Govt forms 5 reform commissions to ensure holistic development

The government has formed five reform commissions to address critical issues and promote comprehensive development in the country, according to separate summary documents issued yesterday by the cabinet division.
Each commission has been instructed to initiate its activities immediately and submit a detailed report to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus within 90 days.
Healthcare Reform Commission
The Healthcare Reform Commission, led by Prof AK Azad Khan, president of the Bangladesh Diabetic Society, aims to ensure universal access to healthcare. The commission will devise actionable strategies to address systemic gaps and challenges in the health sector.
The other members are Professor Mohammad Jakir Hossain, public health and health informatics specialist, BSMMU; Professor Liyakot Ali, chairman, Pothikrit Foundation; Professor Sayeba Akter, gynecologist; Professor Nayela Zaman Khan, Department of Pediatric Neuroscience; MM Reza, former secretary; Professor Mozaherul Haque, WHO Southeast Asia regional adviser; Azharul Islam, icddr,b; Professor Syed Md Akram Hussain, Square Cancer Centre; Professor Syed Atikul Haque, chief consultant, Green Life Center for Rheumatic Care and Research; Ahmed Ahsanul Rahman, scientist, Child and Maternal Health Department, icddr,b, and Umayer Afif, a 5th-year student of Dhaka Medical College.
Labour Reform Commission
To safeguard workers’ rights and promote their welfare, the government has constituted a Labour Reform Commission, with Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, Executive Director of the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies, at its helm. The commission will engage with stakeholders to draft a report that prioritises labour rights and prosperity.
Other members include Mahfuzul Haque, former secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Jakir Hossain, professor at the Institute of Bangladesh Studies at Rajshahi University; Tapan Dutta, president of the Chattogram divisional committee of the Bangladesh Trade Union Centre; AKM Nasim, former president of Bangladesh Labour Court Bar Association; M Kamran T Rahman, former president of Bangladesh Employer Federation; Chowdhury Ashikul Alam, president of Bangladesh Trade Union Sangha; Shakil Akhter Chowdhury, General Secretary of Bangladesh Labour Federation; Taslima Akhter, photographer and labour movement organiser; and one student representative.
Media Reform Commission
In the media sector, an 11-member Media Reform Commission has been established, headed by senior journalist Kamal Ahmed. The commission is expected to propose recommendations to improve media practices and ensure press freedom.
The other members in the commission are Gitiara Nasreen, professor at Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Dhaka; Shamsul Haque Zahid, editor of The Financial Express; Akhtar Hossain Khan, secretary of the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB); Syed Abdal Ahmed, former general secretary of the National Press Club; Fahim Ahmed, chief executive officer of Jamuna TV; Jimi Amir, journalist; Mostafa Shabuj, Bogura correspondent for The Daily Star; Titu Datta, deputy editor at The Business Standard; a representative from the Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO); Abdullah Al Mamun, a student representative.
Local Government Reform Commission
A Local Government Reform Commission, led by Tofail Ahmed, former chair of the public administration department at Chittagong University, has been tasked with enhancing the effectiveness of local governance structures. The eight-member body will develop measures to empower local governments and make them more accountable.
The other members of the commission are AMM Nasiruddin former secretary of health ministry; Abdur Rahman, a senior advocate at the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division; Mahfuz Kabir, research director at Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies; Mashuda Khatun Shefali, president and CEO of Bangladesh Women’s Foundation; Prof Mohammad Tarikul Islam of department of Government and Politics at Jahangirnagar University; and a student representative.
Women’s Affairs Reform Commission
The government formed the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission, appointing Shireen Parveen Haque, a founding member of Nari Pokkho, as its head.
The commission has been tasked with proposing reforms to strengthen women’s participation and empowerment across all levels of society.
The commission included prominent figures from diverse sectors. The members are Maheen Sultan, senior fellow, Brac Institute of Governance and Development; Sara Hossain, executive director, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (Blast); Fawzia Karim Firoze, president, Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association; Kalpona Akter, president, Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation; Halida Hanum Akhter, women’s health expert; Sumaiya Islam, executive director, Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra; Nirupa Dewan, former member, National Human Rights Commission; Ferdousi Sultana, former senior social development advisor, Asian Development Bank; and Nishita Zaman Niha, a student representative.