RAWALPINDI: The Government-Opposition Round Table Conference came to an end today [March 13] with President Ayub Khan announcing the acceptance of the proposal for direct adult franchise and parliamentary system of Government, without however disturbing the basis of parity or distribution of subjects.

The President made the announcement in a written speech which he read out before the RTC in which he also said that the unresolved issues raised at the conference could be settled by the representatives of the people to be elected under direct adult franchise.

While most Opposition leaders attending the Conference welcomed President Ayub’s announcement, the Six-Point Awami League chief Sheikh Mujibur Rahman told the RTC that mere acceptance of the two demands would not satisfy the people of East Pakistan and the smaller regions in West Pakistan.

He said he would work “peacefully and constitutionally” for the realisation of the remaining demands, which included complete regional autonomy and dismemberment of One Unit and representation on population basis.

Talking to newsmen after the Conference, President Ayub described his meetings with the Opposition lenders as “very historic”. He expressed gratitude that certain broad agreement had been reached after his “free and frank discussion” with these leaders. — Correspondent

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2019