West Wing Concern.
During his slay in Dacca he would also convey to the people in Hast Pakistan of the great concern of the people in West Pakistan over the latest developments and would impress upon the need for greater harmony, brotherly love and mutual forbearance.
Mr. Asghar Khan was highly critical of the way in which the political situation in the country was allowed to deteriorate progressively during the last three months.
In this, he noted, the responsibility lay on bureaucracy, vested interests, businessmen, and “some” politicians who all combined to thwart democracy in the country.
He said in reply to a question that it was in the global interest of the USA lo have Pakistan divided. An effort was being made whereby it is West Pakistan which is pushing East Pakistan to fall apart, and go in the lap of international conspirators.
Mr. Asghar Khan, however, made it clear that in that eventuality West Pakistan itself would not remain united and integrated, if one half of Pakistan was “finished".
He said he refused to believe there had been any threat of aggression from India. No grave emergency of this nature exists, he added.
Reiterating his plea for the transfer of power, the Air Marshal (Reid.) said that West Pakistan had ruled for 23 years and East Pakistan had immensely suffered. So if East Pakistan were now to rule Pakistan and exercise its democratic right, what if West Pakistan were to suffer a little.
However, lie believed that in the transfer of power lay the good of the entire nation both of East and West Pakistan.
While strongly opposing the action taken in the Eastern Wing against the movement for restoration of democracy, he said, “our hearts bleed when East Pakistani brethren arc being killed with bullets”.
Air Marshal Asghar Khan said the people in the Western Wing were strongly against the killings in the Eastern Wing and he for himself would not hesitate to give any sacrifice for the restoration of democracy in the country.
The retired Air Marshal said “Things have gone too far” and if power was not transferred forthwith by the present regime he would launch a movement in support of the East Pakistani people who were really ‘frustrated’ and disillusioned. He clarified that this was not a threat but a statement of fact’.
He told newsmen that he was leaving for Dacca today to acquaint himself with the existing conditions and the sufferings of the people'.
The only way left to safeguard the integrity and solidarity of the country is to restore democracy in the country’, he said emphatically, and demanded that the armed forces should go to the barracks.
