Law Adviser Asif Nazrul on Thursday expressed his disappointment over the growing rift among political parties concerning the proposed national referendum, calling the lack of consensus after prolonged discussions “deeply frustrating.”
During a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy, Nazrul addressed the issue of escalating tensions among political parties, which had been discussed during a recent Council of Advisers meeting.
He highlighted that the Consensus Commission had put forward two options – one, to implement the July Charter first and hold the referendum afterward, and the other, to leave the matter to the elected parliament.
The disagreement on which option to choose has led to sharp divisions, with parties unable to agree on the timing of the referendum.
Nazrul warned that any attempt by a political party to unilaterally impose its position on the government would contradict the spirit of the July discussions.
“If any party attempts to impose its stance, it undermines the essence of July. Regardless of the debates, the election is scheduled for the first half of February,” he stated.
He emphasised that ensuring a fair electoral environment is a shared responsibility between the government and political parties.
When asked about who would ultimately decide the timing of the referendum, Nazrul clarified that the Chief Adviser, Prof Muhammad Yunus, would make the final decision, with advisers assisting as necessary.
“This decision will be made by the Chief Adviser himself, and once it is made, we will fully support it. The decision is expected soon,” he added.
Addressing concerns about political ultimatums, Nazrul said that setting deadlines or enforcing a particular stance reflected a lack of consensus among political parties.
“They have had ample time for discussions. Their current disunity calls into question the spirit of July,” he added.
Nazrul also provided an update on the July Charter’s implementation, noting that the feasibility of automatic implementation within the 270-day window was under review.
He stated that the Council of Advisers had held preliminary talks about issuing an order to implement the July Charter and a final decision would be made shortly.
