POLITICAL CRISIS WILL BE RESOLVED

Text of the message of the President Yahya Khan on March 22, 1971

 

The President, Gen. A. M. Yahya Khan has said that the stage is now set for our elected representatives to work together for the common goal accom­modating both East and West Wings in a smoothly working harmonious system.

 

In a Pakistan Day message, President Yahya reminded the nation that Pakis­tan was today at the cross-roads. He said that at this critical juncture when our very national existence is at stake "let us pray to Almighty Allah to guide us on the right path."

 

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The following is the text of the message of the President:

 

"On this historic day, 31 years ago, we solemnly pledged ourselves to secure a homeland of our own. The Quaid-i-Azam, expressing the will of the people, declared that Pakistan should be a democratic state based on Islamic principles of social justice. Its destiny lies in adhering to the principles of democracy and the willing consent of the people of all parts of the country to live and work together for the greater glory and integrity of Pakistan.

 

"In pursuance of this objective, the present regime has worked ceaselessly to ensure peaceful transfer of power to the representatives of the people elected through free and fair elections. The stage is now set for our elected representa­tives to work together for the common goal which would accommodate both East and West Wings in a smoothly working harmonious system.

 

"Today we must rededicate ourselves to the principles enunciated by the father of the nation; namely, unity in our ranks, faith in our destiny and discipline in the conduct of our affairs. If we adhere to these principles, which constitute the very basis of our existence and act in a spirit of tolerance and moderation, I have no doubt that we shall succeed in de solving, the current political crisis. In the agonies of trying to return to democracy there have been unhappy develop­ments but nothing is lost if we do not lose faith in our destiny.

 

"Pakistan is at the cross-roads today. At this critical juncture when our very national existence is at stake, let us pray to Almighty Allah to guide us on the right path". Pakistan paindabad.

 

(THE PAKISTAN TIMES, Lahore-March 23, 1971)

 

 

Source: Bangladesh Documents, vol – I, p. 260-261