Ali Riaz calls for restructuring constitution, govt institutions

Esteemed Academic and Professor of Politics and Government at Illinois State University Ali Riaz has said that restructuring various government institutions, including the constitution, has become necessary besides arranging a free and fair election and bringing back democratic rule in the country.

Riaz made the comment at a press briefing titled “Conversation for Democratic Restructuring” at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital today (29 August).

During the briefing, Ali Riaz said, “There is no alternative to rewriting the constitution. The scope to amend the current constitution is limited as one-third of it is beyond any change due to their inclusion in the basic structure. There are some parts without removing which the government cannot do anything. That’s why I’m talking about rewriting.”

“All the state institutions have been destroyed to prolong the one-party rule. Bangladesh is currently standing at a critical juncture and the problems that the country is facing have to be solved by rebuilding the institutions,” Ali Riaz Added.

Ali Riaz, also an adviser of the Center for Governance Studies, added that there are many challenges in front of the new government and the damage that was done to the autonomy of the constitutional institutions has created distrust among the public.

When asked about publication of Bangladesh-related news in the Indian media, Ali Riaz said that Indian disinformation and misinformation have to be dealt with publication of true facts.

About the financial sector, Ali Riaz commented that the economic policies taken by the previous government was directed at a vested quarter making all the profits.

“Groups were formed in the banking and energy sectors who have done irreparable damage to the country’s economy. Loan defaulters were spared, while some people continued to accumulate money spent as subsidy, exacerbating the suffering of the common people,” Ali Riaz added.