The government approved the draft of the Referendum Ordinance 2025, prepared in line with the July National Charter Implementation Order 2025.
The Council of Advisers cleared the draft at a special meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the Chief Adviser’s Office.
Briefing reporters at the Foreign Service Academy, Law Adviser Professor Dr Asif Nazrul said the ordinance outlines the full procedure for holding the referendum. A gazette notification is expected later today or tomorrow.
According to the ordinance, the referendum will include one question:
“Do you approve the July National Charter (Constitution Reform) Implementation Order, 2025 and the constitutional reform proposals within the July National Charter?”
Voters will mark either “Yes” or “No” on the ballot.
Prof Nazrul said the referendum will seek public consent on four key proposals:
a) During the election period, the caretaker government, Election Commission, and constitutional bodies will be formed as outlined in the July Charter.
b) The next parliament will be bicameral, with a 100-member upper house elected proportionally; constitutional amendments will require approval by a majority in this chamber.
c) The 30 issues agreed by political parties in the July Charter—including increased women’s representation, term limits for the Prime Minister, expanded presidential powers, judicial independence, stronger local government, and opposition-led parliamentary committees—will be binding on whichever party forms the next government.
d) Other reforms in the July Charter will be implemented according to party commitments.
