Bangladesh, July 16 -- The government has decided to pursue constitutional reform through a special parliamentary committee, rejecting the opposition's demand for a separate Constitution Reform Council, setting the stage for a fresh political confrontation over the country's constitutional future.

Government leaders say any constitutional changes must be made within the existing legal framework. The 12-member special parliamentary committee will hold consultations with political parties and other stakeholders before submitting recommendations, which will form the basis of the proposed 18th Constitutional Amendment Bill to be placed before parliament.

The opposition, however, has rejected the move, insisting that the July National Chart...