United News of Bangladesh

The first round of dialogues between the National Consensus Commission and political parties, aimed at building consensus on the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government, concluded on Monday after two months of discussions. “The first phase of talks with political parties, which began two months ago, concluded today (Monday),” said Vice Chairman of the Consensus Commission Prof Ali Riaz while presiding over the discussion with Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex. On March 20 last, the Consensus Commission opened a series of talks with political parties to forge a national consensus on state reform initiatives. The commission held talks with 33 political parties, including BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party (NCP). Prof Ali Riaz said the Consensus Commission will start the second round of dialogues soon to reach consensus on reform agendas. Jamaat joins talks with Consensus Commission for day 2 “In the dialogues with political parties, we have been able to reach consensus on many issues and we also have differences of opinion on several issues. We will soon begin the second phase of talks and discuss all the issues on which there are differences of opinion,” he said. Prof Ali Riaz hoped that the commission could move forward quickly in preparing a national charter through unresolved issue-based discussions. A seven-member CPB delegation, led by Ruhin Hossain Prince, attended its second day of talks with the Consensus Commission. 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 critical reforms. The commission, in its initial phase, compiled key recommendations from five reform commissions — addressing constitutional, public administration, electoral, judicial, and anti-corruption reforms — and shared them with 39 political parties for feedback. At least 34 political parties, including BNP, Jamaat and NCP, responded by sending their reform opinions in broad sheets to the Consensus Commission. NCP joins talks with Consensus Commission for 2nd day The National Consensus Commission aims to reach a national consensus by mid-July to prepare a national charter to reform the state structures.

Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Prof Ali Riaz on Wednesday said the aspiration of every citizen of Bangladesh is to create a democratic state where people will not be victims of disappearances, killings and persecutions. “We are trying to achieve the long aspiration of the people of building a democratic state structure," he said while chairing a dialogue with Islami Andolan Bangladesh-IAB (Pir Charmonai) in the capital. An 11-member IAB delegation, led by its secretary general Maulana Yunus Ahmed Sheikh, joined the talks with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex. Expressing hope for reaching a consensus by prioritising the interests of the nation, and people, Prof Riaz said, “Each political party has its own ideological plans for governing the state. But, we must rise above our differences and seize the opportunity to shape a democratic state structure.” He said the people's demand is for a democratic society and a democratic state. “I don’t believe consensus will be gained only through formal discussions by the Commission. Rather a united effort is necessary to prepare a national charter,” he added. Commission members Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, Safar Raj Hossain, Dr Iftekharuzzaman and the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Hayder were also present during the discussion. IAB submitted its written opinions to the Consensus Commission over the state reform proposals on April 10. Prof Yunus welcomes investment proposals from UAE in various sectors Earlier on Wednesday morning, a six-member Nagorik Oikya delegation, led by its general secretary Shahidullah Kaiser attended its dialogue with the Consensus Commission for the second day. The National Consensus Commission launched its dialogue series with political parties on March 20, aiming to develop a united stance on the interim government's reform efforts. So far, the Commission has held discussions with 25 political parties. The Commission, formed under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, has been working since February 15, 2025, to finalise its recommendations for crucial state reforms.

National Consensus Commission Vice Chairman Prof Ali Riaz on Tuesday said the success of the ongoing political dialogue depends on the unity of democratic forces in Bangladesh. “The extent of our success depends on how united the democratic forces in Bangladesh can remain,” he said while delivering the opening speech during the dialogue between the National Consensus Commission and the Revolutionary Workers Party held at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex. Talking about the ongoing series of dialogues with political parties, Prof Riaz said there is a consensus on many issues. “We also see differences of opinion on various matters, which we aim to resolve through discussions. A democratic society is inherently pluralistic. We will not all speak the same language, but we share a common goal. That is where we are united, and we will continue to remain so.” Only unity can lead to a new Bangladesh:Prof Ali Riaz He said, “We want — and the people of the country want — that we do not miss this opportunity. It’s time to initiate the process of genuine state-building.” A 10-member delegation of the Revolutionary Workers Party, led by its general secretary Saiful Haque, joined the talks with Prof Ali Riaz presiding. Consensus Commission members Safar Raj Hossain, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar and Dr Iftekharuzzaman were present at the discussion, moderated by Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider.

Ganasamhati Andolon joined talks with the National Consensus Commission on Sunday morning. The discussion began at 10:15 am with National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Prof Ali Riaz in the chair. A 10-member delegation of Ganasamhati Andolon, led by its Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki, participated in the discussion at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Consensus Commission members Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar and Dr Iftekharuzzaman 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. Jamaat joins talks with Consensus Commission The commission has already held talks with 17 political parties, including BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and 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 critical reforms.

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said his party is extending sincere cooperation to the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. “We are cooperating with the reform initiatives with transparency, sincerity and seriousness in all matters,” he said ahead of the second day of talks between the BNP and the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex. A five-member BNP delegation, led by Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan, joined the talks that began at 11:00am with National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Prof Ali Riaz in the chair. BNP joins 2nd day talks with Consensus Commission The BNP delegation also included Chairperson’s Advisory Council Member Ismail Jabiullah, former secretary Abu Mohammad Moniruzzaman and former Supreme Court Bar Association General Secretary Barrister Ruhul Kuddus Kajol. Earlier on Thursday, the BNP participated in the opening round of discussions held from 10:35am to 4:45pm. The National Consensus Commission launched its dialogue process with political parties on March 20, aiming to build a unified position on key reform proposals initiated by the interim government. So far, it has held talks with 13 political parties. Dr Yunus to succeed in bringing positive changes, hopes Fakhrul Formed on February 15, 2025, under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, the Commission is tasked with shaping a shared national stance on critical reforms.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) joined the ongoing dialogue with the National Consensus Commission on Thursday morning. The Commission is holding a series of talks with political parties to forge a national consensus on state reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. A BNP delegation participated in the session that began at 10:35am at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.  The discussion is going on  with National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Prof Ali Riaz in the chair. BNP Standing Committee members Salahuddin Ahmed and Nazrul Islam Khan were among those representing the party. Gonoforum, Jamiat-e-Ulemaey Islam submit reform opinions to Consensus Commission Earlier, on April 16, a BNP delegation led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and voiced dissatisfaction over the meeting's outcome, particularly the absence of a specific election timeline. “We are not happy at all. We clearly stated that if the election is not held by December, the country’s political and social situation will worsen and become increasingly difficult to manage,” Mirza Fakhrul told reporters after the meeting. The National Consensus Commission began its dialogue process with political parties on March 20, aiming to build a shared position on key reform proposals initiated by the interim government.  So far, it has held talks with 11 political parties. Formed on February 15, 2025, under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, the Commission is tasked with shaping a unified national stance on critical reforms. In its initial phase, it compiled key recommendations from five reform commissions — addressing constitutional, public administration, electoral, judicial, and anti-corruption reforms — and shared them with 39 political parties for feedback.  Consensus Commission resumes talks with parties on reforms Saturday To date, 34 parties have responded. The Commission aims to complete its first round of talks with political parties by the first week of May, begin a second round in the second week of May, and reach a national consensus by mid-July.

Vice-Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Prof Ali Riaz said on Tuesday that the public aspiration for state reform could be fulfilled through the preparation of a new national charter. “The new national charter will fulfill the reform aspirations of people,” he said while addressing a dialogue between the commission and Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM).    An eight-member NDM delegation, led by its Chairman Bobby Hajjaj, joined the talks chaired by Prof Ali Riaz at the LD hall of the Jatiya Sangsad complex. Noting that the goal of the commission and political parties is one, Prof Riaz said, “We all are trying to formulate a national charter by finding a specific path for state reform." He said there may be further differences of opinion on the way to destination, but those can be overcome through negotiations.  “We can continue to uphold and further strengthen the unity that enabled us to defeat the fascist regime," said Prof Riaz. Later, the commission held two separate discussions with two more political parties with the Bangladesh Biplobi Communist League and Ganatantrik Biplobi Party there. Biplobi Communist League general secretary Iqbal Karim Jahid led his party team during the talks, while Ganatantrik Biplobi Party general secretary Moshrefa Mishu led her party delegation in the discussion. Commerce Adviser SK Bashir given charge of Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry During the discussions, Prof Riaz said the tenure of the consensus commission will expire on July 15 next. “We want to create a national charter in the shortest possible time, which depends on the cooperation of political parties. So far, we have received unprecedented, unimaginable and incredible cooperation from the political parties,” he said. The National Consensus Commission, formed under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, aims to establish a unified stance on critical reforms. Since its inception on February 15, 2025, the commission has been working to finalize recommendations for the state reform proposals. In the initial phase, key recommendations from five reform commissions — covering constitutional, public administration, electoral system, judiciary, and anti-corruption reforms — were compiled and shared with 39 political parties for their feedbacks. To date, 34 parties have responded. On March 20 last, the Consensus Commission opened the dialogue and already held talks with 11 political parties. The next dialogue will be held with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on April 17.

A seven-member ‘Jatiya Oaikymoto Commission’ headed by Prof Muhammad Yunus has been formed to consider and adopt the recommendations submitted by six commissions. A notification in this regard was issued by the Cabinet Division on Thursday. The commission’s other members are Constitutional Reform Commission chief Prof Ali Riaz, Public Administration Reform Commission chief Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, Police Reform Commission chief Safar Raj Hossain, Election Reform Commission chief Badiul Alam Majumder, Judiciary Reform Commission chief Justice Emdadul Haque and Anti-Corruption Reform Commission chief Dr Iftekharuzzaman. The newly formed commission will start functioning from February 15 and its tenure has been fixed for next six months. Election Commission formed with Nasir Uddin as CEC The commission will hold discussions with political parties and forces to form a national consensus to consider and accept the recommendations of the commissions formed for reforms in the election system, public administration, judiciary and anti-corruption, including police activities. The commission will recommend steps in this regard later. The office of the Chief Adviser will perform the secretarial duties of this commission while the office of the commission will be fixed by the government, reads the notification.

The Constitutional Reform Commission on Wednesday exchanged views with the members of civil society and different organisations. As part of the ongoing series of talks with different stakeholders, the views-exchange meeting was held at the Cabinet Room of Jatiya Sangsad. Justice Imman Ali, Raja Devasish Roy and Prof Rabiul Islam placed their recommendations over the constitutional reform at the event chaired by chairman of the reform commission Prof Ali Riaz. Besides, a total of 16 representatives raised different proposals from their respective organisations over the constitutional reform. Constitutional Reform Commission sits with Judiciary Reform Commission The representatives who came from different organisations included Roman Uddin and Apan Zahir of the Center for Governance Studies (CGS), Akhtar Hossain Khan of the Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB), Prof Mirza Taslima and Prof Kazi Maruful Islam of the University Teachers Network, Sanjida Islam Tuli and Mosfiqur Rahman Johan of Mayer Daak and Md Junaid and Millat Hossain of the Bangladesh Judicial Service Association. The other representatives are  Tamanna Singh Baraik and Puja Rani of the Dalit Women Forum, Nadira Parveen and Sultan Md Salauddin Siddique of the Nagorik Uddyog, Joya Sikder and Sudip Kumar Das of the Sampurna, and Najma Akhter of the Sammilit Garments Sramik Federation. Commission members Prof Sumaiya Khair, Barrister Imran Siddique, Prof Muhammad Ekramul Haque, Barrister M Moin Alam Ferozi, Firoz Ahmed and Mustain Billah were present at the meeting.