PAKISTAN OBSERVER
2nd September 1957
Safety Act To Die Natural Death: C.M.
The Chief Minister Mr. Ataur Rahman Khan said yesterday that he thought the Pakistan Safety Act would die its natural death. The Ordinance which was promulgated recently extending the life of the Act till April 30, 1958, was to have been placed before the National Assembly in pursuance of a Constitutional provision. But it was not done till yesterday when the Assembly was adjourned since die.
Mr. Ataur Rahman Khan denied that Provincial Government was thinking of re-introducing the Safety Act. When questioned about the Press report on alleged objectionable conduct of a senior member of the East Pakistan Cabinet during the Visits to Calcutta, the Chief Minister said “I do not know anything about it”.
The Chief Minister returned here yesterday from Karachi after attending meetings of the National Assembly and the National Economic Council.
He said to the Pressmen at the airport that the Provincial Assembly was expected to meet on September 21. He also said that there was no possibility of any expansion of the Provincial Cabinet “at the moment” But he indicated that there might be a redistribution of protfolios in view of the vacancies caused by the exit of Mr. Mahmud Ali and Mr. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. When asked to comment on Mr. Gurmani’s ‘forced resignation, the Chief Minister said that the decision was taken by the Central Cabinet and as such he had no comment to make. The matter was not discussed in the Central Coalition Party, he added. He also did not know if any other Republican Minister would resign in protest against the removal of Mr. Gurmani. On the political situation in the Province, the Chief Minister repeated his earlier assertion that only 16 or 17 MPAs had left the Awami League Coalition Party.
COALITION TALKS
When asked if there was any possibility of reviving the coalition talks with the K.S.P., the chief minister posed a counter-question to the pressmen: “were the talks closed?” but he immediately amended the statement by adding that the talks were neither opened nor closed.
The chief Minister also said that the Prime Minister might come to Dacca on sept. 10 on a 10 day tour of the province during which he would visit some of the districts and address public meeting there. Mr. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman the Awami league General Secretary, and Mr. Peter Gemes also returned yesterday after attending the National assembly session.