The third session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad will begin on Thursday afternoon, with the formation of key parliamentary standing committees and the tabling of crucial legislative bills topping the agenda.
The proceedings are scheduled to commence at 3pm with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad presiding, following a recess of approximately 42 days.
While the exact duration of the session will be finalised on Thursday afternoon by Parliament’s Business Advisory Committee, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni confirmed it is expected to be brief—likely lasting between five and ten days depending on the legislative workload.
The session will be assisted by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaisar Kamal. This follows the previous budget session, which ran from 7 June to 15 July and saw the passage of the national budget alongside 10 government bills.
Priority on parliamentary committees
Speaking to reporters at the Parliament Bhaban on Wednesday afternoon, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni stressed that forming the remaining parliamentary standing committees is the government’s top priority.
He assured that these committees would be finalised as soon as the opposition coalition submits its list of nominees.
To date, the 13th Parliament has established 15 parliamentary standing committees, comprising nine ministry-specific and six subject-specific committees.
The ministerial committees cover sectors including liberation war affairs, home, foreign affairs, commerce, water resources, industries, planning, finance, and law.
While ruling party and allied members chair these ministerial committees, the subject-based Public Accounts Committee is chaired by Deputy Leader of the Opposition Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher.
Crucial bills to be tabled
Approximately six major bills are expected to be introduced during this session, focusing on property transfer, enforced disappearances, and human rights protection.
Highlighting the proposed property transfer legislation, the Chief Whip explained that it includes a clause ensuring that parents who transfer property to their children will retain full possession and usage rights as long as they live.
This measure is designed to protect elderly parents from neglect by their offspring following property handovers.
Constitutional amendment proposal
Addressing constitutional reforms, Moni revealed a proposal to form a 17-member constitution amendment committee.
The proposed composition includes seven representatives from the BNP, five from Jamaat-e-Islami, and one member from each of the smaller political parties. Opposition representatives will be formally included once their nominations are submitted.
Meanwhile, a 12-member special committee chaired by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed was constituted on 13 July to oversee constitutional revisions.
Although the opposition supports reforms in line with the July Charter, they have withheld their five designated representatives due to principled objections regarding the committee’s formation process.
The government has kept this invitation open, and the special committee has already initiated its work.
The Chief Whip defended constitutional modification as a healthy democratic practice, pointing out that India has amended its constitution 106 times in the last 76 years.
“Even the alteration of a single comma, full stop, or semicolon constitutes constitutional reform,” he remarked, reiterating the government’s commitment to implementing every pledge signed by political parties at the parliament’s South Plaza under the July Sanad.
Moni affirmed that Tarique Rahman assumed the office of Prime Minister on the basis of public trust in the electoral manifesto derived from this charter, adding that laws will be created or revised to protect the national interest.
Call for cooperation and patience
Moni urged the opposition to play a constructive role by raising public grievances and debating policies on the floor of the House rather than instigating unrest outside.
“We want the opposition to highlight government errors, ensure accountability, and find solutions through democratic debate,” he said, warning that street movements could inadvertently pave the way for a return to autocracy.
He stated that the accomplishments achieved through 17 years of imprisonment, disappearances, and torture must not be compromised.
On public expectations, the Chief Whip asked citizens for patience, arguing that a six-month-old administration cannot resolve deep-seated structural issues overnight. “Building a power plant takes a minimum of two years under the most favourable conditions,” he noted.
He heavily criticised energy agreements signed under the previous regime, accusing them of creating long-term financial liabilities while incorporating indemnity clauses that shielded these deals from legal scrutiny.
Describing the power contract with Adani as a “grave crime,” Moni explained that it forced Bangladesh to purchase electricity at exorbitant rates and called for collective effort to mitigate the resulting economic strain.
Opposition preparing to highlight public woes
The opposition has indicated plans to be highly vocal during this session, targeting issues such as fuel oil, gas, and power crises, severe load-shedding, law and order conditions, public suffering, and allegations of partisan appointments in public administration.
To prevent disruptions, the administration has reinforced security around the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban and its vicinity.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed has issued a public notice banning all forms of meetings, rallies, processions, demonstrations, and the carrying of weapons or explosives.
The restriction took effect at midnight on Wednesday and will remain in place until the prorogation of the third session.
The restricted zones encompass the areas stretching from:
- Mohakhali crossing via the old airport to Bangla Motor
- Bangla Motor-Sonargaon Road
- Panthapath-Farmgate
- Shyamoli to Dhanmondi-16
- Rokeya Sarani to Vijay Sarani
- Indira Road to Manik Mia Avenue
- All roads, alleys, and reserved areas within the designated perimeter of the national parliament building.
