KARACHI: Mian Mumtaz Mohammed Khan Daultana, President of the Council Muslim League, said in Karachi yesterday [Dec 4] that President Yahya Khan’s recent broadcast had removed all doubts and misgivings about the restoration of democracy in the country.

Talking informally to newsmen at his Clifton residence, Mr Daultana said he had always been sure that the ideological basis of Pakistan and the spirit of the people make it imperative that the country should have a democratic set-up. This fact had become evident during the country-wide movement against former President Ayub Khan’s dictatorship last year.

Mian Daultana, who returned here yesterday from London, where he had gone in October last for a medical checkup, said that all constitutional issues and matters concerning the structure of the Government in Pakistan could only be decided by the recognised and accredited representatives of the people of Pakistan, directly elected on the basis of adult franchise.

Referring to his last meeting with President Yahya, Mr Daultana said he had been convinced that on these matters, the President’s thinking was the same as any other patriotic Pakistani.

In fact, he said, there was no other way of tackling the problems of Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2019