Ali Riaz affirms Charter signing readiness, hopes for ‘festive’ environment

Brushing aside claims of disruption as mere “confusion”, National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Ali Riaz has expressed hope for a joyful environment at the July Charter signing.

He said some “confusion” has been spread by different sides, resulting in calls from many political leaders and journalists.

Riaz affirmed on behalf of the commission that preparations from their side are nearly complete.

“With the cooperation we continue to receive from you, we are optimistic that we will complete this signing ceremony in a joyous atmosphere,” he said.

On Wednesday evening, Riaz spoke during a welcome address at an urgent meeting with political party leaders.

The meeting, which started shortly after 6:30pm at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, was presided over by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, commission’s president and chairman.

Riaz said: “Standing at the parliament plaza one day later on Friday, we hope to sign the National Charter, which you have participated in through the process and reached this point overcoming obstacles.”

He added that the commission had prioritised holding the ceremony without delay rather than taking additional time for arrangements.

“Each political party was informed in advance, and the names of the signatories from every party were submitted quite some time ago,” Riaz said, expressing gratitude for the cooperation.

He thanked the parties and said they want guests from different political parties, in addition to national leaders, to attend the event.

Considering this, the commission’s vice-chairman said they have requested guest lists from all parties.

He noted that invitation letters will be sent from Thursday. Arrangements will also be made to ensure that representatives of all parties can sign the Charter quickly during the ceremony.

Earlier in the afternoon, Yunus met with the commission members before the emergency meeting was convened.

The interim government is preparing to hold the Charter signing at the South Plaza of the parliament on Friday.

On Tuesday evening, the commission sent the final version of the July Charter to 32 political parties and one alliance.

The Consensus Commission finalised 84 reform points on 17 areas of state reform based on full consensus among the participating parties.

Another 67 issues remain where some parties registered dissenting opinions.

Of the 84 reform points, 47 have been marked as requiring constitutional amendments, while the remaining 37 can be implemented through laws, ordinances, regulations or executive orders.

The 40-page Charter outlines the background of the July reforms and details the commission’s activities, listing the 84 agreed reform proposals.

Each section concludes with space for the participating parties to sign.