DACCA: Resolutions demanding the election of a constitution-making body on the basis of adult franchise, release of all political prisoners and criticising the proposed restrictions on the formation of political parties were adopted at a big public meeting held at the Paltan Maidan here yesterday.

The meeting also expressed complete agreement with the joint statement issued by nine political leaders a few days ago, and assured the leaders solid support of the people in their efforts to achieve their objectives.

The meeting, the first of its kind since the lifting of the Martial Law, was organised by leaders of the defunct political parties, including Shaikh Mujibur Rahman, Mahmud Ali, Shah Azizur Rahman and Dudu Miah, it was presided over by Nurul Amin, a former chief minister of East Pakistan.

Among the notables who jam-packed the dais were former ministers Fazlur Rahman and Mohammad Ibrahim, as well as Mir Zaheeruddin and Syed Azizul Huq. The meeting was addressed by Ataur Rahman Khan, Shaikh Mujibur Rahman, Mahmud Ali, Abu Hossain Sarkar and Nurul Amin.

The resolution regarding the demand for the election of a constitution-making body said that this body should frame a constitution wherein the state should exercise its powers and authority through the elected representatives of the people; wherein fundamental rights of citizens are guaranteed and made justifiable; wherein the system of government should be parliamentary and federal which is best suited to the genius of the people of Pakistan; wherein provision should be made for adult franchise so that the supremacy of the will of the people may be unquestioned and absolute; wherein the independence of judiciary should be fully secured; and wherein the principles of democratic freedom, equality, tolerance and social justice should be fully maintained and observed.—Agencies