DHAKA: The special parliamentary committee formed to recast the national constitution is holding its fifth meeting at national parliament house. The meeting, began at 11:00 am with Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury in the chair taking opinions of constitution experts for amendments.

The committee earlier selected eight renowned legal and constitutional specialists for their valued views and suggestions before finalizing recommendations for the changes.  

The panel of experts comprises Justice Syed Amirul Islam, Attorney-General Mahabube Alam, former Attorneys-General Barrister Rafique-ul-Haque and Mahmadul Islam, senior Advocate Dr M Zahir, Advocate Towfique Neowaz, Barrister Ajmalul Haque and Barrister Fazle Noor Tapos MP.

The committee was formed on July 21, consisting of only the ruling Awami League-led grand-alliance lawmakers, as BNP declined to nominate their representative following an invitation from the ruling party.

It was assigned to the task of working out constitutional changes in the light of the Supreme Court verdict annulling the Fifth Amendment which had ratified the doings of martial law regimes since the August 15, 1975 coup and brought major changes in the fundamental state principles.

Later on, the Seventh Amendment was also struck down by the High Court, declaring all extra-constitutional takeovers illegal.    

BDST: 1246 HRS, SEPT 23, 2010