DACCA: President Ayub Khan declared at a public meeting held in Paltan Maidan which was packed to capacity that his regime was pledged to remove disparity between the two Wings. With that avowed object, he said, he had personally got the provision for it incorporated in the Constitution to make its implementation obligatory on the Government.

He said he was confident the two Wings would achieve equality within the shortest possible time. There was an imperative need, he emphasised, for a strong Centre without which the nation could not be cured of its ills. The downfall of Muslims, he pointed out, was caused by a weak Centre. By a ‘strong Centre’ the President meant an institution which should be able to act as an arbitrator for settling inter-regional differences.

The President said that only in a strong Centre lay the salvation of the Muslim world. If the Centre is strong, problems like Kashmir, the exodus of Muslims and all other issues putting a strain on the country’s resources would be resolved. President Ayub asked the cheering audience to take a lesson from history and be wary of the forces of disruption. People’s vigilance alone against those who want to destroy the country could ensure the future of the nation.

Published in Dawn, October 29th , 2014