Consensus reached on recommending 32-year age limit for govt jobs: Opposition Whip

A special committee at the Parliament has reached a consensus on recommending an ordinance to raise the age limit for government jobs to 32 years, Opposition Whip Rafiqul Islam Khan said today (24 March).

The committee discussed 133 ordinances at the meeting, reaching consensus on several issues, he told reporters after a meeting at the Parliament 

Rafiqul, also Jamaat's assistant secretary general said, "At today's first meeting of the special committee, discussions began on 133 ordinances. The discussions are ongoing in phases. We have already reached agreement on some ordinances, while others will be discussed in the next meeting."

Regarding the proposed ordinance on protecting those who participated in the 2024 July Uprising, Rafiqul said, "We agree with the provisions included in the ordinance concerning their protection of July fighters." 

He added that the committee agreed to place most of the discussed ordinances in Parliament in the form of recommendations.

He also said that 27 ordinances were discussed on the first day, and the committee expressed agreement on most aspects of all but five of them.

He added that further discussions will be held on the Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance (Amendment) Ordinance-2026 and the Police Commission Ordinance-2025.

Constitutional matters, however, were not discussed at this meeting, Rafiqul said, adding, "We will always speak on what is necessary for the country and on urgent issues concerning the public interest, whether we are asked or not."

In response to a question on whether the constitution or the "July aspirations" would take precedence, he said, "We will certainly prioritise the July aspirations. Because without the July movement, we would not have been able to become Members of Parliament or come to the Parliament building today. We will definitely give this priority."

He added, "The constitution is for the people; it is not the Qur'an or divine revelation. The constitution has always been subject to change. There should not be much conflict between the July aspirations and the constitution. The constitution is for the people, not the other way around. 

"If changes to the constitution are needed while upholding the spirit of July, then changes will be made. Changes can be made for the needs of the country and the people. If constitutional amendments are required to realise the July spirit, we will do so. There should be no disagreement on this."

Criticising the ousted Awami League government, he said, "The general secretary of the previous fascist government used the constitution as a pretext to carry out many actions in an authoritarian manner. He used to say that he would not move an inch beyond the constitution."