NN Online:
Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Wednesday said the next government will find it difficult to ignore the public’s growing demand for reforms, especially in the wake of recent mass sacrifices and unrest.
Speaking as chief guest at a discussion on the draft Government Attorney Service Ordinance, 2025, held at the Judicial Administration Training Institute (JATI) in Dhaka, Dr Nazrul said, “The upcoming government will be taking office after a period marked by the martyrdom of over a thousand people and thousands more injured. The nation has never sacrificed so much for reform before—ignoring these expectations won’t be easy.”
He emphasized that the opportunity for meaningful reform must not be wasted, warning, “If we fail to repair the state now, uphold the rule of law, and ensure human rights, we may not get another chance in a generation.”
The event featured remarks from several high-profile legal figures, including Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, ICT Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam, and Law and Justice Division Secretary Sheikh Abu Taher. US Embassy Legal Advisor Rahul Kale and senior prosecutors and lawyers also participated.
Deputy Solicitor Dr Aminul Islam presented the draft ordinance and addressed attendees’ questions.
Dr Nazrul highlighted that a similar ordinance was introduced in 2008 but failed. “It was too ambitious and lacked political realism,” he noted. “This time, we’ve taken a more measured approach. Some political influence is inevitable in our context, so gradual reform is the practical path forward.”
Reflecting on missed opportunities in Bangladesh’s history—particularly after 1971 and 1991—Dr Nazrul stressed the urgency of acting now to institutionalize justice and governance reforms.
