Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told Parliament on Sunday that implementing the referendum verdict related to the July Charter would require amending the Constitution. He made the remarks around 12:15 p.m. in response to opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman’s comments on the July Charter. The minister emphasized that the government would follow the Charter strictly within the framework of existing laws and the Constitution.

Salahuddin Ahmed clarified that the President had convened a session of the National Parliament, not of any so-called “Reform Council.” He stated that under the current Constitution, no such council exists, and forming one would first require a constitutional amendment. The minister also noted that the legality of the proposed council under the July Charter has already been challenged in court, and a rule has been issued on the matter, which is now under judicial consideration.

He added that only after parliamentary discussion and constitutional amendment could the council be formally established and its members sworn in, if deemed necessary.