Yahya to call Assembly session on Dec. 27
NEW DELHI OCT. 12— President Yahya Khan of Pakistan today promised his people a new Central Government by the beginning of the year but gave no indication of its likely composition and character, reports U. N. I.
In a 40-minute broadcast over Radio Pakistan he said the new Constitution would be published by December 20 and the reconstituted National Assembly would be called into session on December 27.
He added: “To accelerate the process of transfer of power the Central Government will be formed soon after the inaugural session of the National Assembly.”
Gen. Yahya Khan sought to preempt criticism of his proposals by calling upon the political leaders to take note of the alleged threat to Pakistan’s integrity form India and declaring that “on no account should the people’s attention be directed from the basic issues of defence of the country and restoration of democracy.”
He prefaced his constitutional proposals with a tirade against India, which, he alleged, had moved forward army formations and air force units to positions close to Pakistan’s borders. He claimed that there existed a “serious possibility of aggression by India against Pakistan.”
In a review of international opinion on the East Bengal developments he said Pakistan had received “heart-warming meassages’ of solidarity from the Muslim world. He expressed deep appreciation of the Chinese stand and spoke of the “understanding” shown by the USA.
He noted the “keen desire” of the Soviet Prime Minister, Mr. Kosygin for maintenance of peace in the sub continent but regretted that he had made no mention of the positive steps” taken for the transfer of power.
He said the National Assembly would have every opportunity to suggest amendments to the Constitution and “an easier procedure for facilitating this work has been ovoled for the initial period of 90 days.”
Under the procedure, the Assembly might propose an amendment to the Constitution by a simple majority of the total number of seats of the Assembly and a consensus of provinces that is, the minimum of 25 per cent of total seats of each province.
To arrive at these figures, a fraction would be taken as a whole.
He said the 90-days period would include the time taken for the consideration or reconsideration of the proposed amendments by him. The period would be announced after the formation of the Central Government.
Gen. Yahya Khan said the proposed amendments would continue to be submitted to him throughout the 90-days period. “The last amendments, however, may be submitted to me by the House not later than 80 days from commencement of the three-month period in order to give me at least 10 days for such consideration or reconsideration.”
Gen. Yahya Khan said the National Assembly’s inaugural meeting would be held under the chairmanship of the “oldest member of the House who will be nominated by me.” This would be followed by oathtaking by the members and the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.
He said the Provincial Assemblies in West Pakistan could be summoned short notice after the completion of the by-elections.
As for East Bengal, the stage for the formation of the a Government there would have been set when the by elections to the Provincial Assembly were completed on January 3.
After spelling out his plan, Gen. Yahya Khan said:” This plan was fully made known to the political leaders and now I have explained it to the nation. There should be no longer any cause for speculation.
“While I would expect all political arties to sincerely revote their attention to the fulfillment of this plan, I would appeal to the leaders of the nation not to forget the grave danger of external and internal threats to the integrity and solidarity of the country.
“The stakes are so high and the danger so grave that no account should we be diverted form our main objectives the defence of this country and achievement of the democratic way of life.”
Reference: Hindustan Standard 13.10.1971