The country stands at a critical crossroads and requires national unity and a referendum to overcome the current crisis, said Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser. He described the July National Charter as a historic obligation of the people, “written in blood.”
Ali Riaz made the remarks on Tuesday morning at a view-sharing meeting at the Senate Building of the University of Dhaka. He said a referendum is essential to reflect the people’s will, particularly to ensure recruitment to public services based on merit and qualifications.
He added that there is no alternative to the July National Charter to guarantee minimum voting rights. Referring to the judiciary, Ali Riaz said judicial independence in Bangladesh has so far remained limited to “paper and pen,” stressing that constitutional amendments are necessary to make the judiciary truly independent.
Clarifying the nature of the current administration, he said the government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus is an interim government, not a caretaker government, and that calling it otherwise is a misinterpretation.
Emphasising public responsibility, Ali Riaz said the people must shape the country’s future and show the way forward, adding that the July National Charter is essential to ensure fundamental rights are never again undermined by the will of a single individual.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
