Staff Correspondent:

The United Nations considers political reforms in Bangladesh an internal matter, said BNP leaders following a roundtable discussion on reform proposals on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters after the discussion, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they had told the UN that reforms should be implemented as soon as possible, with a focus on the election.

“We have insisted that reforms must be carried out without delay. We were the first party to raise the issue of reforms. It is essential that these reforms are completed promptly, particularly in relation to the upcoming election,” he said.

The BNP leader said they also said the parliament that will be formed through the election will implement the remaining reforms. “We’ve said it’s a continuous process.”

Party standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said, “The UN has said it’s an internal affair of Bangladesh, and it is for you (politicians) to sit together and determine what reforms will be made.”

He also mentioned that the UN expressed hope that a strong democratic government would be established in Bangladesh through the upcoming election.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres joined the roundtable discussion on reform proposals participated by representatives of political parties, National Consensus Building Commission and other stakeholders.

On behalf of BNP, party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed joined the meeting.

UN Under Secretary General Rabab Fatima, Bangladesh’s Law Adviser Dr Asif, and representatives of different other political parties, Prof Ali Riaz, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Badiul Alam Majumdar and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis were, among others, present at the dialogue held at Hotel InterContinenta