Fourth session of the 13th Parliament begins, to run until 18 November

The fourth session of the 13th National Parliament has begun. The sitting started in the parliament chamber at the National Parliament Building on Monday (9 November), and the session will be a short one.

The session, which began at 3:30 pm, is being presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram. Though short, the session could prove important in several respects.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir convened the session on 14 October, exercising the power given under Article 72(1) of the Constitution.

Those concerned say the session is essentially being held to meet a constitutional obligation. Under the Constitution, the next session must be held within 60 days of the end of a session, and this session has been convened accordingly.

The session may run for a total of eight working days, until 18 November.

It is being kept short because a new session must be convened in January.