Before the Constitutional Reform Commission could begin its primary work, Supreme Court lawyer Shahdeen Malik has been replaced as head by eminent political analyst Ali Riaz.
However, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Water Resources, stated that Shahdeen Malik himself has decided to step down from the commission's leadership role.
When contacted by phone for comments, an assistant named Ripon said that Shahdeen Malik had requested not to make any comment on the matter.
On Wednesday afternoon, it was suddenly announced that Professor Ali Riaz has been appointed as the head of the Constitutional Reform Commission, as stated in a notification from the Cabinet Division.
The notification mentioned that during a speech on September 11, Chief Advisor Dr Muhammad Yunus announced the formation of six commissions for reforms and named their heads.
Shahdeen Malik was originally named as the head of the constitutional reform commission, but Ali Riaz has now been included in that role.
Political scientist Ali Riaz is a distinguished professor at Illinois State University, a senior non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council, and president of the American Institute of Bangladesh Studies (AIBS).
Syeda Rizwana Hasan told Bangla Tribune that he felt he was not in the physical condition to lead the reform team.
“However, he will still be involved in the process. "Not just the constitutional reform commission, but there are many other commissions, including the judiciary, where he has much to contribute," she added.
Following the announcement, when Shahdeen Malik was contacted, a person named Ripon answered the call and said: “Sir will not comment on this for the next week.. I am instructed to say 'no comments'. I have also been asked to convey that.”
When asked if Shahdeen Malik himself decided not to take the role as commission head, Ripon reiterated: “No comments.”
Professor Ali Riaz is currently in the United States and will need to take leave from his position to return and assume the role of commission head.
Chief Advisor is scheduled to hold the first meeting with the heads of the new six commissions on Thursday.
On September 11, during his address to the nation, the Chief Advisor stated: “We want to start anew as a nation through reforms. The decision has been made to initially form six commissions as a preliminary step for these reforms.”
