Dawn
22nd February 1969
Shahabuddin to meet Mujib and Bhashani Reaches Dacca on important mission
LAHORE, Feb 21: The Central Information and Broadcasting Minister, Khwaja Shahabuddin, said here today that door for the political talks with the Opposition leaders were still open.
He was talking to newsmen on his arrival here on his way from Rawalpindi to Dacca.
He said he was going on a very important mission to East Pakistan and would try to persuade Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Maulana Bhashani to attend the Round Table Conference.
He declined to comment when asked whether he was carrying any formula for the resolution of the present deadlock.
Replying to a question he said it would have been inappropriate for the Government to have agreed to talk to Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan as the sole representative of the Democratic Action Committee.
Commenting on Air Marshal Asghar Khan statement in which the Air Marshal had expressed doubts about the sincerity of purpose on the part of the Government, Khwaja Shahbuddin said there seemed to be some misunderstanding. “We are not going to talk as opposite parties but we propose to mutuality discuss the political problems confronting the country.”
Khwaja Shahabuddin also had a telephonic conversation with the East Pakistan Governor, Mr. Abdur Monem Khan, from the VIP lounge of the Lahore airport.
He later left for the West Pakistan Governor’s House accompanied by Provincial Chief Secretary Mr. B, A, Kureshi and Information Secretary, Mr. Masud-ur-Rauf.
DOORS OPEN
Earlier in Rawalpindi, Mr. S. M. Zafar, who had come to see off Khwaja Shahabuddin at Chaklala, said: “We want to keep the door open for talks with the Opposition.”
Asked about the nature of the talks Khwaja Saheb was going to hold with Maulana Bhasahni and Mr. Mujibur Rahman, the Law Minister said, the future of the Government Opposition negotiations would depend on the talks which Khwaja Saheb would have with these two East Pakistan leaders.
Vice-Admiral A.R. Khan, the Minister for Defence and Home Affairs, it may be mentioned, is already in Dacca. He had gone there yesterday and was expected to return to the interim capital this evening.
Later on arrival in Dacca, Khwaja Shahabuddin, was received at the airport by the Defence Minister, Mr. AR Khan. The G.O.C. East Pakistan, Major General Muzafiaruddin, was also present at the airport.
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