DACCA: The President Gen. A.M. Yahya Khan today [Dec 3] dismissed as “fantastic” rumours that he was not in effective control of the Gover­nment. Replying to questions by foreign newsmen at Dacca airport before his departure for Rawal­pi­ndi today, the President said he shared power with the entire Government machinery. He was asked if he was sharing power with some of his officers.

“Rubbish,” was his answer when a foreign newsman asked the President to comment on rumours that “effective control of the Government had been taken out of his hands and that he was only a figurehead.” … The President asserted that he was in absolute control of the Government. The same newsman told the President they have heard that “important changes have been taken in the top level of the Government”. President Yahya said he was here and “nobody moves me unless I go”.

“I am a soldier. Nobody takes power out of my hands in a hurry,” the President told the foreign newsmen.

[Meanwhile, as reported by our correspondent in Karachi,] Processions and public meetings including corner meetings will be banned all over Pakistan at zero hour on Saturday-Sunday night to ensure orderly polls on the Election Day on Dec 7. The ban will remain in force for 48 hours… .

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2020