PAKISTAN TO RETURN TO CIVILIAN RULE?
President Yahya Khan of Pakistan has said that the hopes to return the country to civilian rule in about four months under a new consititution giving the provinces maximum autonomy wihin the federal framework.
In a nationwide broadcast Monday night the President said the precise timing of the transfer of power to elected representatives would depend on the internal and external situation at the time. He said committee had been set up to draft the constitution and he would consult various leaders of the National Assembly regarding provisions of the draft.
The President ruled out fresh elections but said that those who had indulged in anti-state acts would be disqualified from the national and provincial assemblies. The others would be allowed to retain their status as elected representatives but not as members of the Awami League which has been banned following the eruption of civil strife in East Pakistan.
Awami League Attacked
President Yahya Khan attacked the Awami League and its arrested leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. “The people of East Pakistan led voted for provincial autonomy and not for the disintegration of the country”, he said.
Some of the leading members of the Awami League had taken the path of defiance, disruption and secession, the President charged.
No Government Worth its Name
President Yahya said : “No Government worth its name could allow the country to be destroyed by opening armed rebellion against the state”.
He paid tribute to the armed forces which he said “moved out with firm determination to put an end to the activities of the miscreants”.
President Yahya added : It is unfortunate that our neighbour (India) which has never missed an oportunity to cripple our country rushed to help the secessionists with men and material to inflame the situation further, and this was all preplanned.
“As the troops moved forward and fanned out the whole plan of collusion between the Awami League extremist rebels and our hostile neighbour gradually unfolded itself”. Foreign Aid On foreign aid the President said : “For many years now we have been receiving aid for our development program from a number of aid-giving countries. This we gratefully ackowledge.
“I regret to have to say, however, that lately there have been indications that the foreign aid is acquiring certain political overtones and the people of Pakistan are getting the impression that strings are being sought to be attached to such aid. If this
is to be the case let me say quite categoricaly that aid which seeks to make inroads into our sovereignty is not accountable to us. We shall be fully prepared to do without it.
President Yahya said : “It is a matter of satisfacton that in the difficult situation that the country has faced in the past few months the reaction and response from an overwhelming number of countries had been of sympathy and understanding of the problems we are facing and crying to resolve”.
He added : “our friends abroad have given complete support to the action taken by the Government to maintain the unity and integrity of Pakistan. They have at the same time warned those who have atempted to interfare in our internal affairs to desist from such action’.
Appreciation to friend’s governments
The president expressed Pakistan’s appreciation and gratitude to them. “We are also heartened by the durable response of the United Nations organisation and its agencies, for the need for cooperative assistance in securing the damage to the economic life of East Pakistan”, he added.
“At present we are engaged in consultation with friendly governments and the United Nations Secretary-General for securing necesary help for relief work in different fields”.
India Accused
“Our plans for the reconstruction of the economy and the early resumption of political activity in East Pakistan are threatened by India’s continued interference in our internal affairs. Armed infiltration and open encouragement and assistance to secessionists have heightened tension between the two countries.” Reuter.
Reference : The Djakarta Times, 01.07.1971