Professor Ali Riaz, Vice-Chair of the National Consensus Commission, has stated that if political parties fail to agree on a single implementation process for the July Charter, the commission will prepare and present multiple alternative proposals.
He made the remarks on Sunday (October 5) during his opening speech at a meeting held at the Foreign Service Academy with representatives of various political parties.
According to Riaz, six different implementation proposals have already been submitted by the political parties. The commission had urged the parties to discuss these and work towards a unified, coordinated plan. “If the 30 parties present at this meeting can agree on a joint proposal, we will sincerely present it to the interim government,” he said.
He noted that the issues raised during the previous meeting on September 17 were shared with relevant experts and that their recommendations have been taken into account. “If consensus is achieved among the parties, the implementation process will be significantly smoother and faster,” Riaz added.
Earlier in the day, the commission also held a meeting with the Chief Advisor and the commission’s Chair. The Chief Advisor emphasized the urgency of moving forward and called for the July Charter to be formalized as an officially endorsed document with the signatures of participating political parties.
Ali Riaz said the commission aims to finalize the implementation framework by October 15. “Today, we expect clear, practical, and actionable proposals from the parties. If we receive a collective proposal that goes beyond partisan interests, it will be given the highest consideration,” he stated.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining the momentum of discussions despite the ongoing electoral activities. “We are monitoring this closely. If needed, we may consult with experts again, although that may not be necessary if political consensus is reached,” he added.
Concluding his remarks, Ali Riaz said, “Now is the time to fulfill the responsibility entrusted to us by the people of Bangladesh—earned through blood and sacrifice. We cannot ignore the 16 years of struggle and sacrifice by political activists. Signing the charter alone is not enough. Structural reforms are necessary to build an accountable state. Our collective efforts must be centered on ensuring the rights of all citizens.”
