Formal talks with political parties over reforms likely in February: Rizwana

News Desk ::The interim government may start formal talks with political parties in February next for reaching a consensus over the reform initiatives, said Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today (15 January).

“I think the talks with political parties could be started in the middle of February next,” she said at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy after the submission of the reports of the four reform commissions.

Rizwana also said, “A one-month extension has been granted to six reform commissions to complete their tasks. The complete reports of these commissions will be published by 31 January. For now, only the main points and summaries will be published on the commission’s respective websites today.

“Any recommendations or feedback received regarding these reports will also be shared today.”

Rizwana believes it is possible to create a roadmap within a month. The adviser further said, “These independent commissions will sit and decide the next steps, and they will decide where their priorities should be.”

At the conference, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said if the coronation works can be finished quickly, the formal talks with political parties can be opened in the first week of February.

Earlier, the chiefs of four commissions — Constitutional Reform Commission, Electoral Reform Commission, Police Administration Reform Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Reform Commission– submitted their reports to Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus at his office.

Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam also spoke.