Dhaka, Oct. 6 -- Political parties participating in the National Consensus Commission's dialogue have reached near-final agreement on holding a national referendum to legally and constitutionally legitimise the July National Charter, marking a crucial step toward concluding the months-long reform negotiations.

Speaking to reporters after Sunday's session at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the parties were now in the "final stage" of the Charter's implementation process. "We are at a point where a broad consensus appears to have been achieved," he said.

Salahuddin explained that while political parties represent the people, a referendum would ensure direct public endorsement of th...