Dawn
14th March 1969
ADULT FRANCHISE, PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM: Ayub accepts proposal: New Assembly to take up other issues: RTC ends
FROM M. A. MANSURI
RAWALPINDI, MARCH 13: THE GOVERNMENT- OPPOSITION ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE CAME TO AN AYUB KHAN TODAY WITH PRESIDENT ANNOUNCING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROPOSAL FOR DIRECT ADULT FRANCHISE AND PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT, WITHOUT HOWEVER DISTURBING THE BASIS OF PARITY OR DISTRIBUTION OF SUBJECTS.
THE PRESIDENT MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT IN A WRITTEN SPEECH WHICH HE READ OUT BEFORE THE RTC IN WHICH HE ALSO SAID THAT THE UNRESOLVED ISSUES RAISED AT THE CONFERENCE COULD BE SETTLED BY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE TO BE ELECTED UNDER DIRECT ADULT FRANCHISE.
While most opposition leaders attending the conference, welcomed President Ayub’s announcement, the Six-Point Awami League chief Sheikh Mujibur Rahman told the RTC that mere acceptance of the two demands would not satisfy the people of East Pakistan and the smaller regions in West Pakistan. He said he would work “peacefully and constitutionally” for the realisation of the remaining demands, which included complete regional autonomy and dismemberment of One Unit and representation on population basis.
Talking to newsmen after the conference, President Ayub described his meetings with the Opposition leaders as “very historic”. He expressed gratitude that certain … reached after his “free and frank discussion” with these leaders.
He said there were some other issues, very time-absorbing and time-consuming and could be settled by further discussions and tackled by the assembly that would come with the new charter.
He said at present we reached certain decisions which can be settled by the present Assembly.
NA SESSION
Later commenting on the President’s announcement, Law Minister Mr. S. M. Zafer said that the Assembly should be called to session as soon as possible.
About the proposals presented by him today, President Ayub said some of the Opposition leaders appreciated them, while some others had their own difficulties.
PPI adds: He, however, hoped that this will enable the people “to settle down and not destroy the things as they are doing now. He said nobody knows where the marches, strikes and countermarches will lead you. He said these things do take place, but this should not be allowed to destroy the country and its economy.
The President warned that “if law and order is not restored every one of you will suffer.
In reply to a question, the President said the RTC has come to an end, but he said, the details of the decisions will be worked …………. one or two problems, which they will report after discussion.
UNSOLVED PROBLEMS
APP adds: Replying to a question, he said that certain problems remained unsolved, which the Opposition leaders would sort out among themselves and then could come to him.
Immediately after the President finished, three DAC members from West Pakistan, Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, Chaudhry Mohammad Ali and Maulana Maudoodi endorsed his speech.
Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan said that in taking the “realistic and courageous decision”, the President had demonstrated regard for the wishes of the 12 crore people of this country.
Mr. Nurul Amin, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, said that the President’s decision would have a “great relieving effect” on the people of Pakistan. He, however, said that the question of regional autonomy should have been solved also.
Chaudhry Mohammad Ali said that the President had shown “great statesmanship”. It would go down as a great event in history.
Maulana Maudoodi described the President’s decision as a “great historical event.”
Mian Mamtaz Daultana said, “most of the popular demands of the people have been met.”
In Lahore, Maulana Bhashani said that mere introduction of adult franchise and parliamentary form of Government could not solve the problems confronting the masses.
In Karachi Mr. Z. A. Bhutto, Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party, called for a neutral care-taker Government for holding fair and free elections in the country on the basis of adult franchise.
PPI adds:
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was later supported by Mr. Justice S. M. Murshed and Khan Wali Khan.
Justice Murshed said: what the President had given with one hand he had taken back with the other.
Khan Wali Khan, describing the Presidents announcement as “historic and statesmanlike,” said that politically certain decisions should have been taken in the RTC on One Unit and regional autonomy.
Air Marshal Asghar Khan described President Ayub’s decision as an ‘important step!’
NDF leader Mr. Hamiul Huq Choudhury said that the main two points have been accepted and this is a triumph of public opinion.
সুত্র: সংবাদপত্রে বঙ্গবন্ধু: পঞ্চম খণ্ড ॥ ষাটের দশক ॥ চতুর্থ পর্ব ॥ ১৯৬৯