Yahya’s Decision Press Conference at Multan, November 30, 1969

After a careful evaluation of President Yahya Khan’s important broadcast, I would like to comment initially on the positive aspects of his policy statement. Two paramount decisions have been taken. One relates to the dismemberment of the One Unit and the other concerns the demand for proportionate representation. By taking these two decisions of vital importance to the country’s future, we have covered half the road to a constitutional settlement.

The question of an upper house and the division of powers between the central and provincial governments has been left open for determination by an elected assembly which has to decide these two essential questions and other related matters within the prescribed limit of four months.

As much as the first half of the formula arouses satisfaction, the reluctance to proceed to the other two questions gives rise to concern. Taking into account the history of constitution-making in Pakistan and the recent political crisis that flows from it, I wonder whether it will be possible for an assembly to arrive at a settlement of the remaining two questions, particularly the sensitive issue of the division of powers between the centre and the provinces.

This is all the more apparent because the Assembly has still to determine whether the constitution will be framed on the basis of a simple or a two-thirds majority. If the Assembly is to determine the procedure, it might get immediately deadlocked as either procedure contains inherent implications if left to the Assembly itself. The lacunae on these essential issues might give rise to a serious constitutional deadlock and to a new confrontation.

Nevertheless on the whole we have covered some ground and let us hope and pray that with consensus and with effort we complete this difficult task in a spirit of national fulfillment. Let us hope that the relationship between the regime and the Assembly does not turn out to be a romance like that of Romeo and Juliet in which Juliet, that is, the Assembly, meets a tragic end in the prime of her life.