Dhaka, Oct 17 (V7N) — The July National Charter signing ceremony began at 4:35 pm on Friday (October 17) at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, slightly delayed due to inclement weather. The event opened with the national anthem.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, chief advisor to the interim government, attended the ceremony, along with leaders from various political parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the People's Rights Council. However, the Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) did not attend.

Among the notable attendees were BNP standing committee members Salahuddin Ahmed and Mirza Abbas, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb Amir Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher and lawyer Shishir Monir, Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Mass Movement Chief Coordinator Jonayed Saki, Islami Andolan Bangladesh Presidium member Ashraf Ali Akon, and leaders from the People’s Rights Council. Several advisors and members of the Consensus Commission were also present.

The ceremony, initially scheduled to begin at 4 pm, faced disruption around 1 pm when a group posing as July fighters took positions at the venue with various demands. The incident led to clashes with police, brick-throwing, and arson. Later, rain caused further delays, pushing the ceremony’s start to 4:35 pm.

It is noteworthy that the National Citizens Party (NCP) had announced on Thursday (October 16) that it would not participate unless assurances were given on the draft of the charter implementation mechanism, a pre-election referendum, the legal basis of the charter, and constituent powers for the next parliament.

END/SMA/AJ