National Consensus Commission Finalizes Recommendations for July Charter Implementation
The National Consensus Commission (NCC) is set to deliver its final recommendations to the government by October 15, following a series of discussions with political parties regarding the implementation of the July National Charter 2025. This development marks a significant step in the country’s constitutional reform process.
The announcement was made after the commission concluded its fifth meeting with political parties in the capital. During a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy, Vice-Chair of the NCC, Prof Ali Riaz, highlighted that the commission has reviewed all discussions and is now preparing to submit its recommendations based on expert opinions.
Prof Riaz emphasized that the expert panel unanimously proposed five key measures for implementing the July National Charter. These include:
- The promulgation of a special order and the holding of a national referendum to implement the charter.
- The same order must be endorsed through a national referendum.
- The referendum should be held on two separate questions—one to reflect consensus and another to address disagreement.
- A Constitutional Reform Council and the 13th National Parliament should be formed through elections.
- After the referendum’s approval, the reforms outlined in the charter must be incorporated into the constitution within a specific timeframe.
In addition to these proposals from the experts, political parties also submitted their own suggestions. Some parties recommended holding the referendum on the same day as the national election, while others preferred it to take place before the polls. Despite these differences, all parties agreed that Parliament should have the authority to make structural changes to the constitution for implementing the July Charter.
“We will finalize and submit our recommendations to the government within a day or two,” said Prof Riaz. “All participating parties and alliances will be formally notified.”
Ongoing Discussions and Upcoming Events
The NCC continues its discussions with experts over the implementation of the July Charter. Prof Riaz mentioned that the commission’s term will end on October 15, and it plans to host a signing ceremony for the July Charter before that date.
He noted that more than three-fourths of the political parties have already submitted their names for participation in the process, with the remaining expected to do so in the coming days. A comprehensive report from the commission will be published between October 18 and 19, summarizing its one-year consultations and detailing the entire process from drafting the July Charter to proposing the referendum.
“We hope to complete all tasks within the next seven days with everyone’s cooperation,” said Prof Riaz. “If all goes well, we’ll hold the signing ceremony by the 15th.”
Key Steps in the Process
The NCC’s efforts are aimed at ensuring a smooth transition toward implementing the July National Charter. The proposed steps include:
- Finalizing the recommendations for the government.
- Conducting a national referendum to endorse the special order.
- Forming a Constitutional Reform Council and the 13th National Parliament through elections.
- Incorporating the reforms from the charter into the constitution within a specified timeframe.
- Hosting a signing ceremony for the July Charter before the commission’s term ends.
These steps are critical in shaping the future of the country’s governance structure and ensuring that the July Charter is implemented effectively.
