Word: yahya
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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Agha Mohammed Yahya Khan, Pakistan's President pro tempore and army commander, is a rather reluctant strongman. Last March Yahya imposed martial law and took over the presidency in the wake of nationwide rioting prompted by the autocratic rule of Ayub Khan. At the time, Yahya promised a swift return to democracy. Two weeks ago, in a broadcast to his 130 million fellow citizens, he kept his word. Promising -indeed, practically commanding-an orderly march back to civilian rule, he said: "I am not prepared to tolerate any obstruction in the restoration of democracy." Last week Yahya explained...
...this certitude, Yahya is about to undertake the most fundamental political changes in Pakistan since Britain granted it independence 22 years ago. On Jan. 1, such political activities as rallies and speeches will once again be permitted. By June, electoral rolls are to be brought up to date to include 60 million eligible Pakistanis 21 years old or over. On Oct. 5, in Pakistan's first nationwide elections, voters in West and East Pakistan will choose about 300 delegates to a constitutional convention. Yahya has given the delegates 120 days to write a constitution; if they do not succeed...
Sincere Desire. Cannily, Yahya has left himself two important powers to ensure that Pakistan's often obdurate politicians do not make a hash of the process. By limiting the length of the constitutional convention, he hopes to force the delegates to get on with the job or risk new elections. By reserving the right to approve the finished constitution, he intends to prevent the enactment of provisions that could lead to turmoil or shatter Pakistan's unity. Two other provisions he has made appear to demonstrate Yahya's sincere desire to restore civilian rule...
...first time, Pakistan will operate under the one-man, one-vote rule. The chief result will be to give populous but impoverished East Pakistan greater power-this despite the fact that Yahya is a West Pakistani and his province has been predominant in the past. The move, he explained, was "a basic requirement of any democratic form of government...
Outraged, Pakistan's President Yahya Khan retreated to his white guest villa and boycotted the meeting, refusing even to answer the telephone. Only after formal assurance that India would stay away did Yahya finally rejoin the conference. In the process, he forced Hassan to begin his lavish farewell dinner nearly four hours late...