The government has appointed Professor Dr Ali Riaz, former vice-chairman of the recently expired National Consensus Commission, as Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser.

A notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Thursday confirmed the appointment. 

Signed by Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid, the notification stated that the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has appointed Professor Dr Ali Riaz as his Special Assistant.

During his tenure as Special Assistant, Dr Riaz will enjoy the status, salary, allowances, and other privileges equivalent to that of an adviser.

Dr Ali Riaz, a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State University in the United States, was appointed head of the Constitutional Reform Commission formed by the interim government following the July uprising.

In February, he was named vice-chairman of the National Consensus Commission, chaired by the Chief Adviser.

Dr Riaz played a leading role in the Commission’s dialogues with political parties on various reforms, including the formulation of the July Charter. The Commission’s tenure ended on 31 October.