The Daily
Morning News
07 AUGUST 1971
News headlines and details from the Daily Morning News.
News Headlines:
- Pak-
Hungarian trade pact signed. - Niazi cautions people against anti-
national elements. - 40 P.C. refugees fail to find admission in Indian camps : Hindu.
- White paper on East Pak crisis.
- Nasrullah stress need to restore confidence in people.
Other Headlines:
- 6 Youngmen surrender.
- Congress rally for independent Bengal.
Islamabad, Aug 6 (APP): Pakistan and Hungary have signed a trade protocol for the
period 1971-
The agreement were signed in Budapest by Mr. M. Masud Zaman joint secretary, Ministry of commerce and a representative of the Hungarian Government during the visit of the Pakistan delegation to Hungary in July this year.
Pakistan export list includes raw Jute, raw cotton molasses basmati rice, Bobacco,
textiles, leather footwear, leather goods, sports goods fruit juices dried fruits,
machine made carpets, hosiery products, cotton yarn and thread, jute manufactures,
spectacle frames, ready -
Imports into Pakistan will comprise insecticides and pesticides, chemicals and dyes, tools and workshop equipment, scientific equipment, electrical equipment, road building and construction machinery pharmaceuticals, aluminium and iron and steel products.
Lieut General A.A.K. Niazi commander Eastern command and deputy Martial Law administrator, zone 'B' yesterday appreciated efforts of the people of Bogra in preserving the integrity and solidarity of Pakistan, reports APP.
Gen. Niazi was addressing a joint meeting of members of peace committee and elite of the area who had assembled there to greet the general.
Gen. Niazi, who was accompanied by the Goc was on a one-
Taking to the people, Gen Niazi said, "you are doing a valuable service to the nation." He added that service to the Islamic state of Pakistan was, in fact, service of Islam and God would certainly reward them for their noble deeds.
General Niazi reminded the people of the glorious past of the Muslims and said that they had achieved splendid glory by following injunctions of Islam and we too, can aspire for the same if we honestly practise precepts of Islam."
A Caution
Gen. Niazi also cautioned the people against the elements who play in the hands of the enemy to the determent of their national interest. He quoted instance, from Muslim history to show that such elements always undermined the unity and strength of Muslims.
Gen Niazi added: "Those who are maltreating our women and children in the refugee
camps and are disrupting our means of communication to ruin our economy cannot be
the well wishers of the people. On this, the people raised full-
Gen. Niazi appreciated the people's enthusiasm and patriotic spirit. He also commended
their co-
After the meeting, Gen-
Later, Gen, Niazi visited troops in the border area, he talked to them informally and enquired about their welfare. He found them confident and cheerful.
During the visit, Gen Niazi was told by the local commander that task of the Armed
Forces in the area was greatly facilitated by active co-
Gen. Niazi returned to Dacca in the afternoon.
Rawalpindi, Aug, 6: Influential Indian English language newspaper Hindu of Madras
recently reported miserable plight of East Pakistanis who went to West Bengal in
recent months and stated that at least forty percent of estimated number of displaced
persons had failed to find admission in so-
In a press report from Calcutta the newspaper gave graphic description of deplorable conditions of displaced east Pakistanis Refugees suffered not only lack of proper shelter but were falling victims of epidemics by thousands every day.
The newspaper also reported that the helpless victims of India propaganda were unable
to secure any gainful employment in West Bengal. Young girls from among displaced
East Pakistanis according to Hindu, were being enticed away by so-
The newspaper report cautioned a monsoon adds to misery of East Pakistan refugees" Stated "all but a few of the refugees in West Bengal continue to live in the open or in flimsy novels that scarcely afford protection against the rains."
Hindu quoted a doctor attending on refugees as having observed "hell breaks loose when it rains. Women and Children run about or just defy rain."
The newspaper report further said lakhs of East Pakistanis had not been supplied with even ration cards and how they manage to live is anybody's guess.
4500 Cholera deaths
Hindus reported that after Cholera which claimed over 4500 lives and wiped out several families East Pakistan displaced persons in West Bengal were now attacked by preumonia, blood dysentry and variety of Chest diseases. Thousands of Children suffered from malnutrition, according to the newspaper, seem to novels on the verge of death.
The paper also reported that indifference of Indian people in districts where East Pakistanis are being made to live in camps or concentrations and stated that local people did not give any assistance in providing shelter material for refugees nor were they being given any opportunities to earn their living by employment.
Hindu reported "a few evacuees have taken to business and set up biddy or grocery shops. Barring these there is no sign of the evacuees being engaged in any gainful employment. The district authorities are taking special care to ensure that the local landlords and other employers do not buy the services of evacuees lest it should generate tension.
However, worst aspect is that in spite of its failure to meet even minimum living requirements of East Pakistani displaced persons Indian authorities are not prepared to consider even human aspects of refugees problem and let them return to their homes in East Pakistan.
Following is the test of the white paper on the East Pakistan issued by the Government of the Pakistan.
Introduction
This white paper provides, for the first time, a full account of the events which led to the present crisis in East Pakistan, The crisis arose from the failure of the elected representatives, of the people to reach a consensus on the essentials of a federal constitution due to the attitude of the Awami League leadership which sought to escalate a mandate for autonomy into a move for secession.
These events have attracted the attention and concern of the international community. However, the world has so far been fed on incomplete and tendentious information. The white paper sets out in detail the back ground of these developments, which culminated in armed rebellion aimed at the break up of Pakistan.
The Salient facts fundamental to an understanding of the crisis in East Pakistan are:
(I) The electoral process in Pakistan based on the legal frame work order 1970, which
as accepted by all political parties, including the Awami League and which left no
doubt that the unity and a basic pre-
(II) The action of the Federal Government on 25 March 1971 was designed to restore
law and order, which had broken down completely during the period of the Awami League's
"non-
The situation would have returned to normal fairly soon but for interference and incitement by India.
Towards confrontation
The Political agitation against the 1962 constitution had led the nation to a serious crisis necessitating imposing of Martial Law on 25 March, 1969. In his first Address to the nation, the chief Martial Law administration, Gen, A.M. Yahya Khan said: "I wish to make it absolutely clear to you that I have no ambition other than the creation of conditions conducive to the establishment of a institutional government. It is my firm belief that a sound, clear and honest administration is a prerequisite for same and constructive political life for the smooth transfer of power to the representatives of the people elected freely and impartially on the basis of adult franchise It will be the task of these elected representatives to give the country a workable constitution and find a solution of all other political economic and social problems that have been agitating the minds of the people."
In pursuance of this aim, political activity was allowed and the president assured all political parties and individual politicians that "my government shall continue with the policy of absolute and complete impartiality towards you." However, he emphasised that "any individual, any group or and party which propagates against the basic principles of Islam and the ideology and integrity of Pakistan or works towards the creation of rifts in the solidarity of our people will incur the wrath of the people and their armed forces."
In the months that followed the president continued intensive consultations with politicians and other leaders of public opinion through out the country. However, on 28 November, 1969, he noted with regret that no constitutional consensus had emerged despite his urgent appeal to the political leaders to rise the occasion and deal with this crucial issue as national statement.
He also announced two major political decisions. One, the dissolution of one Unit in West Pakistan, and two, adoption of the principle of one man one vote" as the basis of elections for the future National Assembly.
This altered the principle of party between East and West Pakistan formerly agreed to by all political parties (including the Awami League) and embodied in the constitutions of 1956 and 1962. The president's decision ensured, for the first time, a permanent majority for East Pakistan in the National Assembly.
On the basis of his consultations with political leaders and the express whishes of the people, the president announced the following issues as settled:
(1) Parliamentary Federal form Government.
(2) Direct adult franchise.
(3) Fundamental rights of citizens and their enforcement by the law courts.
(4) Independence of the Judiciary and its role as custodian of the constitution and
(5) The Islamic character of the constitution, to preserve the ideology on which Pakistan was created.
He also disclosed that a legal frame work would be ready by 31 March, 1970, the Electoral rolls by June, 1970, and General Elections would be held on 5 October, 1970. The National Assembly would be required to frame a constitution within a period of 120 days from its first sitting. The president added: "I would be happy if they can finalize it even before the expiry of this period. If, however they are unable to complete the task by the end of stipulated period, the Assembly would stand dissolved and the nation will have to go to polls again. I hope and pray that this does not happen and I would, therefore urge the future elected representatives to undertake this task with a full sense of responsibility and patriotism."
The campaign for the general elections began throughout the country on 1 January 1970, with an appeal by the president to all parties to "eschew parochial intentions." Press Radio and Television enjoyed full freedom to express the views of the various political parties in the field. Strict instructions were issued to all Government officials to maintain complete impartiality in an address to the nation on 28 March. 1970, the president said:
"I would once again like to assure you that this regime has been and will continue to be completely impartial as far as the election campaign is concerned. The Government, however, expects that no political party work against the ideology and integrity of Pakistan."
In the same address, the president announced the main provisions of the legal frame work order, 1970, this order provided the basis of which all political parties participated in the Elections.
The Preamble to the legal frame work order set out the primary task of the National Assembly as making provisions as to the constitution of Pakistan in accordance with this order". Clause 14(1) of the order stated: "After the close of the general election of members of the national assembly, the president shall for the the purpose of framing a constitution for Pakistan, summon the national assembly to meet on such day and at such time and place as he may think fit....."
It was further provided that the National Assembly would frame the constitution in the form of a bill to be called the constitution bill within a period of 120 days from the date of its first meeting and on its failure to do so would stand dissolved. The national Assembly would not enter upon its functions as the first legislature of the Federation, and the provincial assemblies would not be summoned to meet until the constitution bill had been passed by the national assembly and authenticated by the president.
Historical practice with regard to the training of a federal constitution has been to secure either a consensus among the federating units, or the consent of a clear majority of all the federating units, and this was clearly implied when the president stated that "The constitution is a sacred document and agreement to live together it cannot be compared to any ordinary law."
"The legal framework order laid down certain fundamental principles to be embodied in the constitution. These included:
(1) "Adherence to fundamental principles of democracy shall be ensured by providing direct and free periodical elections to the federal and the provincial legislatures on the basis of population and adult franchise."
(2) "The fundamental Rights of the citizens shall be laid down and guaranteed."
(3) "The independence of the Judiciary in the matter of dispensation of Justice and enforcement of the Fundamental right shall be secured."
(4) "All powers including legislative, administrative and financial shall be so distributed between the Federal Government and provinces that the provinces shall have maximum autunomy, that is to say maximum legislative, administrative and financial powers but the federal Government shall also have adequate powers including legislative, administrative and Financial powers to discharge its responsibilities in relation to external and internal affairs and to preserve the independence and territorial integrity of the country.
(5) "It shall be ensured that;
(a) the people of all areas in Pakistan shall be enable to participate fully in all forms of national activities; and
(b) within a specified period, economic and all other disparities between the provinces and between different areas in a province are removed by adoption of statutory and other measures.
"The constitution shall contain, in its preamble an alteration that
(a) the Muslims of Pakistan shall be enable individually and collectively, to order their lives in accordance with the teachings of Islam as set out in the Holy Quran and sunnah: and
(b) the minorities shall be enable to profess and practise their religions freely and to enjoy all rights, privileges and protection due to them as citizens of Pakistan."
Most important of all the order laid down that "the provinces and other territories which are now and many hereinafter be included in Pakistan shall be so united in a Federation that the independence, the territorial integrity and the national solidarity of Pakistan are ensured and that the unity of the Federation is not, in any manner, impaired."
In his speech of 28 March, 1970 the president said: "Our people are intensely patriotic. They will, therefore, tolerate most things except an act of sabotage against the integrity of Pakistan. If any one thinks that he can let down the country or the people or entertain any ideas of destroying the basic unity of our people, he is very much mistaken. The people will not stand for this.... Every one has a right to offer his solution to the constitutional, political, economic and administrative problems of the country, but no one has right to offer a solution which would adversely affect the solidarity of the people of Pakistan. This no one would tolerate."
The six points of the Awami League, as publicly announced made no claim to alter
or to abridge the sovereign character of Pakistan. Point No. 1 stated that "the character
of the Government shall be Federal and parliamentary." In his election speeches,
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman repeatedly emphasised that he stood only for provincial autonomy
and not for the disintegration of the country or any dilution of its Islamic character,
On 21 September, 1970, in a public address at Narayanganj, he said, "The six-
Other Awami League leaders echoed the same theme. Mr. Tajuddin Ahmed, General Secretary
of the East Pakistan Awami League, said at Narayanganj on 21 September, 1970 that
"the realization of six points was very much linked with the integrity and solidarity
of the country Mr. A.H. M. Qamaruzzaman, General Secetary of the All Pakistan Awami
League, in a public address at Lahore on 27 September 1970. "Categorically denied
that his party aimed at splitting up Pakistan." Earlier speaking at Rajshahi on 21
June, 1970, he had said that the relationship between East and West Pakistan is inseparable."
Khondkar Mushtaq Ahmed, Vice-
However, these speeches of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his associates were accompanied by highly emotive factually inaccurate statements inciting the people of East Pakistan against fellow Pakistanis from the western wing. On 11 March, 1970 in an address at Hazaribagh Park in East Pakistan, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman : "Wanted to know from Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, Maulana Maudoodi, Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan how long would they take more to refund the wealth of Bengal which they had looted through their masters. He called upon Bengalis to rise to the occasion and completely eliminate the political Mir Jafars and parasites from the sacred soil of Bengal." On 10 March, 1970, at a public meeting in Dacca, the General secretary of the East Pakistan. Awami League, Mr. Tajuddin Ahmed said:
"The flesh and blood of the Bengalis had been swallowed up by the exploiters belonging to Western region had sucked East Bengal for the last 23 years, history of Pakistan is a history of conspiracy, history of continuous oppression."
In the election campaign which followed in East Pakistan the Awami League conducted itself with a lack of restraint which brought forth a spate of complaints from every other political party in the field, among those who publicly registered their protests at the Awami League approach to electioneering were:
(1) Mr. Nurul Amin, president of the Pakistan Democratic party, and a formal chief Minister of East Pakistan.
(2) Mr. Abdus Salam, president of the East Pakistan Branch of the Pakistan Democratic party.
(3) Mr. Mahmud Ali, vice-
(4) Professor Ghulam Azam, Ameer (Chief) of the East Pakistan Jamaat-
(5) Syed Altaf Hussain, General secretary of the East Pakistan National Awami Party (Wali group).
(6) Peer Mohsenuddin, resident of the East Pakistan Jamiat Ulema-
(7) Mrs. Amena Begum, senior vice president of the Pakistan National League, and formerly acting president of the Awami League.
In public statements through out 1970, these and other leaders protested against the Awami Leagues electioneering tactics which included the breaking up of public meetings, physical attacks on their political opponents and the looting and destruction of party offices.
This criticism kept mounting but Government did not intervene as this be interpreted as official interference in the election campaign.
The first public meeting to be held in East Pakistan by a party other than the Awami
League was attacked by a mob resulting in the death of one person and injuries to
over 500 persons at paltan Maidan in Dacca on 18 January, 1970. The Jamaat-
Condemning this incident, the Dacca daily "Pakistan observer" pointed out on 20 January, 1970, "The fact that late in the evening groups came back to the site broke up the meeting burned the pandal and drove away. a several thousand strong audience shows that it was an organized and determined otherwise it would not have not been possible within such a short time to complete the wrecking."
Deploring "this resort to violence," the president of Pakistan warned that: 'Anyone employing violence in pursuit of a political objective is obstructing the transfer of power to the people and is hence answerable before the bar of public opinion." He added "These who seek to settle the argument by violence proclaim not only their lack of confidence in their own cause, but also in democracy, their protestation to the contrary not withstanding."
Within a week of this incident, another public meeting by another party the Pakistan democratic party was subjected to physical violence; and 17 political leaders, in a joint statement condemned what they called organized efforts by some miscreants and hooligans to foil the public meeting at Narayangonj on 21 January, 1970." In a separate joint statement issued the same day (21 January, 1970) these leaders specifically accused the Awami League of taking "recourse to vandalism and terror tactics."
On 22 January, 1970, the office of the Jamaat-
On 1 February, 1970, Awami League workers disturbed a public meeting of the Pakistan
Democratic Party (PDP) at the Paltan Maidan in Dacca. They shouted slogans of "Joy
Bangla" and in the course of these disturbance, several persons, including Maulvi
Farid Ahmed, the Nizam-
On 28 February, 1970 in Chittagong, at the offices of two papers the daily "Buniad" and the daily "Sangram" (Both known to be opposing the Awami League) were raided, the vice president of the Pakistan Democratic Party, Mr. Mahmud Ali Characterised the raid as a "dastardly attack on the freedom of the press." and added: If the Buniad' and the Sangram' do not see eye to eye with the Awami League ideology should they deserve to be destroyed? Is it the sample of democracy the Awami League leaders want to present to the people of Pakistan?"
On 31 July, 1970, several newspapers, including the "Pakistan observer," Dacca carried reports that "more than five hundred armed workers of Awami League attacked the residents of Hali Shar Housing Estate and injured 22 persons. Seven of whom are in a serious condition. According to the report, the workers of the Awami league demanded of the people to observe strike but resident of the locality refused to do so."
On 7 August, 1970, the Dacca daily "Purbodesh" reported that a group of Awami League and students League workers created disturbance at a PDP public meeting held at Gopalganj Town Maidan in Faridpur district on 2 August. According to reports, Awami League and students League workers who created disturbance at the meeting, came out from the Gopalganj residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman near the meeting place."
Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan chief of West Pakistan PDP has said here that the "foremost task in East Pakistan is to restore confidence amongst the people and rebuild economy,' reports APP.
Talking to the Associated Press of Pakistan, the Nawabzada said on Wednesday it would require the total effort of the people. He however, added that people of the province should now feel a sense of security because of the effort of the patriotic political elements who through peace committees and Razakar force accepted the challenge of Indian threat. He was sure "people are also duly prepared to meet any threat of Indian aggression."
Referring to the merger of the political parties he said that it was good to exchange views, the ridiculed PPP Chairman Mr. Z.A. Bhutto for the observation that the merger would be like putting the dead bodies in one coffin and observed nobody takes Mr. Bhutto's remark seriously.
Nawabzada said he (Mr. Bhutto ) says that the National Assembly should be convened immediately while he (Mr. Bhutto ) regarded it as "a slaughter house." He can conveniently talk waging 1000 years' war with India and then in Iran while giving an interview to Kayhan international he can conveniently give his opinion for friendly relationship with India. And there are so many other controversies he said.
He said referring to the controversies created recently about the National languages, that the settled issue should not be reopened.
The Nawabzada plans to stay a week in the province when he would visit some place outside the metropolis. He has already met East Pakistan Governor Lt. Gen. Tikka Khan on August 3 and met leaders of different political parties including the Council Muslim League. He had also a session with the president of EPML (Council) Khawaja Khairuddin at his hotel room.
Profile of Bengal