| শিরোনাম | সূত্র | তারিখ |
| প্রেসিডেণ্ট ইয়াহিয়া কর্তৃক ক্ষমতা হস্তান্তরের পরিকল্পনা ঘোষণা |
মনিং নিউজ | ২৯ মার্চ, ১৯৭০ |
TEXT OF PRESIDENT YAHYA KHAN’S
ADDRESS TO THE NATION (MARCH 28, 1970)
My Dear Countrymen, Assalam-Alaikum.
It is now four months since I spoke to you last. In many ways, these four months have been of considerable significance for us all. I propose, therefore, to give you a brief survey of what has been achieved in this period in various sectors and what still remains to be achieved.
As I have often said, the main objective that I have placed before myself is the peaceful transfer of power to the elected representatives of the people. But let me also make it clear that this is by no means the only responsibility of the Government. It has a host of other responsibilities and duties and we have every intention of carrying these out as long as the task of administering this country devolves on us.
The political parties of the country were denied the freedom to propagate views and explain their programmes for many years and therefore when, on the so January, 1970, the ban on holding of public meetings and taking out the processions was lifted, an overenthusiastic use of this freedom was only to be expected. But unfortunately, in some cases people transgressed the limits of good order.
It must be remembered that at this critical of juncture of our history, self-discipline and the rule of Supreme importance. In the present context, every act of indiscipline or law breaking has every wide repercussion. This tendency for creating disorder must therefore be strictly curbed. Otherwise, our progress towards the achievement of democracy, that we so keenly desire, will be seriously impeded.
We must face facts and appreciate that Pakistan is passing through a phase surcharged with tension, and the slightest provocation can result in serious trouble. Whilst the Government has no intention of interfering with the right of any citizen to express his views or to work for a particular programme in the political field, as long as these are in keeping with the ideology and integrity of Pakistan, it has the right to ensure that all this activity is carried out within the limits of the law of the land.
In fact, I would ask everyone, be they political leaders and workers, labor or students, to think twice before they say anything or act in any manner, and ask themselves if what they are going to say or do, would be beneficial to the country or if it would harm it in however an indirect manner it may be. I am, referring here not only to
