Dawn
27th February 1969
Mujib to Speak for all Pakistanis : Pays tributes to martyrs of West Pakistan
RAWALPINDI, Feb 26: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the East Pakistan Awami League leader, said here today that he would speak for all the people of Pakistan.”
He made this remark to pressmen while referring to an editorial in the “Pakistan Times” of today entitled “Who speaks for West?” as he came of the Round Table conference.
Later, he issued the following statement to the press at the East Pakistan House. “On the eve of his departure for Dacca after a short visit to Rawalpindi, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman said:
“I wish to express my deep sense of gratitude to the people of West Pakistan for their love and affection shown to me through massive welcome.
“Despite my ardent desire I could not manage time during my short stay here on account of preoccupation round the clock to meet the political workers and offer my prayers at the mazar of the martyrs, who by their supreme sacrifice opened a new chapter in our national history.
“I am leaving Rawalpindi today to be with my family during Eid-ul-Azha, after three years of absence on account of detention in jail. By the grace of Allah, I will try to meet the political workers here and offer my Prayers at the mazars of the martyrs upon return after Eid. “This year’s Eid-ul-Azha will find a new significance in the sacrifice of our nation for a common cause, namely the restoration of people’s rights and attainment of their dignity through popular consensus.
TOUCHING WARMTH
“The touching warmth I felt in the people of West Pakistan for the people of East Pakistan in their demand for regional autonomy leaves me in no doubt that we shall together succeed in realising our objectives for which so much sacrifices have been made.”
Sheikh Mujib left here for Lahore by a chartered plane this afternoon on route to Dacca, accompanied by his 11-member team, which came here in connection with the Central DAC meeting and the RTC.
সুত্র: সংবাদপত্রে বঙ্গবন্ধু: পঞ্চম খণ্ড ॥ ষাটের দশক ॥ চতুর্থ পর্ব ॥ ১৯৬৯