MULTAN: The United Front supporters now talking of resigning their seats in the National and Provincial Assemblies were at liberty to do so and their action would make no difference to national politics or functioning of democracy in the country. This was stated by Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto while addressing a mammoth public meeting at Qasim Bagh here this afternoon [Dec 6]. … Mr Bhutto said they would not have talked of resignation had the country not progressed, had no Constitution been framed and had no politics and democracy advanced in the country. The talk of resignation by supporters of the Front, which, in fact, was the front against the rights of the masses, was an admission of their defeat — the defeat of the enemies of Pakistan.

In case they resigned … he said, by-elections would be held and democratic order … continue to thrive. The present Constitution, which was framed by the people and their representatives in the National Assembly, and even these persons were … a party to this Constitution, was complete and successful. The Assemblies would … function, as they were sacred institutions and membership of one individual or another did not matter.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2024