DACCA: The Awami League chief, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today [March 18] rejected the commission of enquiry set up by the Martial Law Administrator Zone B “to go into circumstances which led to the calling of the Army in aid of civil power in various parts of East Pakistan between March 2 and March 9”.

In a statement issued here today the Awami League chief declared the people of Bangla Desh shall not cooperate with such a commission in any respect. He also said no one should nominate any member to this ‘commission’ nor serve as its members. According to the Martial Law Administrator’s order the commission will be headed by the Judge of the High Court of East Pakistan who is to be nominated by the Chief Justice. The Sheikh regretted ... the ‘commission of enquiry’ on the face of it, could not satisfy the demand voiced by him on behalf of the people of Bangla Desh. Its very constitution by a Martial Law Order and the provision for submission of its report to the Martial Law authority were “highly objectionable”. — Correspondent

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies in Karachi,] Maulana Mufti Mahmood ... has said that a national Government should be formed in which representation should be given to all the five Provinces of the country. …[He] said this will help the Assembly to carry on its work of framing the constitution. The Maulana said President Yahya Khan should invite the Awami League Chief Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is the leader of the majority party, to form the national Government.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2021