Eight like-minded political parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolon Bangladesh, today announced a three-day programme in the fourth phase of their simultaneous movement to press home their five-point demand.

According to the announced schedule, the parties will hold a protest rally and procession in Dhaka tomorrow (October 20). They will hold similar rallies and processions in divisional cities on October 25 and in district towns on October 27.

Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Ahmad Abdul Quader, on behalf of the eight parties, announced the new programmes at a press conference held at Jatiya Press Club around this noon.

Amid discussions with the Consensus Commission on implementing the July Charter, seven like-minded parties -- including Jamaat and Islami Andolon -- have separately observed almost identical programmes in three phases as part of the simultaneous movement since September 18.

Bangladesh Development Party (BDP) has joined the movement in the fourth phase. The delegations of all eight parties were present at today's press conference.

The eight parties are: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA), Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, and Bangladesh Development Party.

Among them, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlish, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish signed the July Charter last Friday.

Their demands include introducing a proportional representation (PR) system in both houses -- or in the upper house -- of the next parliament; ensuring a level-playing field for all parties to hold a free, fair, and acceptable election; ensuring visible justice for all acts of oppression, killings, and corruption committed by the previous fascist regime; and banning political activities of the Jatiya Party and the 14-party alliance.

The press conference was attended, among others, by Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar and Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad; Islami Andolon Bangladesh Secretary General Maulana Yunus Ahmed; Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmed; Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party Secretary General Maulana Musa bin Izhar; Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon Nayeb-e-Ameer Mujibur Rahman Hamidi; Jatiya Ganatantrik Party Spokesperson and Vice Chairman Rashed Pradhan; and Bangladesh Development Party Secretary General Nizamul Haque Nayeem.