Morning News
3rd August 1964
Talk of Fair Elections Meaningless
Without Political Freedom-Mujib
Karachi, Aug. 2 (APP): The General Secretary of the East Pakistan Awami League Sheikh Mujibur Rahman , said here today talk of fair elections was meaningless without “political freedom and freedom of expression”.
Addressing party workers at the Awami League Office in Bahadour Shah Market this morning, he said that if the Government was really sincere to hold fair and free elections it should create an atmosphere to give equal electioneering opportunities to the Opposition.
He was of the view that true democratic atmosphere would prevail if the Government withdrew the Press Ordinance, released all political prisoners and withdrew the ban on the use of loudspeakers and dropped all political cases.
In addition, he said, parity should be introduced in matters of broadcasts from Radio Pakistan. The radio must project the viewpoint of the Opposition for the same duration as is done in case of the rulling party. He pointed out that he was not demanding anything unusual from the Government. In a real democracy, he maintained, the Opposition must be regarded as a part and parcel of Government, as was the case in all the democratic countries of the world.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman also demanded the withdrawal of what he termed as “screening law” under which candidates to the presidency would be officially screened before their nomination. He said that this measure was unacceptable to the Opposition since it would be misused by the party in power.
The Awami League leader criticised various other policies of the Government, particularly those in the economic field.
AMERICAN ECONOMY
He said Finance Minister, Mr. Shoaib, was trying “to inflict American economy on a poor country like Pakistan.
He said that the result was very obvious: the rich were becoming richer and the poor poorer. He was very bitter of the rural works programme and described it as an “unproductive programme” on the basis of his experience of East Pakistan. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman claimed that the people of East Pakistan were overwhelmingly in favour of the Opposition.
In this connection, he cited many instances. In one case, he told the workers that a public meeting addressed by Central Minister, Mr. Sabur, in Dacca on July 11 only drew 3,000 people. As compared with that, a public meeting arranged by the Opposition the very next day attracted at least one lakh persons. He was of the opinion that Central Ministers from East Pakistan had lost contact with the people.
CO-OPERATION BY OPPOSITION
Speaking of the spirit of co-operation displayed by the five opposition parties who have decided to jointly contest the forthcoming elections, the Awami League leader said it was just unbelieveable. “Take my own case, I left the Muslim League” platform soon after formation of Pakistan.
But last night, I addressed a public meeting held under the auspices of the Council Muslim League. This is the first time I did so. But I am very satisfied and pleased about it.
He said the forthcoming conventioin of the five Opposition parties in Karachi next month would be very important one as the Presidential nominee of the Opposition would be chosen then. He added that if the Government agreed to the nine-point programme chartered by the joint Opposition, it would be ready to consider the question of electing President Ayub to the presidency for another term.
…. POINT PROGRAMME
The meeting passed a number of resolutions. One resolution demanded immediate implementations of Krugg Mission’s recommendations on flood control in East Pakistan. By another resolution the meeting demanded the release of Khwaja Rafique, an Awami Leaguer of Lahore. Mr. Manzurul Haque, a Karachi Awami League leader also spoke on the occation.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who arrived here yesterday from Dacca will leave for Bahawalpur on Tuesday on his way to Lahore.
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