Nagorik Samaj, a civil society platform, on Friday formed a 13-member committee, headed by former Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda to initiate a national dialogue among the quarters concerned to resolve the country's ongoing political deadlock.

The other committee members include former caretaker government adviser M Hafizuddin, Jamilur Reza Choudhury, Akbar Ali Khan, CM Shafi Shami, Rasheda K Choudhury, Rokeya Afzal, Syed Abul Maksud, eminent jurist Shahdeen Malik, Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, Ahsan H Mansur and Badiul Alam Majumdar.

At a press conference organised by the citizen platform at National Press Club, ATM Shamsul Huda urged the political parties to create an environment for dialogue putting an end to ongoing violence across the country.

The committee was formed after dropping the names of Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain and Nagarik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna from the list of prospective members of the committee.  

Earlier on February 9, Nagarik Samaj sent three separate letters to President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia requesting them to take initiatives from their respective positions for holding a dialogue to break the ongoing political standoff.