The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) hosted a workshop on Wednesday focusing on its '31-Point Outline for Structural Reforms in Bangladesh,' unveiled by the party last year. The initiative aims to reform the constitution and state system while ensuring economic emancipation.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman addressed the workshop as the chief guest via video link from the BNP Chairperson's political office in Gulshan.

The workshop was organized by the BNP's training affairs committee and saw participation from central leaders of the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD).

Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, a member of the BNP standing committee, presided over the workshop. Other notable attendees included standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan and Salahuddin Ahmed, BNP Chairperson's advisory council member Ismail Zabihullah, and Dr. Mahdi Amin, an advisor to Tarique Rahman, who served as trainers.

During the event, speakers emphasized the need for the victory of democratic forces through free, fair, impartial, and participatory elections to restore the people's rights and ownership of the state. They noted that a consensus national government would undertake transformative reforms based on the outlined 31 points after achieving electoral success.

The 31-point outline includes the following key proposals:

1. Formation of a Constitutional Reform Commission
2. Establishment of a National Reconciliation Commission
3. Reintroduction of a neutral caretaker government system
4. Ensuring the balance of state power
5. Specifying the term of office for the Prime Minister
6. Introducing an upper chamber legislative assembly
7. Amending Article 70 of the Constitution
8. Reforming the Election Commission and electoral system, including related laws
9. Reconstituting all state, constitutional, and statutory institutions
10. Establishment of a Judicial Commission and reintroduction of the Supreme Judicial Council
11. Formation of an Administrative Reforms Commission
12. Creation of a Media Commission
13. Implementation of visible and effective anti-corruption measures and appointment of an ombudsman
14. Establishing the rule of law and protecting human rights
15. Formation of an Economic Reforms Commission
16. Guaranteeing maximum religious freedom
17. Ensuring fair wages for workers in light of inflation
18. Modernizing the power, mineral, industry, and energy sectors and establishing good governance
19. Developing foreign relations with a priority on national interest
20. Keeping defence forces above all controversies
21. Empowering local government institutions to enhance decentralization
22. Granting state status and recognition to martyred freedom fighters
23. Formulating modern and effective youth development policies
24. Taking appropriate steps to empower women
25. Cultivating an educated population capable of addressing future challenges
26. Realizing the policy of "Health for All"
27. Ensuring fair pricing for agricultural products
28. Modernizing transportation infrastructure, including roads, railways, and waterways, to establish a multidimensional communication system
29. Implementing effective measures to address climate change and natural disasters
30. Developing the information and communication technology, space research, and nuclear energy sectors for optimal resource utilization
31. Formulating and executing modern, planned, and environmentally friendly housing and urbanization policies.

This 31-point outline draws inspiration from BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman's '19-point' framework and the '27-point' program established by the party’s Chairperson and former Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia. The points were later amended and expanded with input from all political parties involved in the simultaneous movement.

4o mini