Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has proposed state reforms in 10 sectors, including key changes to the judiciary, the electoral system, abolition of EVMs, and police law reforms. The party placed 41 proposals for the state reform.
The party also called for increasing the age limit for government jobs to 35 years and raising the retirement age to 62.
Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher presented the ‘State Reform Proposal’ on behalf of the party at a press conference at the Westin hotel at Gulshan in the capital on Wednesday. Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Dr. Shafiqur Rahman was present at the time.
At the outset of his speech, Dr Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher prayed for those who lost their lives during the July-August movement, calling on Allah to accept them as martyrs.
He accused the Awami League of establishing authoritarian control over the country, saying, “Awami League entrenched its power through
dictatorship, capturing the administration, executive branch, and judiciary. Thousands of cases were filed to create a reign of oppression.”
Dr. Taher emphasised the need for a separation between the judiciary and the executive branch. “To ensure justice, the judiciary must be reformed,” he said, adding that civil cases should be resolved within five years and criminal cases within three years.
The Jamaat-e-Islami also reiterated its demand for the reinstatement of the caretaker government system for national elections, accusing the Awami League of dismantling the electoral process. “The ruling party destroyed the electoral system by abolishing the caretaker government," the party said, stressing the need for its permanent restoration and the cancellation of the EVM system.
The party also called for reforms in police laws, proposing the creation of an independent commission for transfers and promotions to eliminate political interference. Dr. Taher advocated for incorporating religious and moral education into police training and reducing the use of lethal weapons.
On government employment, Jamaat-e-Islami proposed that job applications should be free of charge and that the maximum age limit for entry into government jobs be raised to 35 years for the next two years and then set permanently at 33 years, with retirement at 62. The party also demanded the cancellation of appointments obtained through leaked examination papers or corruption. Strengthening the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to operate independently was another key recommendation.
The Jamaat proposed a two-term limit for anyone holding the office of Prime Minister, advocating for a balance of power between the Prime Minister and the President.
The party also suggested reforms in the cultural and educational sectors, recommending the inclusion of teachings about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in all levels of education. They further called for the elimination of obscenity in films, television dramas, and digital content.
On foreign policy, Dr. Taher emphasised the importance of fair and balanced relations with neighboring countries, particularly on shared rivers with China, Nepal, and India. Jamaat also urged the government to take effective steps to reduce the costs of Hajj and Umrah for pilgrims.
Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman demanded that those involved in genocide who had fled the country be brought back and tried in court.
When asked about the sequence of elections and reforms, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that there would be two roadmaps—one for reforms and one for elections. He emphasized that neither process should be excessively long or rushed, noting, “There are many political parties in the country. For a vibrant parliament, the public must vote for the right candidates, not just the party.”
