Daily Dawn
26th September 1962
CONCORD ON AIMS, NOT ON MEANS
First round of Lahore talks ends
LAHORE, Sept 25 : The first round of the National Front talks between political leaders of East and West Pakistan concluded here today with reported agreement on the limited common objective of securing democratisation of the Constitution, but with some difference on the means of achieving this objective.
Though some of the participants in these talks have been parrying reporters by dismissing the question of the procedure of achieving democratisaton as one of detail, it is believed there is some difference of opinion as to whether the Constitution should be amended or a new Constituent Assembly should be striven for.
Most of the prominent West Pakistan leaders have already made it clear that they would prefer achieving democratisation within the framework of the Constitution. Spokesmen for both East and West Pakistan sides have repeatedly stressed that they are trying very hard to find some common ground.
A draft statement has also reportedly been prepared on behalf of West Pakistan leaders and is awaiting agreement before being released.
The talks today were again held at the residence of Mian Mahmud Ali Qasuri, former General Secretary of the National Awami Party and were participated in by almost all those who had attended the talks last night.
Prominent among those present were : Mr. H. S. Suhrawardy, Maulana Abul Ala Maudoodi Mian, Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani, Col. Abid Husain, Mian Mahmud Ali Qasuri, the Pir of Zakori Sharif, Mr. Ataur Rahman Khan, Mr. Zaheeruddin, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Shah Azizur Rahman, Mr. Mahmud Ali and most of the members of the East Pakistan delegation.
Mr. Yousuf Khattak, former General Secretary of the Muslim League, arrived here this morning and joined the talks towards the faglend.
Mr. Suhrawardy and the East Pakistan leaders are going to Gujranwala tomorrow and the talks are scheduled to be resumed here on Thursday, when they will probably be joined by Sardar Bahadur Khan. Then perhaps the attitude of the Muslim Leaguers-hitherto lukewarm might crystallise.
COMMENTS
Several comments were available after the talks today. Mr. Zaheeruddin, former Central Minister and one of the “nine leaders” of East Pakistan, said: “We had very cordial and very hopeful talks. The presence of Maulana Maudoodi and of Col. Abid Husain is significant”.
Maulana Maudoodi said both sides were endeavouring “very hard” to find a common ground. Asked to comment on Mr. Suhrawardy’s assertion that the Jamaat-e-Islami in East Pakistan had pledged support to the National Front move.
Maulana Maudoodi denied this and said there was no point in the Jamaat of one part doing something and the Jamaat in the other part something else.
Mr. Mahmud Ali, of the National Awami Party, said everyone is united on the point that the country must have a democratic Constitution.
Maulana Maudoodi has started consultations with members of his Majlis-e-Shoora present in Lahore. He would also meet Mian Mumtaz Mohammad Khan Daultana.
Maulana Maudoodi said it might be necessary to call a biger conference of leaders from West Pakistan. More East Pakistan leaders might also be associated in the negotiations.
Maulana Maudoodi did not consider it necessary that political parties need not be revived until the demand for democratisation of the Constitution was met.
Meanwhile three members of National Assembly’s Pak Peoples Group, Mr. Qamaruzzaman, Mr. Be-Nazir Ahmed, and Mr. Amjad Husain Ahmed, arrived in Lahore today to participate in the political talks here.
Talking to APP they said, “There is a big awakening among the people of the East Wing and they were not going to be satisfied with anything short of fully democratised Constitution and recognition of the sovereignty of the people.”
Mr. Qamaruzzaman said the East Wing leadership was guided by the demands of the people and would seek the cooperation of “anybody and every body” to achieve the objective.
Commenting on the support Mr. Suhrawardy commands in East Pakistan Mr. Be-Nazir Ahmed claimed the people of East Pakistan today stood enbloc behind Mr. Suhrawardy because he stood for their cause. -APP. PPA
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