Yunus optimistic political parties will soon sign ‘July Charter’

Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus expressed optimism that the country’s political parties will soon sign a ‘July Charter’ on key constitutional and political reforms, aimed at preventing the rise of another autocratic leader in Bangladesh.

He made the remarks on Wednesday (24 September) during a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN Headquarters. Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar provided the details.

According to him, the two leaders discussed a range of important issues, including Bangladesh’s upcoming national elections, reform measures adopted by the Interim Government, Pakistan’s recent devastating floods, bilateral trade and investment, and ways to enhance regional cooperation.

The Chief Adviser expressed deep condolences for the loss of over a thousand lives in the recent floods in Pakistan. During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the growing impact of climate change as a key reason for the increasing frequency and severity of such disasters.

Dr. Yunus said that Bangladesh is on track to hold national elections in February next year and expressed hope that the major political reforms proposed by the 11 National Commissions would pave the way for meaningful political transformation.

He added that the National Consensus Commission and the political parties are in the final stage of discussions and expressed hope that the parties will soon sign the ‘July Charter’ on the main constitutional and political reforms.

The two leaders also explored alternative ways to strengthen regional cooperation amid the effective dormancy of SAARC. Shehbaz Sharif invited Dr. Yunus to visit Pakistan before the Interim Government’s term ends.

The meeting was attended by National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Principal Secretary of the Chief Adviser Siraj Uddin Mia, and SDG Chief Coordinator Lamiya Morshed.