The "8th Nahreen Khan Memorial Lecture" took place on Sunday, July 12, at the 'Manzur Elahi' Auditorium of East West University (EWU).
Renowned senior economist and chairperson of the board of trustees of EWU Prof Mohammed Farashuddin delivered the keynote address.
In his speech titled "Constitutional Reform and Democratic Governance: A Bangladesh Perspective," Farashuddin presented a comprehensive set of proposals to accelerate the country’s balanced progress.
He suggested that, instead of electing Members of Parliament (MPs) through a proportional representation system in general elections, proportional allocation could be introduced in the Upper House of Parliament.
Additionally, he argued that MPs should be allowed to vote independently on all legislative matters, except for constitutional amendments, motions of no confidence, and money bills.
He also advised lawmakers to avoid direct involvement in local administrative and developmental activities.
Emphasizing the need for financial discipline, the former Governor of Bangladesh Bank strongly recommended granting constitutional status to the position of Governor of Bangladesh Bank.
Furthermore, he proposed that the responsibility of appointing all constitutional positions should be vested in the Honorable President of Bangladesh. To streamline public administration, he advocated for the formation of a highly competent and high-powered administrative reform commission.
Highlighting urban planning and economic growth, Farashuddin stressed the urgent need to establish a Metropolitan Authority, similar to that of Delhi, to develop the suburbs surrounding the capital city, Dhaka.
He noted that by implementing an automated tax revenue collection system, ensuring neutral placements in public administration, and adhering strictly to the principle of rewarding the virtuous while punishing the unjust, Bangladesh could achieve a governance framework rooted in equality, dignity, and social justice, as envisioned during the Liberation War.
The event also featured addresses from Prof Shams Rahman, vice chancellor of East West University; Fakrul Alam, retired professor from the Department of English at the University of Dhaka; Sohrab Hasan, senior journalist; and Air Commodore (Retd.) Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury, treasurer of East West University.
Members of the board of trustees, faculty, students, administrative staff of the university, and family members of the late Nahreen Khan were also present at the occasion.
The memorial lecture is organized annually in honor of the late Nahreen Khan, an alumna of East West University and the daughter of the late Dr Akbar Ali Khan, renowned economist and former adviser to the caretaker government.