Yunus says July Charter must be prioritised alongside election, justice

PARBATTA NEWS DESK

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus said on Thursday the July Charter must be treated with the same importance as national elections and justice, describing reforms as one of the three core mandates of the interim government.

The comments came during a two-hour meeting of the National Consensus Commission at the State Guest House Jamuna, chaired by Yunus, his office said in a statement. The session discussed proposals for implementing the Charter as well as recommendations from political parties.

“The forthcoming national election in February is not just an ordinary poll, it is a foundational election that will set the course for the future of Bangladesh,” Yunus told the meeting. “We must finalise the key reforms before the election, keeping in mind that there is no alternative to holding the polls in the first half of February.”

The statement said the proposals of a six-member committee on implementing the July Charter were also presented. Commission members said a report will soon be submitted to the government.

The commission is scheduled to meet political parties again on Sept 14 to move the process forward, according to the statement.