Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya, has raised serious doubts about the feasibility of implementing state reforms, given that political parties have submitted "notes of dissent" on 10 out of the 19 core reform agendas. "Has even one reform been implemented in a year? No," he said. Criticizing the interim government for failing to meet public expectations, Manna added, "The government has achieved little over the past year, and it's unlikely to do much in the next six months either." He urged the government to hold elections promptly, warning that without them, it won’t be able to handle the growing political pressure. He also criticized civil servants: "Deputy commissioners are leading processions—has the Secretariat turned into Madhu's Canteen?"

Legal advisor Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul announced that Bangladesh is set to sign a new agreement with Saudi Arabia, one that neither India nor Pakistan has secured. This deal will provide Bangladeshis with more opportunities and benefits abroad. Advising those planning to go overseas, he emphasized researching thoroughly and cautioned against plunging into uncertain lives abroad. He suggested that if one has financial resources, starting a business in Bangladesh might be preferable.

Nazrul reminded expatriates that they represent Bangladesh overseas and should act responsibly to protect the country’s image. He praised remittance workers who supported the July movement despite risking their lives. The advisor also revealed that the government aims to do more for expatriates before the current administration ends, including constructing a hospital for them.

Notably, remittance inflows for the fiscal year 2024-25 have been largely positive, with $30.225 billion sent to the country from July 2024 to June 2025.

Badiul Alam Majumdar stated that if the upper house is formed based solely on seats from the lower house, there is no need for such an upper house. He added that proposals from the Constitution Reform Commission and Election System Reform Commission suggest that only the upper house should have proportional representation (PR). He believes the journey of reform can begin with this and be improved further later on.

At the event, Dr. A.K.M. Wahidul Karim, Dean of the Business and Economics School at North South University, presented the keynote paper. He proposed a system where 300 seats would be directly elected by vote, with additional seats allocated proportionally using a “Winner’s Premium” method. According to him, this method ensures proportional representation while maintaining direct accountability.

Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson for the Inquilab Manch, remarked that despite enjoying public support, the interim government remains weak and has yet to eliminate fascist elements from state institutions.

Addressing critics who claim no change has occurred since the July uprising, Hadi responded, “Ask yourselves—how many people have been disappeared or killed by the state in the past year?” He added, “The first condition of revolution is the destruction of fascist symbols. We’ve failed to do that.”

He concluded, “Only the oppressed truly understand the value of the revolution. Those who still don’t, never experienced that pain.”

Mahmud Hasan Khan, BGMEA president, announced that Bangladesh could receive extra tariff concessions if it uses at least 20% raw materials from the U.S., such as American cotton, in garment production. Currently, U.S. tariffs on Bangladesh exports total 36.5%, including a new 20% additional tariff. Continued negotiations with the U.S. are crucial for further reductions. The government is urged to support industries, especially small and medium factories, to offset rising costs and improve trade efficiency.

NCP leader Samanta Sharmin stated that if the upcoming national election fails to bring about meaningful changes in governance, it would amount to a betrayal of the July uprising.

Questioning whether the sacrifices made during the uprising were merely for another parliamentary election, she called for structural reforms and even proposed the drafting of a new constitution.

Sharmin believes the interim government has achieved some economic success but has politically failed. “The spirit of July is missing from the government's body language,” she said. She demanded transparency regarding who recommended the current advisors and how they were appointed.

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) has called for the modernization of the Companies Act 1994 to ensure better compliance and governance in businesses. At a recent workshop, experts emphasized that adherence to laws is vital for transparency, accountability, and global competitiveness. RJSC Registrar A.K.M. Nurunnabi Kabir highlighted the need to digitize share transfer processes and stressed regular AGMs and audit reports. Over 275,000 companies are registered with the RJSC, and enhancing compliance can ease access to government services and improve the business environment.

National Citizens’ Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam said reforms based on the July Charter will not be left to any elected government. Speaking at a Dhaka press conference, he stressed the need for legal backing and implementation before signing. He warned against extortion in the name of the July movement and urged administrative vigilance. The NCP, born from a mass uprising, will outline its vision, economic concerns, and law and order issues at an upcoming rally on August 3.

The landlord of the Ganoadhikar Parishad’s party office had locked the premises due to unpaid rent. The party’s chief, Nurul Haque Nur, was expected to visit Rajshahi on August 9 and intended to use the office. With police assistance, the office has now been reopened. The landlord explained that the house was initially rented out expecting players to occupy it, but after noticing a political party’s signboard and the office remaining unused for months, rent payments stopped. Fearing theft, the landlord recently locked the office again. Leaders of Ganoadhikar Parishad claimed they were unable to use the office for four months and thus could not pay rent, but they pledged to pay the electricity bills.

BNP leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie has warned that if political parties fail to unite, everyone—including the general public—will face further oppression and persecution.

Speaking in Lakshmipur, he said, “When I or any of us are victimized, it’s not the same as when ordinary citizens suffer because of us. We must unite to strengthen the foundation of democracy and expedite the electoral process.”

Annie emphasized, “We are all warriors of July. It pains me to see infighting among July fighters in Shahbagh. This only benefits fascist forces.” He urged a united front against authoritarianism and demanded sustained democratic movement.

G.K. Gaus, BNP’s central organizing secretary, said, “Allah does not favor those who cross limits. We have repeatedly warned the Awami League to refrain from crossing boundaries, but who listens to whom?” He added that the Awami League once thought they could hold power over the people of the country indefinitely. Gaus criticized the party’s arrogance, stating, “Allah does not support the arrogant. Just as Allah destroyed Pharaoh and Nimrod, those who followed their path throughout history were also destroyed.” He further noted that a year ago, the Awami League’s cadres fled, marking the beginning of the party’s decline. Gaus urged learning lessons from the downfall of the Awami League.

BNP leader Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has strongly criticized ongoing debates around the proportional representation (PR) voting system, saying the sacrifices made during the July people's uprising were not for electoral technicalities but for the establishment of genuine democracy.

"Whether we vote through PR or allocate seats proportionally—no one gave their life for that. The martyrs of the July uprising fought for democracy, not electoral formulas," Hafiz said at a recent political event.

He emphasized that the simplest and most legitimate path forward is to hold elections under a neutral caretaker government. Citing a hypothetical example, he warned of the absurdities that PR could bring: “Imagine someone from Kurigram becoming the MP for Bhola—that’s the kind of disconnect the PR system might create.”

Referring to the remarks of a martyr’s father, Hafiz said, “One father of a July martyr told me that the dreams for which their children died remain unfulfilled. That is a deeply painful truth.”

He also criticized the interim government's leadership, pointing out that not a single word of accountability has been directed at Chief Advisor Sheikh Hasina. “Only Dr. Asif Nazrul, among the advisors, occasionally raises concerns,” he noted.

Highlighting the BNP’s long struggle against what he called the authoritarian rule of Sheikh Hasina, Hafiz declared that the party had already defeated that regime through continuous movements. He criticized the imbalance in the current national consensus dialogue, where BNP stands alone on one side and 34 other parties on the other.

“Let the people judge—compare the public support behind the BNP and these 34 parties,” he challenged. He also accused some political factions of wanting to discard the Constitution of 1972, a founding document achieved through the Liberation War, and warned against revisionist narratives from parties that had once opposed the war but now claim regret.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), called on the administration to take tough measures against those who exploit the name of the July uprising or the party for unethical or criminal activities.

He stressed the need to eradicate extortion, terrorism, and corruption from Bangladesh, noting, “The aspirations of the July uprising have not yet been fully realized.” He acknowledged the partial fulfillment of the movement’s goals through the July Charter and emphasized the symbolic significance of August 3, when a one-point demand was issued at the Central Shaheed Minar.

He added that the NCP will present its future roadmap during a rally on August 3, with efforts made to minimize public inconvenience. He thanked Chhatra Dal for relocating their program from the Shaheed Minar to Shahbagh at the NCP’s request and urged consensus on the implementation of the July Charter.

Asaduzzaman Fuad, a leader of the AB Party, has criticized those who claim the country was better off before, labeling such narratives as foreign-influenced and disconnected from national identity.

Speaking on the aftermath of the July uprising, Fuad said, “We were on the brink of civil war and famine, but the interim government’s firmness prevented such disasters.” Dismissing the idea that the country has declined, he added, “We haven’t turned from Switzerland into Uganda—we were always Uganda.”

Fuad also blamed a section of the business community for empowering what he called the "fascist hand of Hasina," stating they must be held accountable. He criticized political parties for failing to introspect or reform, warning that without a change in political character, no lasting progress is possible.

Dr. Mashrur Riaz of Policy Exchange urges immediate talks between Bangladeshi garment exporters and U.S. brands and buyers to address the newly reduced 20% tariff. He warns that if the full burden falls on consumers, demand and exports could drop. While the tariff cut is positive compared to the initial 37%, challenges remain, especially regarding local value addition requirements. Transparency on the tariff agreement terms is also needed to safeguard national interests.