Pakistan Observer
20th February 1969
Sole representative for talks named: DAC moots Mujib’s release issue
RAWALPINDI, Feb. 19:-The Government Opposition round table conference on political problems could not start today as schedule with both sides not knowing when they will get down to talks, reports APP.
The central body of the Democratic Action Committee which ended a seven hour session early this morning suggesting a brief postponement later nominated Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan as sole representative for the parleys
The Nawabzada conveyed the DAC decision to Khwaja Shahabuddin the senior most minister in the Presidential Cabinet who is reported to have expressed his dissatisfaction with it. Khwaja Shaheb according to reliable sources pointed out to the DAC convener that the decision was in consistent with the earlier decision that full delegation of the DAC would take part in the conference.
Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan then convened an emergency meeting of the DAC to consider Khwaja Shahbuddin’s response to its decision.
Earlier the Convener of the Central Democratic Action Committee said here this afternoon that the committee had discussed the question of Mr. Mujibur Rahman’s release and general political situation in the country during its meeting last night and this morning.
He was talking to newsmen shortly after the committee’s decision to authorise him, to hold talks with President Ayub as the sole representative of the DAC.
Asked about the topics discussed at the DAC’s meetings last night and this morning. Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan said Mujib’s release was a very important issue and it was also discussed at the conference along with the general political situation of the country.
Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan told a questioner that the Central Democratic Action Committee’s decision to send him (Nawabzada Nasrullah) as the sole representative of the DAC for talks with the President, was a unanimous decision and the Awami League had agreed to it.
He said the DAC had taken the whole thing into consideration including Mujibur Rahman’s case before making any decision.
As regards the date and time of his talks with the President Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan said he would communicate the decision of the committee to the President and I was upto him to fix the date and time for the talks. He said he had no objection if the DAC was represented by him alone and the President was also assisted by a large team.
Replying to another question he said he had notmet any priorities in the eight point as far as talks with the President was concerned.
The decision of the committee was read out to the waiting newsmen by Mr. Farid Ahmad, MNA, (Nizame Islam) member of Central DAC.
Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan declined to add anything to the decision.
The Central Democratic Action Committee had essembled at the residence of a Nizam Islam leader, Mr. Shahabuddin Advocate, at 7-15 p.m. yesterday.
It adjourned last night at about 2-30 after a seven hour meeting to reassemble at midday today.
The meeting which was presided oven by the Convener of the DAC Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan was attended by the representatives of the component parties including the representatives of East Pakistan Awami League exponent of Six Point.
Earlier report adds: The government DAC round table conference on the country is political problems could not start at 10 a.m. today as scheduled following a DAC Central Committee announcement expressing its inability to attend at the given time.
The DAC decision was announced in the early hours of this morning after a seven hour session in which the situation arising out of the refusal of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of the Awami League (Six Points) and five other leaders of attend the conference was discussed.
Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, told reporters after the Central Committee meeting that they would request the government that as they were still holding the talks they would not be able to attend the conference at 10 am as scheduled.
The non-DAC leaders who have declined invitations to attend the conference are: Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, chief of National Awami Party, Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, and three independents Air Marshal Asghar Khan, Mr. S. M. Murshed and Lt. Gen. Azam Khan.
সুত্র: সংবাদপত্রে বঙ্গবন্ধু: পঞ্চম খণ্ড ॥ ষাটের দশক ॥ চতুর্থ পর্ব ॥ ১৯৬৯