Dhaka, Jan 18 (V7N) — Asif Nazrul, legal advisor to the interim government, emphasized the ongoing need for judicial reforms and the independence of the judiciary in a speech on Sunday. He said that all judicial powers currently rest with the High Court, and reforms remain necessary at multiple levels.

Nazrul delivered the remarks at the policy dialogue titled “Independence of the Judiciary and the Rule of Law”, organized by the Center for Governance Studies (CGS) at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital.

Highlighting the progress made so far, he said, “Some critics exaggerate the lack of reforms. If the expectation is ten reforms, at least four have already been achieved.” He noted, however, that police reforms have not progressed as expected.

Addressing judicial appointments, Nazrul controversially stated that someone who has been chanting party slogans like “Joy Bangla” or “Bangladesh Zindabad” for ten years cannot become a judge. He added that certain reforms in the High Court will be implemented by the High Court itself.

Nazrul concluded by emphasizing the government’s commitment to legal reforms: “We have taken all necessary steps to enact laws ensuring the independence of the judiciary. It will take another five to ten years to fully establish the rule of law. If the elected government continues this path, the people will benefit from these reforms.”

END/SMA/AJ