Dawn
23rd February 1969
6 AL Leaders appeal to maintain peace: Mujib’s release hailed
RAWALPINDI, Feb 22: The acting president of East Pakistan Awami League (Six Point), Syed Nazrul Islam, and six other leaders of the party today appealed to the people to maintain peace and to act with sagacity and wisdom “so that normalcy may be completely restored and the transfer of power from one man to the people may be achieved through normal constitutional and peaceful means”.
They welcomed the repeal of the Ordinance under which their leader Sheikh Mujibur Rehman with others, was being tried and President Ayub Khan’s decision not to contest the next presidential elections.
Syed Nazrul Islam, besides himself, issued the joint statement on behalf of Mr. A. M. Kamruzzaman, MNA, and convener of all Pakistan Awami League, Mr. Khandakar Mostaque Ahmed, Vice president of EPAL, and Messrs Mollah Alaluddin, Shamsul Haque, Abdul Mannan, G. Mustafa Sarwar who are here in connection with the Democratic Action Committee meetings and the proposed Round Table Conference.
They said that by accepting the consistent demand of the people of both wings for the release of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Government had shown a good gesture to bring back normalcy in the country.
They hoped that with the removal of the “main impediment” the proposed Round Table Conference would soon be held to find out solutions to the country’s constitutional problems.
President Ayub Khan’s declaration not to contest the next presidential election followed by the release of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman they said was to be considered as a victory of the people at the beginning of a new chapter of our history in which the people’s voice will ultimately prevail over the affairs of the State.
The Awami League leaders congratulated all opposition parties inside and outside the Democratic Action Committee, independent leaders Air Marshal Asghar Khan, Mr.S. M. Murshed and LT.-Gen. Azam Khan, Students, labourers, peasants and all other sections of people in both the wings of the country who had demanded the release of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the withdrawal of his case.
PEOPLE’S UNITY
They expressed the hope that the unity of the people of both the Wings which has come through common sufferings, shall be maintained and unitedly they will fight together and work together of bring happiness and prosperity to the people of Pakistan.
They also hoped that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who is a leader of the tolling masses would come forward now to give a correct lead to the country so that the causes for which the martyrs in both wings of Pakistan have given their blood may soon be realised.
In Lahore, the former Industries Minister Ch. Nazir Ahmad said that the president decision of not seeking re-election and the withdrawal of the case against Sheikh Mujibur Rahman should create better climate for political understanding.
He said: “We are passing through a critical time. A corrupt inefficient and autocratic Government has brought Pakistan to the verge of social moral and economic bankruptcy. The administration may yet find it very difficult to justify its action in starting the Agartala Case. But we have yet to solve the law and order situation in the country and if we fail to do so in time it may be too late.
Syed Riaz Ahmad Pirzada, President of Awami League, Rawalpindi, said that the repeal of the Ordinance and release of Sheikh Mujib was the best news of the day. “I hail it on behalf of the local Awami League”, he said.
GOOD GESTURE
..In Karachi Sardar Bahadur Khan, a former Muslim League leader and an ex-member of the National Assembly on Saturday hailed the withdrawal of Agartala conspiracy Case and the release of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“It is a very good gesture”, he said and added that any political understanding with East Pakistanis could not have any meaning unless Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a party to it. When asked to comment on President Ayub’s announcement of Feb 21 about not contesting the next election Sardar Bahadur said he had no comments on it.
Sardar Bahadur was in Karachi on his way to pilgrimage to Mecca. He is flying to Jeddah on Sunday morning.
In Dacca, Mr. Wahiduzzaman, MNA, today welcomed the release of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and withdrawal of Agartala Conspiracy Case.
In a statement issued to the press. Mr. Wahiduzzaman, a former Central Minister said, it may now be necessary to bring to justice those that are responsible for instituting this case.”
He said this case had brought not only sufferings to a number of innocent people, but has also hurt the sentiment of the East Pakistanis and has damaged the image of Pakistan in the world.
Mr. Zaman hoped that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman should now be able to contribute his best towards the formulation of a suitable and satisfactory Constitution for the country. He said I must confess that this is a tumultuous victory of the people against tyranny and injustice.
Dewan Abdul Basit, Provincial Industries Minister, said today that after the memorable February 21, the day of February 22, 1969 is again a historic day.
He said that the supremacy of the people’s will had again been established. I congratulate our fellow freedom fighter, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman sahib and hope that he will now strive to make Pakistan into a more happier and prosperous state which has been the dream of all of us.
He said that the president indeed had once again demonstrated the deep respect for the majesty of people’s will.–APP.
সুত্র: সংবাদপত্রে বঙ্গবন্ধু: পঞ্চম খণ্ড ॥ ষাটের দশক ॥ চতুর্থ পর্ব ॥ ১৯৬৯