof Riaz made the remarks in his introductory speech at the dialogue between the 12-party alliance and the National Consensus Commission. Political parties to compromise for state reforms, hopes Ali Riaz The talks, chaired by Prof Riaz, began at 10:05am at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex. An 11-member delegation from the alliance took part in the dialogue, led by Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) Chairman Mostafa Jamal Haider and Bangladesh LDP leader Shahadat Hossain Salim. “We don’t believe that sitting at this table alone will lead us to the final destination of national consensus. Our role is that of a catalyst, and we are making that effort,” said Prof Riaz. He said each political party has placed its opinion over reform proposals but all must compromise to some extent to reach consensus. “We all have to come together. We may not agree on everything, but we must reach common ground on fundamental state-building issues to move Bangladesh forward,” he added. Citing that building national consensus is not solely the commission’s responsibility, Prof Riaz said, “You who are engaged in the struggle and are in dialogues with us today should talk to your allies and other political forces to explore how we can come together.” Reform Process: Prof Yunus gives directives towards next steps  Consensus Commission members Safar Raj Hossain, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar and Dr Mohammad Ayub Miah were present at the discussion, moderated by Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider. On March 20 last, the Consensus Commission opened a series of talks with political parties to forge a national consensus on state reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. The commission has already held talks with 23 political parties, including BNP and Jamaat-e Islami and National Citizen Party (NCP).