Desk Report,
Ali Riaz speaks Everyone agrees at the second phase of the discussion to conclude the unfinished discussions with political partiesPhoto: Shubhro Kanti Das Everyone agrees
Professor Ali Riaz, Vice-Chairman of the National Consensus Commission, said that except for the two parties, others have agreed to change the existing system in the appointment of the Chief Justice. He said that the discussion on this issue will be held again next week.
Ali Riaz said this after the second day of the second phase of the discussion with political parties on the issue of reforms at the Doel Hall of the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Tuesday.
Ali Riaz also said that the parties have agreed to keep the main opposition party in the four standing committees of public importance in Parliament. The committees are the Public Accounts Committee, the Privileges Committee, the Estimates Committee and the Public Undertakings Committee.
The parties have agreed on the independence of members of Parliament in matters other than money bills and confidence votes under Article 70 of the Constitution, said the Vice-Chairman of the Consensus Commission.
Ali Riaz also said that a consensus has been reached on the issue of determining 100 permanent seats for women’s representation in parliament. He said, “The method and structure in which women will be represented will be discussed later. We hope that a decision on this issue will be taken next week.”
Ali Riaz said that some parties have objected in principle to a bicameral parliament. He said, “The parties feel that there is a need to reconsider this issue. Progress is being made in the discussions. This is very positive. We will be able to prepare a national charter by July.”
Regarding the lack of representation of Jamaat in today’s discussions, the Vice-Chairman of the Consensus Commission said, “We are in constant contact with Jamaat and other political parties. We hope that they will participate tomorrow.”
