The Daily
Morning News
23 SEPTEMBER 1971
News headlines and details from the Daily Morning News.
News Headlines:
- Pak troops kill 62 Indian agents in Satkhira
- Rs. 245 Cr. special rehabilitation plan for East Pakistan
- Governor meets editors
- PPP has chalked out plan about taking part in bye-
elections - Merger not approved by working body, admits Shamsul Huda
- Minister plans to study a new issue of recasting UCs
Other Headlines:
- Mufti demands immediate power transfer in W. Wing
- Pakistan Central Labour Council formed
- Existing education system responsible for all ills; Abbas
Jessore, Sept. 22 (APP): Pakistani troops eliminated a hideout of Indian agents in Satkhira area on Tuesday killing 62 Indian agents and capturing nine.
Among the captured is Subedar Tabarak Ullah, a defector from East Pakistan Rifles.
A huge quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives, including 24 rifles, three light
machine guns, 5 sten guns over 3,000 rounds of cartridges, 35 grenades, 5 boxes of
2-
According to reports reaching district headquarters here, nearly 150 Indian agents including defectors from East Pakistan Rifles were hiding themselves in a deserted place between Benapole and Satkhira for mischievous purposes. On receipt of information provided by patriotic citizens, Pakistani troops attacked the hideout and were apprehended and the remaining managed to escape across the border.
One of the captured persons disclosed that their commander captain Shahiqul Islam, another defector from EPR, as wounded in the encounter but he managed to escape across the border.
Central Government has sanctioned a Rs. 245 crore special plan for rehabilitation in East Pakistan, reports PPI.
Disclosing this to PPP here last night the provincial Relief and Rehabilitation Minister, Professor Shamsul Huq said that this amount would be sent to rehabilitate the persons whose property had been damaged during the recent disturbances.
The Minister said that the central Government had also assured of more funds, if and when necessary, to effectively carry on the rehabilitation programme in the province. "Besides, we are also expecting funds from the World Bank and the consortium countries for the purpose" he added.
Prof. Huq further said that the provincial Government had allocated Rs. 5 crore in the special programme for the returness the amount would be spent in the reception centres of the provinces established for receiving back the Pakistani nationals who crossed the border due to the malicious propaganda by the Indian Radio, he added.
The Relief Minister further said that Rs. 10 crore would also be spent for test relief programme to reconstruct the economy of the province.
In reply to a question he said that his department would soon chalk out detailed programmes for the special plan of Rs. 245 crores.
East Pakistan Governor Dr. A.M. Malik met the editors of local newspaper and news agencies at the Government House here today evening, reports PPI.
In his first meeting with the editors since assumption of Gubernatorial office, Governor Malik exchanged views freely and frankly with them.
Karachi, September, 22 (APP): Mr. Z.A. Bhutto, chairman Pakistan People's Party said
here today his party had chalked out a plan about its participation in the scheduled
bye-
Addressing a press conference at the PPP central secretariat he however, declined to elaborate on the extent and number of seats his party would contest.
Mr. Bhutto said, he planned to visit East Pakistan shortly. Before his visit, he however, thought that spade work should be done by his party leaders.
A proposal about sending a PPP delegation to East Pakistan would be finalised at a PPP central committee meeting beginning at Quetta tomorrow he said.
Asked as to how he considered the proposal bye-
This he, however, said did not mean lifting of the Martial Law; political activities would be revived under the cover of the Martial Law, he added.
Mr. Bhutto said his party believed that as soon as the National Assembly was called to session the majority party in coalition with minority parties or otherwise should be asked to form governments at all levels.
Asked whether he wanted this to be done in the absence of a constitution, he replied that he would speak on the constitutional aspects when he would meet the press here at Hotel Metropole on September 29.
On that date he added about hundred page brochure tracing the events that had and have been happening in the country will also be distributed.
Mr. Bhutto said that he was presently busy in completing the document so that his party's events in the country was made clear.
Mr. Bhutto recalled his statement that he had made after meeting president, General A.M. Yahya Khan in Rawalpindi that his party would make its position clear this month on constitutional and political aspects, and said "we owe a great deal of duty to the people to keep them informed on the situation obtaining in the country.
"You would appreciate that we are in a difficult position," he added.
Referring to frequent important official announcements relating to the political situation, he said these create misgivings and confusion in the public minds. As such he thought it was his party's duty to make its stand clear on such announcements.
Change in Bye-
Reffering to the change in the time table the bye-
He said, "you have seen many complexities when the record is not put straight."
Mr. Bhutto, however, thanked president, General A.M.Yahya Khan for having explained
to him yesterday on telephone the background of the change in time table of the bye-
Recalling his recent meetings with president here on Sept. 13 and Sept. 18, he said he had discussed with the president the question of lifting of ban on the political activities and other connected issues for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan.
At the end of discussions he had gathered the impression that all the connected issues would be settled before the year was out and in the beginning of next year, people will have democracy in the sense that by then the National Assembly would be called.
He charged the Election Commission with having committed an elementary mistake in
announcing the time table of the bye-
Mr. Bhutto thought that it was not a genuine and legitimate excuse to have postpone
the bye-
He said when the elections could be held Vietnam, there was no reason as to why elections could not be held here.
He recalled that it was in the month of last Ramdhan that the political activities had reached the climax. The People who were fasting did not in any way keep away from displaying their enthusiasm in national politics.
Mr. Bhutto, however, said "we are reasonable in saying all sight two months more."
The election time table must be completed by the end of December and the game of hide and seek as the people think of the present situation must come to an end, Mr. Bhutto emphasised.
He said, "we have made a commitment to the people to get them their basic and fundamental rights"
Mr. Bhutto said "Whatever adjustments in the bye-
Referring to the demand made by three political leaders about the postponement of
the bye-
Discussing the over all situation obtaining in the country he said, if democracy was not restored by the end of this year, chances of checking the current deteriorating situation would become slim.
He said his party was following the parliamentary process for the restoration of people's fundamental rights. We have made genuine efforts to make adjustment in the larger interests of Pakistan.
Last Chance
We believe that restoration of democracy in the country by December was the last chance, Mr. Bhutto said.
The PPP chairman said that in case his party came to power by January next year, it would require at last six months to make earnest and dedicated efforts in putting back Pakistan on its rails and salvaging it from political and economic deterioration.
He thought the political activities could be vastly accelerated during the coming winter season. We need these six months to desperately salvage Pakistan from the terrible wreck it has suffered.
He thought in case democracy was not restored by the stipulated time the situation will be out of control.
Time is running out so fast. If the power is not transferred by January next it would not be possible for us to face over the responsibility.
We will fall back and say it is futile. We have no role to play and place to survive. It will not be possible for us to preserve the integrity of Pakistan.
We are not hankering for power we are asking for the restoration of democracy as we believe this could only safeguard the integrity and solidarity of Pakistan.
Mr. Bhutto said during the first six months after his party came to power, we would go to East Pakistan in a big way to regain the confidence of our East Pakistani brothers, tune the civil administration and Launch intensive diplomatic negotiations with the foreign countries.
Mr. Bhutto reiterated that in case power was not given to his party let it be given to a minority political party which had captured a single seat in the last general elections.
By this, he thought at least some people who had voted in favour of the minority political party will have some representation in the national affairs.
He said we do not want baby to fall in our lap when was no more chance to save the country.
Criticising the role of some political leaders he said they had hailed the president's broadcast to the nation on June 28 last. The same leaders, he added also hailed the same when it was amended later. He thought it will be a dereliction on my part as a duty I owe to the nation if I do not speak. We belong to a progressive party. We believe in hard work and dedication.
Referring to the brochure to be made public on Sept. 29, he denied that he was writing any book as reported in the press entitled, the great drama or the betrayal.
The brochure, he said, was on the painful tragedy the country had gone through. He said, we are being held responsible for the events. We would not like other countries to go though such a tragic situation. We have painful experience. We want to work in such a way that such incidents do not occur.
Talking about the restoration of democracy in the country he said this ding dong battle has been going on since the last nine months. I believe the Government has taken a decision about the restoration of democracy in the country. Let us be practical and prepare the people mentally.
He said it is a good thing that president General A.M.Yahya Khan explained to me
the background of the postponement of the bye-
He thought it was necessary that a liasion was maintained between the Government and the political leaders for the smooth and harmonious change under the democratic accepet i.e. said, the political leaders were always associated with the government decisions.
Present at the press conference were Mr. J.A. Rahim Secretary General of the PPP, Shaikh Mohammed Rasheed president PPP, Punjub, Abdul Hafeez Prizada. president PPP, Karachi and Mr. Kamal Azfa vice president PPP, Sind.
(By our staff Reporter)
Mr. Shamsul Huda, president of the East Pakistan Convention Muslim League yesterday announced merger of his provincial party with Qayyum Muslim League and said this has been done in the greater interest of the Muslim League and the country at large."
The Merger of East Pakistan Convention Muslim League with Qayyum Muslim League was announced by chief of Pakistan Muslim League, Khan Abdul Qayyum at Peshawar on Tuesday.
At a hurriedly called press conference at convention Muslim League office, Mr. Shamsul Huda confirmed Khan Qayyum's statement and claimed a comfortable support of his partymen. He told a questioner that his party chief, Mr. Fazlul Qauder Choudhury will be happy to know about the merger.
Convention Muslim League chief Mr. Fazlul Quader Choudhury, now in Chittagong, was however, not available for comment.
Mr. Shamsul Huda flanked by five members of the 30 member working Committee of the Party and one of the joint secretaries said that his decision of merging his party with Qayyum Khan's Muslims League had started the process of unification of three Muslim Leagues. He said, "I symbolise unification of Muslim Leagues in East Pakistan."
Mr. Shamsul Huda in reply to a question said that he had no formal authorisation from his Provincial or central Working Committees to merger his party. He, however, hastened to add this is a sincere and practical effort to achieve the merger of the three Muslim Leagues. He said that merger of the three Muslim Leagues into one powerful national organisation was desired by all Muslim Leagues and their supporters.
He said that the Working Committee of this Party will meet in Dacca on September 25 to discuss the political situation in the country. Asked why he merged his party three days before the proposed meeting of his Working Committee which was the only competent body to recommend the merger, he said. "Lot of paper work has already been done in this regard" and added "some thing practical was needed to achieve the merger and I have done that."
He drew the attention of newsmen to a resolution passed by the last Council session of the party in which the party president was authorised to negotiate and finalise the merger of three Muslim Leagues. He said that his decision was not unauthorised.
Mr. Shamsul Huda said efforts for the merger of three factions of Muslim League was
going on since quite some time but the announcement of bye-
He said that merger of three Muslim Leagues will also start process of formation
of a united platform of the like minded political parties wedded to the cause of
Pakistan and Islam. He said that united platform of like minded parties should emerge
before bye-
He told a questioner that in his opinion Pakistan Democratic Party, Jamaat-
When asked if there may be some opposition to his merger efforts by his own partymen he said, "I don't think anybody will oppose it."
When asked if the leadership of Qayyum Muslim League has accepted his leadership Mr. Shamsul Huda said there should not be any doubt about it, and added "I have been appointed chief organiser of the party by Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan who was recently authorised by his party to take decision with regard to merger of the Muslim Leagues." He did not think that there could be any challenge by Qayyum Muslim League leadership to his leadership in East Pakistan.
Mr. Huda also read a prepared statement giving details of the merger move.
The East Pakistan Minister for basic Democracies and Local Government, Maulana Mohammad Ishaque, said in Dacca last night that he planned to study a new the question of reconstituting the Union Councils in the province.
Talking to PPI at his residence, the Minister said that he had already called for files of the subject and that after personally studying pros and cons of the question, he would take the final decision within reasonable time.
Maulana Ishaque said that he personally was in favour of reconstituting these Union Council setups in which responsible members or chairman were not available to run them.
He said that the Government was very anxious to start different schemes of Works Progamme with a view to helping people financially in rural areas. Funds have been allocated for Works Programme and as soon as flood waters subsided, work under the programme would be started in full swing all over the province.
For the success of this endeavour of the Government to stand by the needy rural people, United Councils must function properly and hence the need of reconstituting the imperative once at the earliest.
Profile of Bengal