PRESIDENT YAHYA KHAN'S ADDRESS TO THE NATION
on December 3, 1970.
My dear countrymen, Assalam-o-Alaikum.
In the second week of last month the coastal regions
of
Everything possible is being done to bring succour
to the survivors of this terrible tragedy. The East Pakistan Government as well
as the Central Government have spared no efforts in seeing to it that food,
medicines and shelter are provided to the affected people.
The task is of gigantic proportions. But I want to
assure you that it is being handled with utmost speed and efficiency.
I am also gratified to note the generous response of
the people to this tragedy that has befallan their brethren.
I have been greatly moved by the universal upsurge
of sympathy for us at this tragic time. The response from all over the world
has been most heart warming. There have been spontaneous and generous offers of
help and we are most grateful to the world community to the world leaders and
to the several international agencies for their sympathy and assistance in our hour
of distress and trial.
Let us pray to Almighty God to spare us from such
calamities in the future.
I would now like to say a word or two about the
forthcoming elections. We have come a long way since March, 1969. On the very
first day I appraised you of my aim of transferring power to the elected
representatives of the people.
I thank Almighty God, that in exactly four days, we
shall achieve our goal of holding the first ever general elections in the
country. As you also know we had to cross many hurdles during the last year and
eight months. Our objective could not have been achieved if the Government and
the people had not acted with patience and determination.
Many doubts were expressed regarding the sincerity
and intentions of this regime but despite this we remained steadfast in our aim
of bringing back democracy in our land. We are now about to complete the first
phase of our plan.
My dear countrymen, let me appeal to everyone of
you, to realise, at this most crucial period of our history the importance of
our first general elections on the basis of adult franchise. Elect your
representatives with care and wisdom. Vote for candidates who have the good of
the people at heart and who are devoted to the ideology and integrity of
You must realise that this country was not created
for individuals or for groups of individuals. It was created for the good of
all its people. Choose your representatives to represent you and to serve you.
The aim of these elections is not to transfer power to a few hands, but it is
to transfer power to representatives of all the people of
The only permanency is that of the nation, its
values, its honour and its ideology. Individuals come and go but the nation,
Insha Allah, will live for ever. To those who have offered themselves as
candidates for the National Assembly, I would like to say that they should
appreciate, that when elected their first task would be to make a constitution
for this country.
The successful completion of this task would call
for great patience and wisdom of a high order. They must, therefore, embark
upon this great and noble task in a spirit of humility and dedication to the
cause of those who reposed their confidence in them by voting for them.
Let me at this stage remind you that these general
elections are being held under the provisions of the Legal Framework Order and
under the overall cover of Martial Law.
The elections are only the first phase of our plan.
The next phase will be the framing of the Constitution and the final phase
would be the transfer of power to the elected representatives, Sovereignty
would pass to the National Assembly on conclusion of this last phase and on
lifting of Martial Law.
Needless to say, until this whole process is
complete Martial Law will remain supreme in the country.
I would like to suggest to the elected
representatives and in particular to the leaders of the political parties that
they could usefully employ the period between their election and the first
session of the National Assembly in getting together and arriving at a
consensus on the main provisions of our future constitution.
This will call for a spirit of give and take trust
in each other and realisation of the extreme importance of this particular
juncture in our history.
We have seen many ups and downs during the last year
and a half in the law and order situation in the country. But by and large, the
situation has remained well under control. This was mainly due to the fact that
the people and the Government, while exercising due patience, refused to
tolerate excesses. This policy has served as well.
Indeed, it is because of this judicious blending of
patience and firmness that we have arrived today at a stage when we can look
forward to reasonably peaceful and orderly general elections on the 7th
December.
Realise, of course, that the tempo of electioneering
will remain at a high pitch until the stipulated time. I would therefore, like
to caution political leaders, workers and indeed, the general public to remain
within the bounds of law and while propagating the cause of their chosen
candidates, constantly bear in mind the provisions of the relevant regulations.
The Government does not wish to be harsh, but on the
other hand, it has every intention to see these elections through.
We shall, therefore, not tolerate any activity which
jeopardises the peaceful conduct of the elections. All forces of law and order
as well as the Armed Forces will see to it that those who either deliberately
or otherwise obstruct the completion of this first phase of our plan of
transfer of power, severly dealt with and are duly prevented from doing so.
These next few days are absolutely vital and I have
ordered all concerned to be on their toes to prevent any untowards incidents.
In fact, as I am addressing you, the Armed Forces
are already deployed in order to assist in the maintenance of law and order and
to ensure a peaceful atmosphere during the elections.
The elections will result in triumphs for certain
parties and candidates and disappointment to others. Such a situation tends to
result in tension but I would like to warn all concerned, at this stage that in
the interest of peace and tranquility and to ensure that the life of the common
man is not disturbed it is necessary to show humility in victory and patience
and understanding in defeat.
* * * * *
In the end I would once again like to stress the
importance of having a peaceful atmosphere for the forthcoming elections.
These elections are a step towards democracy and
tolerance is one of the basic requirements of the democratic way of life.
Khuda Hafiz.
(THE DAWN, Karachi-December 4, 1970)
Source: