The National Unity Commission (NUC) has withdrawn its earlier proposal to form a National Constitutional Council (NCC) and instead suggested creating a ‘constitutional and constitutionally mandated appointment committee’ to oversee key appointments in constitutional bodies.

The commission’s co-chairman, Professor Ali Riaz, announced the decision on Wednesday (June 25) after the second round of discussions with political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

He said the change was made in response to the concerns, objections, and differing opinions expressed by political parties regarding the NCC proposal.

Under the new proposal, the appointment committee will exclude top executive and judiciary officials such as the president and the chief justice.

The committee will include the speakers of both the upper and lower houses of parliament, provided the upper house is formed.

The committee’s authority will be strictly limited to the appointment processes of constitutional and constitutionalized institutions. However, appointments of the chiefs of the army, navy, air force, and the attorney general will remain outside the committee’s jurisdiction.

The revision aims to address political apprehensions while ensuring a fair and transparent appointment process for key constitutional bodies.

MSK/