DACCA: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Awami League Chief, today [Feb 23] discarded parity and demanded representation in all spheres on the basis of population ... He was speaking at a reception attended by over half a million people … The Awami League Chief demanded election of a sovereign Parliament on the basis of direct adult franchise which would either amend the present Constitution or frame a new one. He said he wanted full regional autonomy … and for West Pakistan a sub-federation with autonomy for its provinces. He asked the Government to leave the issue of One Unit to the people of West Wing to be decided by vote. …

He said that he had first in early 1966 placed his demand for a Constitution on the basis of his Six-Point Programme at a conference in Lahore. He added when the present regime had refused to pay any heed to it, he placed it before the people. He said that the regime had accused him of trying to bring about secession of East Pakistan. But he asked why the Eastern Wing with 56 per cent of the population of the country would go for secession. The Sheikh said: “If they (West Pakistan) want it they can do it. What we want are our rights as citizens of Pakistan. What we want is due share in national affairs.” — Agencies

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2019