Consensus committee to start dialogue with political parties on 15 Feb
The Consensus Committee will initiate dialogue with political parties starting on 15 February, Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser, has said.
A press conference held at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital today, Shafiqul Alam stated that the first meeting would be held with all parties together "However, the exact format of the dialogue and the list of participating parties have yet to be finalised," he added.
BNP's support for govt reforms
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Regarding discussions between the BNP and Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus, Shafiqul Alam noted that the party has fully endorsed the interim government's reform initiatives. "They said, 'We stand by the government,'" he quoted BNP representatives as saying. While local elections were not a significant part of the discussion, the focus remained on national elections.
"During the meeting, BNP emphasised the need for stability and urged that elections be held as soon as possible. The Chief Adviser assured BNP that the Consensus Committee would work towards this goal," he added.
Rights Concerns
"BNP's delegation highlighted concerns about the large number of cases filed against opposition activists. In reply, Law Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul assured them that swift measures were being taken to withdraw false cases, though delays had occurred due to the public prosecutor fleeing. However, he confirmed that concrete steps were now underway to address the matter," Shafiqul Alam said.
He also mentioned that the BNP inquired about Operation Devil Hunt. In response, they were assured that from the outset, the Chief Adviser's office had issued specific directives prioritising the protection of human rights.
"Addressing BNP's concerns about the government's role in curbing ongoing violence, the chief adviser emphasised that the situation was stabilising due to appropriate measures taken by the government," Shafiqul Alam stated.
The upcoming dialogues are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the country's political landscape, with national elections and stability.
