QUETTA: President General Agha Mohammad Yahya Khan has given the assurance that as soon as things become normal in every way and conditions obtaining in country permit, “I shall not take a minute longer to lift Martial Law”. He was talking to newsmen at Samungli airport on his arrival in Quetta this morning [July 2].

A questioner had asked him whether he thought it was feasible for him to lift Martial Law in 1970 or earlier and restore power to a civil government. The President said: “It is entirely up to the people of Pakistan what they want to do.”

President Yahya Khan, while referring to his meetings with political leaders, disagreed with a questioner that these meetings were frequent and posed a counter question: “Are they very frequent? I don’t think so.” He said: “You know people, how they talk about first round, second round and third round. There are no rounds,” and added “I just go and meet people wherever they are and just have a chat with them”.

Replying to a question whether the amount set aside in the budget for elections provided an indication that the polls would be held during the current year, the President said: “I have to be ready in case they are held, but I just told you that conditions will dictate whether they are held or not and of those conditions you are well aware.” — Correspondent

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2019