Dr. Muhammad Yunus to lead National Consensus Commission starting February 15

The interim government has formed a seven-member National Consensus Commission, with Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the helm as the Chief Advisor. 

This announcement came on Wednesday through a formal notification from the Cabinet Division, issued by the Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Sheikh Abdur Rashid, following the directive of the President.

The commission is set to function for six months, beginning on February 15. 

Dr. Yunus will serve as the commission’s chairman, while Professor Ali Riaz, who heads the Constitutional Reform Commission, will act as vice-chairman.

In addition to Dr. Yunus and Professor Riaz, the commission includes the heads of six other key commissions. 

Their main task is to facilitate dialogue with political parties and other important stakeholders to build a national consensus on various reforms. 

These reforms are expected to cover significant areas such as the electoral system, law enforcement, judiciary, public administration, the constitution, and anti-corruption measures.

As stated in the official notification, the commission will review the recommendations made by existing reform commissions in these sectors and suggest steps to implement them. 

The commission’s tenure will last for six months, during which the Chief Advisor’s office will provide necessary administrative and logistical support.

This announcement comes after Dr. Yunus, in his December 16 address to the nation, mentioned his plans to form such a commission to ensure transparency and inclusivity in the upcoming national elections.

The formation of this commission is seen as a critical move in the lead-up to the next national election, as it aims to create an environment of trust and cooperation among the political parties and the public.