পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (সপ্তম খণ্ড).pdf/১২১

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বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র : সপ্তম খণ্ড
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political upheaval in 1969 against this constitution. I, therefore, through that the people's representatives should frame a constitution of their own, but in order to eliminate the unhappy aspects of the previous attempts at constitution-making in Pakistan, I put a limit of one hundred and twenty days for this exercise. And I also laid down some basic principles for the constitution in my Legal Framework order. When I fixed the time limit of one hundred and twenty days, it was done in consultation with political leaders, including Mujibur Rahman, and it was expected that they would devote their full attention to the framing of the constitution and that general agreement on the broad aspects of the constitution would be arrived at outside the assembly, so as to facilitate the task of constitution-making the stipulated period. But unfortunately my hopes and plans were frustrated by the uncompromising and unpatriotic attitude of the defunct Awami League.

Group of experts of draft new constitution

 Against this background and in view of present circumstances. I find that there is no other alternative for me but to have the constitution prepared by a group of experts. This constitution will be subject to amendments by the National Assembly on the basis of an amending procedure, as will be laid down in the constitution itself. The constitution will be based on a careful study of a number of constitutions and will be based also on the aspirations of the people of various regions of Pakistan, as assessed by me over the last two years. I have already set up a constitution committee and a draft is being prepared by them, once a draft is ready. I will consult various leaders of the assembly regarding the provisions of the draft. Final shape will be given to the constitution, in the light of my discussions and consultations with various experts and leaders.

 I may add that certain guidelines with regard to the future constitution have already been spelled out in the Legal Framework order of 1970 which were generally welcomed by the people. First, the constitution of Pakistan must be based on Islamic idcology, on the basis of which Pakistan was created and on the basis of which it is still preserved. It must be the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in a true sense. The constitution shall also provide for full social and economic justice to various sections of our society. The constitution should be a federal one and it must have all its characteristics. As stated in the Legal Framework Order the provinces shall have maximum autonomy, including legislative, administrative and financial powers, but the federal government shall also have adequate powers, including legislative, administrative and financial powers to discharge its responsibilities in relation to external and internal affairs and to preserve the independence and territorial integrity of the country.

By-elections to be held for a few seats declared vacant

 I have also indicated to the committee that, in the interest of the integrity of the country, it would be a good thing, it we ban any party which is confined to a specific region, and is not national in a practical sense. Then again, we must eschew this business of having two, three or four sub parties within a party, in short it is my hope that this constitution will ensure that everything which tends to make our political life cumbersome, shaky, insecure and unpatriotic is eradicated and that it helps to infuse a