Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman has stated that the implementation of the July Charter is entirely unrelated to whether the referendum is cancelled or not.
He made the remarks on Saturday while speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of a canal digging programme in Dhawra village under Shailkupa upazila of Jhenaidah.
He added that that the July Charter is a self-contained, active, and effective document. He clarified that the charter would be implemented by the Parliament through constitutional amendments, noting that the specific procedures for its execution are already outlined within the July Charter itself.
He further added that the BNP embraces the July Charter in spirit.
Regarding the fuel oil situation, he asserted that oil prices have not been increased. He issued a stern warning against those attempting to create an unstable environment, stating that legal action would be taken against black marketers and hoarders under the Special Powers Act.
He noted that the maximum penalty for such offences is the death sentence.
Speaking as a special guest at the event, state minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad maintained that there is no alternative to digging canals and rivers and evicting illegal occupiers to save the country. He vowed that all canals, water bodies, and rivers would be cleared of encroachers and re-excavated, regardless of how powerful the occupiers might be.
State minister also announced that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Shailkupa, Jhenaidah, between April 18 and 20 to participate in the canal digging programme.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Al Masud, Superintendent of Police Mahfuz Afzal, and District Council Administrator Abdul Majid, alongside various district and upazila-level officials and BNP leaders.
