BSS:

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Saturday said, the first phase of the interim government has ended and the second phase has begun through political dialogue.

Yunus made the remark at the first meeting of the National Consensus Commission with political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.

CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters about the chief adviser’s statement during a break for Asr prayers.

During the meeting, Yunus urged the political parties to reach a consensus in implementing the proposals placed by six reform commissions, reports BSS.

“The six reform commissions tried their best in providing recommendations to build a new Bangladesh… Now our tasks are how and how much we will accept and implement those,” he said.

The chief adviser said the government is working towards building a Bangladesh that enjoys the support of the international community, major global nations, the people of the country and even the full backing of the United Nations, Press Secretary Shafiqul said.

The chief adviser also highlighted the findings of the UN Human Rights Commission’s report on the July mass uprising, which revealed the horrific killings that occurred and identified those responsible. The report, he stated, also exposed the human rights violations that took place at that time.

“The second journey of the government has begun today through this meeting and it will be decided through this meeting what kind of Bangladesh we want in the future,” the press secretary said.

Shafiqul also said, “Today is a historic day as the meeting of political parties with the National Consensus Commission has begun.”

He added that around 100 politicians from 26 parties and alliances attended the meeting, with all invitees present.

‘NO CHANCE TO FAIL OVER REFORMS’

The chief adviser said if reforms could not be brought in the state structure, all efforts of the interim government will fall in flat.

“We have no chance to fail [over reforms]. We don’t want to fail,” he said.

About the overwhelming global support for the interim government, Prof Yunus said all countries – small, medium and big ones – have provided support for the Bangladesh interim government.

“Once we talk to them [global leaders], they ask what you seek, we will give all…we do not want to leave this opportunity,” he said.

Calling the reform proposals of the six reform commissions as valuable assets, the Chief Adviser said all should help the interim government implement the reform proposals.

Claiming that the United Nations (UN) has provided support for the government, Prof Yunus said the recent UN Fact-Finding report has changed the world revealing the atrocities of the ousted government.

The meeting started at 3:20pm with 26 political parties, including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, as well as the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, on the recommendations submitted by the six key reform commissions.

Yunus, the chairman of the commission, is presiding over the meeting.

Other members of the Consensus Commission are — Prof Ali Riaz, head of the Constitution Reform Commission; Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, head of the Public Administration Reform Commission; Safar Raj Hossain, head of the Police Reform Commission; Badiul Alam Majumder, head of Electoral Reform Commission; Justice Emdadul Haque, head of Judiciary Reform Commission; and Dr Iftekharuzzaman, head of Anti-Corruption Reform Commission — are also present at the meeting.

He also said that the key points of discussion would include reforms and national unity against fascism.

A six-member BNP delegation, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, entered the meeting venue at around 2:55pm.

The convoy carrying Yunus entered the venue at 3pm.

A five-member Jamaat delegation, led by Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, entered the academy at 3:10pm.

Around the same time, Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, also entered the academy to attend the meeting.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chairman Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed, Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Jatiya Party (Zafar) leader Mostafa Jamal Haldar, Bangladesh Jatiya Party Chairman Andaleeve Rahman Partha, Bangladesh LDP Chairman Shahadat Hossain Selim, Islami Andolan Presidium Member Syed Mohammad Mosaddeq Billah Al Madani leading a three-member delegation, AB Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju, Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur, Gono Forum Presidium Member Subrata Chowdhury, along with leaders of the Ganosamhati Andolon, Jatiyatabadi Samamana Jote and Bangladesh Labour Party, are also attending the meeting.

Leaders of several other political parties are at the meeting as well.

Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and Secretary General Ahmad Abdul Kader entered the Foreign Service Academy at around 2:45pm.

Earlier, on 12 February, the interim government formed the seven-member National Consensus Commission to review and adopt the recommendations submitted by six reform commissions.

The Consensus Commission will discuss the recommendations of the reform commissions with the political parties to reach a consensus on many political, constitutional, and electoral reform agendas.

The Consensus Commission aims to complete its consensus-building tasks within six months, starting on the day (Saturday). The Chief Adviser’s Office is providing secretarial service to the commission.