1971-09-01
By Malcolm W. Browne
Page: 9
New Governor Will Succeed the Martial-Law Chief
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Wednesday, Sept. 1—The Pakistani Government this morning announced the appointment of civilian governor to take over administration of war‐torn East Pakistan, which has been ruled for the last six months by Lieut. Gen. Tikka Khan.
Appointed to replace him as Governor was Dr. A. M. Malik, a 66‐year‐old former labor leader and diplomat born in East Pakistan. He has also served as a Cabinet minister.
The move was seen here as a major Pakistani concession to attempted persuasion over several months by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, or World Bank, and various countries including the United States.
The martial‐law chief, General Tikka Khan, has been widely criticized abroad for his heavy‐handed suppression of the Bengali separatist movement in East Pakistan, which is separated from West Pakistan by 1,000 miles of Indian territory, and for his stern administration of the province.
The general's continued presence in East Pakistan has been considered a major psychological impediment to the return of millions of East Pakistanis who have fled to India since March 25, when the Pakistani Army began its crackdown on the separatist movement
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The refugee problem is currently regarded by the United States and other countries as the single greatest threat to peace on the Pakistani‐Indian subcontinent, and American foreign policy is directed toward finding a quick solution to the refugee crisis.
Dr. Malik, an ophthalmologist, was appointed last month to head the Government's program of relief and rehabilitation for East Pakistan's displaced persons.
The announcement of his appointment said that this task would continue to be a major part of his job as governor. He has been empowered to appoint a Council of Ministers, which will serve essentially as the cabinet of East Pakistan.
Presumably Dr. Malik's appointment would be considered interim. President Agha Mohammed Yahya Khan has announced that a National Assembly elected last Dec. 7 to draft a constitution and return to civilian rule will be convened this fall after by‐elections for seats of Awami League members disqualified by the Government.
However, chances for holding such a by‐election in East Pakistan, where guerrilla warfare is becoming increasingly serious, seem remote.
The Awami League won nearly all the East's seats in December and thus bad a solid majority. However, General Yahya never convened the Assembly and, in announcing the military crackdown, outlawed the secessionist Awami League.