The Daily
Morning News
News headlines and details from the Daily Morning News.
News Headlines:
- Committee drafting constitution power transfer in 4 months : Yahya.
- Pakistan is fully ready to defend integrity :Yahya.
- Aid seeking inroads into national sovereignty not acceptable.
- Gen. Tikka Khan presents E. pak. budget today.
- Gen. Hamid visits PAF base in Dacca.
- India shifting population from border areas.
- Gratitude to friendly countries.
- Parties with purley regional appeal approach may be banned. (Staff correspondent)
- British MPs leave for Calcutta.-
Dacca Gazette. - 7 dissociate from outlawed AL.
- Simultaneous transfer of power urged.
- Mufti Mahmud against aid withstrings.
- Sardar Ishaq joins PPP.
- Importance of Peace Committees in restoring normalcy stressed.
- Bhutto urges lifting of press censorship, ban on politics.
- 14 years RI for 4 student leaders, 2 others.
Other Headlines:
- Security precautions tightened along India's eastern border.
- 10 killed last week in Indian firings across East Pak. border.
- New sub-
division at Jhalakati from July 1. - West Bengal Govt. resigns.
- India accused of engineering collapse of East Punjab Govt.
President Yahya Khan disclosed today that a constitution committee set up by him was preparing a draft constitution and hoped that it would be possible to transfer political power to people's representatives in four months or so.
Addressing nation over radio and television networks this evening the president said that various experts and leaders would be consulted on dragy constitution prepared by Experts committee before he gave final shape to it.
He further said that as soon as by elections to assemblies had been competed after promulgation of constitution he would summon National Assembly to meet which would now function as a legislature devoid of its previous power to frame constitution. National Assembly would, however, have power to amened the constitution as promulgated by the president in accordance with law.
The president further revealed that with emergence of political Governments at centre and in provinces and summonings of Assemblies belonging to defuct Awami League would be published who would stand disqualified from staying as members of either house. he however, assured that those former Awami League MNAs and MPAs elect who were not guilty of criminal acts during recent disturbances retained their seats in their individual capacities.
The president hoped that those of Awami League MNAs and MPAs elect who had nothing to do with successionist policies of banned Awami League and had committed no criminal acts would come forward and play their part in rebuilding the political structure in East Pakistan. In course of his 51 minute nation wide broadcast the president said that he disagreed with the view that transfer of political power to people's representatives should be held in abeyance until 'complete normalcy returned in every sphere.'
He said he believed that normalcy in its accepted meaning can never return to a country without full participation of people in its affairs.
President Yahya Khan said that guidelines of constitution currently being drafted by experts committee would be a federal constitution for Islamic Republic allowing maximum provincial autonomy in legislative and administrative matters but at the same time preserving Islamic ideology on which Pakistan was created and with federal government enjoying adequate legislative, administrative and financial powers in relation to external and internal affairs and of the country. President said that constitution would come into force on opening day off the National Assembly. By elections would however, be held to vacant seats in the National and Provincial Assemblies under current relevant provisions of the Legal Frame work Order.
President reviewed at length sequence of events which frustrated his efforts to transfer power early this year and held the leadership of the defunct Awami League and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman particularly wholly responsible for breakdown in scheme for transfer of power and subsequent upheaval in East Pakistan.
He said that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had already made up is mind that he was gong to break the country into two preferably by tickery and if this did not succeed by physical violence.
President Yahya Khan today declared that if situation were forced on it, Pakistan was fully prepared to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
"Let there be no misunderstanding or miscalculation about our relolve to maintain the independence and solidarity of Pakistan," he said in his broadcast to the nation. The President said the plans for the reconstruction of economy and the early resumption of political activity in East Pakistan were threatened by India's continued interference in our internal affairs, and armed infiltration and open encouragement and assistance to secession its had heightened tension between the two countries.
He pointed out that there had been a upsute of unfriendly statements from responsible sources in India threatening unilateral action against Pakistan if we did not yield to arbotrary demands and said the need of the hour was to desist from such actions and statements which could further inflame the situation.
He said it is through discussions and not through conflict that problems can be solved. Statemanships demands exercise of caution and restraint so that our problems are not further complicated, pointing out that armed conflict would solve nothing he said "on our part we want to live in peace and harmony with all our neighbours. We do not interfere in the affairs of other people and will not allow any one else to interfere in our internal affairs."
President Yahya Khan said today that the aid seeking inroads into the country's sovereign is not acceptable to us.
In his broadcast to the nation, he requested that lately there had been indications that the foreign aid is acquiring certain political overtones and the people of Pakistan were getting the impression that strings were being sought to be attached to such aid.
If this be the case, let me say it quite categorically that aid which seeks to make inroads into our sovereignty is not accept able to us, he said. We shall be prepared to do without it, he added.
The president earlier thankfully acknowledged the aid which Pakistan had been receiving for many years for its development programme form a number of aid giving countries.
President Yahya Khan said he wanted the country to make early progress towards self-
However, he pointed about that this required maseimum austerity in both public and private spending. he said the Government was making all necessary adjustments in economic policies with this objective, but added that these can succeed only with the enthusiastic support of the people.
He expressed his confidence that private sector would come forward to play an active role in developing the country's own resources.
PPI adds: President said, "This is na hour of crisis for the nation, we need same determination and resolute will which we showed on a number of previous occasions to safe guard the integrity of Pakistan against international and external upheavals and external aggression.
Each one or us has duty to work hard and to rebuild the momentum of economic activity. This is necessary to generate resources for economic development.
Let us resolve today individually and collectively maseimise production and exports., must work hard and learn to reduce our dependence on others in every field in the shortest possible time. The sacrifice which this will entail must be borne with patriotic fervour and national solidarity", he added.
East Pakistan Governor, Lt. Gen.Tikka Khan, will present the provincial budget for
the year 1970-
General Adul hamid Khan, Chief of Staff, Army yesterday visited the PAF Base in Dacca. He was accompanied by Lieutenant General A.A.K. Neazi, commander, Eastern command.
On arrival at the PAF base, General amid was received by Air commodore Inam H. Khan, Air Officer commanding, East Pakistan, Who briefed the General on the role and organisation of Air Force in East Pakistan and later took him round the base. Gen. Hamid also met the young PAF officers and talked to commanding, East Pakistan, who briefed the General on the role and organisation Air Force in East Pakistan and later took him round the base.
Gen. hamid also met the young PAF officers and talked to them informally. Earlier Gen. Hamid visited Army Eastablishment in Dacca.
The Indian authorities are shifting civil population from the border areas opposite Moghal Hat in Rangpur district, according to reliable reports reaching Dacca yesterday, reports APP.
President General A.M. Yahya Khan today expressed appreciation and gratitude to "overshelming number of countries who have reacted and responded to Pakistan's recentinternal trouble with sympathy and understating.
He said, in his broadcast, that Pakistan's friends abroad had given "complete support" to the action taken by Pakistan Government to maintain unity and integrity of Pakistan. "These countries have at the same time warned those who have attempted to interfere in our internal affairs to desist from such actions."
President said he would like on this opportunity to express on behalf of the Government and the people of Pakistan and on his own behalf appreciation and gratitude to them.
He said it was also hertenign that the international community had extended favourable
response particularly the United Nations Organisation and its agencies to the need
for co-
Parties with purely regional appeal, approach may be banned
(From our staff correspondent)
Rawalpindi
Political parties having purely regional appeal and approach are likely to be banned in country under new constitution for Pakistan.
President Yahya Khan said today in his broadcast that he had indicated to experts committees on constitution drafting that it would be a good thing in the interest of the integrity of Pakistan if any party confined to specific region and not national in practical sense showed be banned. President also urged against having two three or four subparties within a party.
Apparently president's later remark related to various Muslim Leagues and two factions of National Awami Party whole earlier observation possibility concerned some regional parties such as they exist in parts of Sind, Baluchistan and the Frontier.
The four member British parliamentary delegation yesterday went round the university campus, reports, APP.
Later in the afternoon they left Dacca for Calcutta by a special British plane on the codusion of their four day visit to East Pakistan.
Seven office bearers of Gognagar Union defuct Awami League Narayanganj dissociated themselves from the outlawed Awami League, reports APP.
They said: " We the following office bears of Gognagar Union Awami League, Narayanganj here disseciate from the defunct Awami League. We believe in the integrity of one Pakistan. We have no knowledge about the intention of defunc Awami League leaders to disintegrate Pakistan. We also condemn nefarious Indian aggression against East Pakistan. We congratulate president Yahya Khan for the right step taken by him. We also appeal to all patriotic persons of Narayanganj subdivision to help the Armed Forces to maintain solidarity and integrity of Pakistan Paindabad.
The signatories of the statement are: Dr. Musleh Uddin Ahmed, President; Dr. Julfikar Ali, Assistant secretary; Mdd. Abdul Qudds, Member; Md. Abdul Jalil, Member, Md. Haider Ali, Assistant secretary, Mr. Shahaabuddin Ahmed, secretary.
Begum Akhtar Sulaiman, daughter of late Mr. H. S. Suhrawardy, reiterated her stand that the transfer of power should take place in both wings of the country at the same time. In a statement here yesterday she said, "We know that power can not be transferred to chaos. Therefore the president is keen that order must be restored throughout the country. And in this every one is with him.
It is also essential that the transfer of power must take place in both wings of the country at the same time. She expressed her confidence that East Pakistan would 'receive due social and economic justice which will enable it to be properly rehabilited.'
Maulana Mufti Mahmud, MNA-
Addressing a press conference, Maulana Mufti Mahmud said that Pakistan should not accept any such aid as might provide on inroad to foreign countries to interfere with our freedom, self respect and prestige, he added.
In this connection, he called for revolutionary steps to ensure transfer of foreign exchange deposited in foreign banks by such people.
Sardar Mahammad Ishaq, A former MPA and a leader of the Hazra Tribe of Baluchistan has joined the Pakistan People's Party along with 30,000 men of his tribe.
Mr. Bhutto told newsmen at an informal meeting at his clifton residence here that in a telegram to him. Sardar Ishaq had expressed full confidence and faith in his (Mr. Bhutto's) leadership. The members of the Hazra Tribe, the telegram said, were ready to make any sacrifice under the leadership of Mr. Bhutto for the solidarity integrity of Pakistan.
Narayangonj (APP)
Narayanganj city peace committee held a meeting here on Friday last.
The meeting held under the chairmanship of Mr. Aziz Sardar, convener of the committee,
was also addressed by Mr. Shahiddllah, ex-
Mr. Z.A. Bhutto, Chairman of the Pakistan People's Party demanded today that the Government should immediately lift the censorship and the ban on political activities to pave way for a smooth return to democratic rules.
Talking to newsmen at his party's central secretariat this afternoon Mr. Bhutto said that lifting of restrictions on press and politics was logical follow up of the president's broadcast.
Refraining from any immature comment on the president's broadcast the PPP chairman said he carried serious responsibilities and wold be in a position to release reaction only after a threadbare and detailed consultation with his party member.
Please do not expect any comment from us in the hear future" he said. "I will not act in my individual capacity. My party will frame its own considered view after studying the broadcast in depth so that established democratic procedures which an organised party normally foloowed were adhered to he added.
Special summary Military court No. 1 Dacca, has sentenced six persons including prominent student leaders to regorous imprisonment for 14 years each and confiscation of their properties.
The accused who have been convicted are: A.S.M. Abdur Rab Chandjangalia, Ps. Ramgati,
Noakhali, Vice president, Ducsu, Iqbal hall, Dacca, Abdul Quddus alias MaKhan of
Murali, PS. B.baria, Dist Comilla, General secretary, Ducsu, Iqbal Hall, Dacca, Nur-
They were tried in absentia under MLR-
The original charges against them still stand and they will be charged under them on apprehension.
Profile of Bengal