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PAKISTAN CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY

MR. JINNAH ELECTED PRESIDENT UNANIMOUSLY

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ASSURANCE TO MINORITY COMMUNITIES

A promise of equal citizenship to all in Pakistan, irrespective of caste, creed or colour, was given by Mr. Mohammed Ali Jinnah, President of the Pakistan Constituent Assembly on Monday. Mr. Jinnah was replying to the congratulations offered to him by his own party leaders and Opposition leaders on his unanimous election to the Presidentship. Mr. Jinnah asked the minorities in particular to bury the hatchet and work in a spirit of co-operation and assured them of equal rights, privileges and obligations. MR. JINNAH'S APPEAL FOR CO-OPERATION
(mOM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)

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e KARACHI, Aug. 11. e "Justice, fairplay, and complete impartiality In the discharge of my duties will l be my guiding principles", declared Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah today, addressing the Pakistan Constituent - Assembly after his unopposed election as t its President. Mr. Jogendranath Mandal, n who as the temporary Chairman of the e House, announced Mr. Jinnah's election, vacated his seat and, amidst great acclamation from all sections of the Assembly, Mr. Jiftnah took the chair. Speakers from all sides then felicitated the President on his e Liaqat Ali Khan, speaking election. Mr. first, hoped that under Mr. Jinnah's dual role as Governor-General and President Of the Constituent Assembly, Pakistan, the e fifth largest nation in the world, would - become powerful and participate in g world councils. Mr. Kiran Shanker Roy, Leader of the Congress Party, offering responsive co-operation from the mino- rities, declared that partition having r come to stay, they would wholeheartedly e throw in their lot in the affairs of the s State and share the vicissitudes of the nation. Mr. J, N. Mandal, who said he

"You have been a great leader of India. The time has now come for you to take up the leadership of the State which includes not only Muslims but Hindus an4 other communities. When history writes Its final Judgment, it will say that you were not only a great leader of a great community, but you were a great leader of the State of Pakistan," concluded Mr. Roy. Mr. M. A. Khuhro, prospective Premier of Sind, congratulating Mr. Jinnah, said that he was the greatest leader the Muslim world had ever produced. It was due to his untiring zeal and sincere efforts that the Muslims had achieved the dream of their life. Mr. Khuhro recalled the Lahore resolution passed by the Muslim League in 1940 which many at that time considered as a dream that could not be realised. Within six or seven years, without a bloody war and without any serious sacrifice, the Muslims, however, had been able to get Pakistan which was due to the sagacity and unparallelled statesmanship of Mr. Jinnah. Mr. Khuhro was sure that under Mr. Jinnah'i guidance the Constituent Assembly would frame a Constitution which many would envy. MR. 3. N. MANDAL'S ASSDEANCI

was speaking on behalf of the Scheduled Castes in Pakistan, assured the unstinted loyalty of his community and added they would demand more and ' more tights and privileges until they were on a par with other communities in regard to all platters. Mr. Jinhah's address to the Assembly was listened to in pin-drop silence by the House. Though he stated that he was .not prepared to make any authoritative statement at the present moment, his forty-minutes' speech disclosed two immediate objectives: firstly maintenance of law atfd order with a strong hand without fear or favour and secondly a ruthless war on bribery, corruption, nepotism and black-marketing.

After his election as President of the Pakistan Constituent Assembly, Mr. Jlhnah addressed the House for forty Minutes. His speech was listened to With rapt attention by members of tha House wfth occasional cheers and applause. The seeeeh, however, was completely tnaudible In the Press gallery as the loudspeaker equipment failed. Mr. Jinnah thanked the House with the utmost Sincerity for the greatest honour conferred on him By electing him as tne first President of a Sovereign Assembly, and also thanked those leaders who had spoken in appreciation of his services arid for their personal reference to him. "1 hope", said Mr. Jinnah, "that With *ouf support and co-operation, we SBttll make this Constituent Assembly an example to the world. The Constituent Assembly has got two main furtGtiOn* to perform. The first is the very onerous and cesponsible task of framing Our future constitution of Pakistan and the second is to function as a full and complete sovereign body as the Federal Legislature of Pakistan. We have to do the best we can in adopting a provisional constitution for the federal Legislature of Pakistan,, Net only we but the whole World wonder at this unprecedented cyelonic revolution wnieh .has brought about the plans of creating and establishing two independent sovereign Dominions in this sub-continent. This mighty sub-continent with all kinds of inhabitants has been brought under a nlan which is titanic and unparalleled. And what is important is that we have achieved It peacefully." , Mr, jinnah continued: "In dealing with our Srst funotion of this Assembly, 1 cannot make any well considered pronouncement at this moment but I nan say one or two things. I would like to emphasise that you are now sovereign legislative body. It therefore, places on you the greatest responsibility as tb how you should take your decisions The first duty of a Government is to maintain law and order so that life and Punctuated by frequent cheers, Mr. property and religious belief are fully ' protected by the State at all eost (Loud Kiran Shanker Roy, Leader of thd Conftess Party, congratulated Mr. Jinneh cheers). in a short speech on being elected to the Presidentship. Offering him the most CORRUPTION MUST BE PUT DOWN sincere congratulations on behalf of the "One of the biggest curses from which Congress Party, Mr. Roy said: "You India is suflering is bribed and corruphave had triumphs in many spheres of tion which means we must put that life, ana when we compare all youf down with an iron hand, and I hope achievements with the honour that the that you will take adequate measures Assembly has done to you, it may seem as soon as possible for this Assembly to be not very important, but I colt" to handle it. That really is a poison." gratulate you on agreeing to accept the Severely condemning blaekmarketing Presidentship of this House. It was a ana nepotism, Mr. Jinnah said: "You wise decision. You have ben the drea- have to tackle this monster-^a crime mer of Pakistan, and now that your against society in our distressed condidream has been realised you should be tion, in our shortage of food and the the architect of its Constitution." essential commodities Of life. Black-marSpeaking about the minorities, Mr. keteers ought to be very severely punishRoy said that if Pakistan meant a se- ed because they undermine the entire cular democratic Btatt, a State Which system of control and regulation of foodwould make no difference between Citi- stuffs and essential commodities. The zen and citizen irrespective of caste, next thing that Strikes Me is nepotism creed or community, he would assure and bribery, a legacy Which has now him that he (Mr, Jinnah) would have been transferred to us, and 1 want to their utmost co-operation. make It quite clear that I shall never Referring to the policy which Con- tolerate any kind of bribery, nepotism gressmen in the Assembly would fol- or any influence I find directly or inlow, Mr. Roy said: "Frankly, Sir, we directly brought to bear upon me." are not very happy. We are unhappy because of the division of India. We PARTITION OP INDIA are unhappy because of the partition of Maintaining that division of India the Punjab and Bengal. But once this only solution of India's constiarrangement has been agreed upon by was the problem. Mr. Jinnah traced the the two great parties, we accept it tutional of the plan and declared the genesis loyally, and shall work it out loyally. bfOad policy of the Pakistan State to(Cheers), w e accept the citizenship of wards Its people. Pakistan With all Its implications." "I know," he said, "there are people (Cheers i. who do not quite agree with the diviMINORITY RIGHTS MUST BE sion of India and the partition of the RESPECTED Punjab and Bengal. But now that it has Dr. Roy continued: "We would like to been accepted, it is the duty of every face all difficulties and risks which are one Of us loyally to abide by it and act concomitant with the birth of a nation, honourably according to the agreement as we hope to share the prosperity and Which is now final and binding on all. happiness which we will jointly create 1 can quite understand the feeling that exists two in the $tate, and in return we expect But thebetween the whethercommunities. it was posthe righfe-fcnd privileges of the mino- sible or question is practicable to do otherwise rities guaranteed in the Constitution, then what is being done. A division had not only guaranteed but actually- res- to take place. pected in the day-to-day working of "On both sides, in Hindustan and Pathe Government. I assure you thai there will be no want of trust and co- kistan, there may be sections of people XCentinaed en next pa<e) operation on our side."

Assembly this morning (adds the Associated Press of India). Mr. Jinnah was led amid cheers to the presidential chair by Mr. Liaqat Ali Khan and Safdar Abdur Rab Nishtar. Congratulatory speeches were then made by Muslim "League and Congress members. Mr. Liaqat Ali Khan was the first to congratulate Mr. Jinnah. He taid it Was With the greatest pride that h4 rose to congratulate him on his election as the President of the CohstitUefit Assembly of Pakistan. Mf. Liaqat Ali Khan continued: "You have been fightly described as the" architect of Pakistan and it is a great fortune for us to haVi you as the President of this tovefeigh body, and 1 feel sure that you will guide us to our destiny through your devotion, untiring zeal, selfless sefVlCie and unshakable determination. At one constantly associated with you for o v eleven years, can say with truthfulness bnd honesty that the creation Of this State Of Pakistan it mainly, if not entirely, due to youf service." (Cheers'). "It is indeed fin ufiparalleiled event in the history of the world that without bloodshed, Without going through i bloody revolution, a State Which is the fifth largest in the World should eom* into being. It il most fortunate that We will continue to have your guidance and assistance in building up this structure of the future state of Pakistan." "By y6ur election as President of this sovereign body you will be having the dual capacity of tiot only being the head o the Assembly but also thd head of the State. 1 am Confident that you will, while discharging your onerous duties, be guided by the indexible honesty which you possess. 1 have fievef found you WaVBrnng even at tht most difficult time, sfiB I am sure it augur well for the future state of a Pakistan that We will have as our leader the architect of this wonderful State which is the fifth largest in the World." CONG&KS9 LKADtft'S TRIBttTti

Mr. Jogendra Nath Mandal congratulated Mr. Jinnah on his election to the office on behalf of the "great section of the minority communitiesthe downtrodden, economically, socially and politically". Admitting that he was not strong enough to carry out in full the mission of lifting them economically and socially, Mr. Mandal said that the President might perhaps always find Mr. Mandal alone to raise his voice on behalf of the several million down-trodden people belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Although he was not sufficiently airong and capable of truly representing their case In a manner which might attract the full consideration ot the House, he Hoped that With the generosity of the President, his voice, however feebk, would not fail to evoke sympathy In him FELICITATIONS TO and the House. Mr. Mandal assured the President O f MR JINNAH unstinted faithfulness and sincere loyalty to the State and to him as the KARACHI, Aug. i l . Mr. Jinnah was unanimously elected head of eight million people of his comPresident of the Pakistan Constituent munity.

TASK AHEAD OF PAKISTAN

PAKISTAN ASSEMBLY

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(Continued from previous page.) who do not agree with it, who do not like it, but in my judgment there was no other solution. I think when history records its verdict it will be proved by facts that it was the only solution of India's- constitutional problem. Any other idea of a united India would never have worked, and in my judgment it would have led us to terrific disaster. But in this division it became impossible to avoid the question of minorities being in one Dominion or the other." EQUAL RIGHTS OF CITIZENSHIP Promising equal rights of citizenship to all. Mr. Jinnah amidst cheers said: "If we want to make this great State of Pakistan happy and prosperous, then we should wholly and solely concentrate on the well-being of the people and especially of the masses and the poor." Addressing the minorities in particular, Mr. Jinnah said: "If you work in a spirit of co-operation, forgetting the past and burying the hatchet, I will say that every one of you, no matter to what community you belong, no matter what colour, caste or creed, is first, second and last a citizen of this State with equal rights, privileges and obligations." Proceeding, Mr. Jinnah said that they should begin to work in that spirit and in course of time all the angularities of majority and minority communities, provincialism and caste prejudices would vanish. These were the biggest hindrances in the way of India's attaining freedom and but for these we would have been free people long ago. Nobody could hold another nation of four hundred millions in subjugation or continue to hold for any length of time but for these. "You are free to go to your temples ajd to your places of worship, in this State of Pakistan" Mr. Jinnah said. "While you may belong to one religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State."(Cheers). Mr. Jinnah recalled the conditions of bitterness that existed between Roman Catholics and Pr#estants in England some time ago ana said that even now there were some States in existence where there were discriminations. "NO DISCRIMINATION" "We are starting the State with no discrimination, no distinction between one community and another, between caste or creed. We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one State. (Loud applause.) We should keep that in front of us as our ideal and you will find that in course of time Hindus will cease to be Hindus and Muslims will cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense, because that is the personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as the citizens of the nation." Mr. Jinnah assured the House that he would always be guided by principles of justice and fairplay without any prejudice or illwill and he was sure that with their support and co-operation he could look forward to Pakistan to be one of the greatest nations of the world. (Loud applause). GOOD WISHES FROM. U. S. The President then read out messages of congratulations received by the House from Mr. George Marshall. United States Secretary of State and from the Australian Government wishing successful conclusion of the great work of framing the constitution of Pakistan based on principles of democracy and peace and political, social and economic progress of the people of the country.

the minorities. He was glad to know from Mr. Liaqat Ali Khan that it was not a religious Flag but it was the Flag of the State inhabited by Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs as equal citizens of Ihe State. This had gone a great way in creating the necessary confidence. MINORITIES MUST BE CONSULTED Mr. Sachar said it would have been better if the leaders of the minority communities had been consulted when the Flag was designed and even now it was not too late. The minorities wanted an opportunity to deliberate with the President in a matter of this national importance. His object was not at all to create difficulties. Pakistan was the result of mutual understanding, accommodation and efforts to work out the destinies of the country in a manner which would appeal to the two great political parties in the country. The minorities wanted no special favour; they wanted justice and equal opportunity to work shoulder to shoulder with others. ? Mr. Dhirendra Nath Dutta, supporting the amendment said that the Flag was to a great extent identical with the Party flag of the Muslim League. The Congress Party flag did not represent the. communities of India and it was claimed that the colours represented the virtues of the nation. That analogy could therefore not be applicable here. "NOT A RELIGIOUS FLAG" Replying to the debate, Mr. Liaqat Ali Khan reiterated that it was not the same flag as the Muslim League flag. It was not a religious flag. Secondly. Pakistan State must have its own flag on August 15. the date of its birth. They had tried to give a prominent place to the white colour, and about one-fourth of the flag was white, a colour that was made up of seven different colours. He added: "Thank God we have not got seven different classes in Pakistan. 1 hope I will not create a minority. It is only a minority that can create a minority. As I am in the majority community in Pakistan, it will not be my desire to create a minority. Even the Muslim members of .the Constituent Assembly knew nothing about the flag which was designed in Delhi by a few of us." It was for the first time that his Muslim colleagues in the House had seen it. It was, therefore, not a question of not associating the minorities. It would be his endeavour and desire to associate the representatives of the minorities in the House at every stage in the Assembly's deliberations. "We want to work in co-operation and not in opposition. In view of the special circumstances and shortness of time at our disposal, and in view of the fact that the National Flag of Pakistan is to fly in every nook and corner of the country. I. hope the members will not press the amendment."

AMENDMENT NEGATIVED
Mr. Jinnah put the amendment to vote before the House which negatived it and the House adopted the National Flag as described in the resolution. Mr. Kiran Shankar Boy sought the permission of the Chair to make some observations, but Mr. "Jinnah expressed his inability to allow it as it was not permissible under the rules,, though, Mr. Jinnah said, the House would like to hear him. Mr. Kiran^ Shanker Roy said: "After the verdict of the House, we accept the flag as the National Flag of Pakistan.'' (Loud cheers). Mr. Liaqat Ali Khan then proposed that the two flags which he presented to the Assembly might be kept 'in the National Museum.^ but in the meantime should remain in the safe custody of the President of the Pakistan Constituent Assembly. Before adjourning for the day, the House adopted a resolution moved by Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar, appointing a committee consisting of a Chairman to be nominated by the President and seven other members to be elected by the Assembly to report as soon as possible on (a), the rules of procedure of the Assembly, (b) the powers of the President and (c) procedure for declaration and filling of vacancies in the Assembly.A.PJ.

NATIONAL FLAG OF PAKISTAN

Mr. Liaqat Ali Khan, at the conclusion of the Presidential speech, moved a resolution for adoption of the National Flag of Pakistan. This is the official description of the flag: "A dark green rectangular flag in the proportion of length to width 3:2, with a white vertical bar at the mast, the green portion bearing a white crescent in the centre and a five-pointed white heraldic star. The size of the white portion will be one-fourth the size of the flag, nearest the mast, the remaining three-fourths being dark green." Unfurling two flags which he presented to the President to adorn the Presidential table, Mr. Liaqat Ali Khan explained the ideals for which the Flag stood. He said: "This Flag is not the flag of any one political party or community. It is the Flag of the Pakistan nation and the State which is to come into existence on August 15. It is not really the cloth that matters, but its importance lies in what it stands for. I can say without any fear of contradiction that this Flag will stand for freedom, liberty and equality of all those whp owe allegiance to the Flag of Pakistan. "This Flag will protect the legitimate rights of every citizen and will defend the integrity of the State. This Flag, I have no doubt in my mind, will gain the respect of all nations of the world because once Pakistan State is established, when we get the opoortunity of working out the destinies of 70 million people, we shall show to the world at large that, although we are a new State we will be a State worthy of the 70 million people of Pakistan. We will live in peace and we will be a State that will help in maintaining peace throughout the world. "EMBLEM OF PEACE" "We know what are the consequences of exploitation. We have been exploited for the last 200 years and we would be the last people to use the Flag for the purpose of exploiting other nations. This Flag will be the Flag of freedom not only for the people of Pakistan, but will also be the emblem of peace and help in maintaining peace throughout the world. "As I visualise, the State of Pakistan will be a State where there will be no special privileges, no special rights for any one particular community or Individual It will be a State where every citizen will have eaual rights, equal opportunity and equal privileges and they will share equally all the obligations that lie on the citizens of Pakistan." AMENDMENT MOVED BY MR. SACHAR Lala Bhimsen Sachar sought the permission of the President to speak in Hindustani, but the Chair ruled that English was the language of the House and only when members could not express themselves adequately they could speak in the language they chose. Mr. Sachar who moved an amendment for the appointment of a committee to report on the design of the Pakistan National Flag by noon to-morrow, offered his congratulations to Mr. Liaqat Ali Khan for the definition of the ideal for which the Flag stood. Explaining the reasons why he moved the amendment despite Mr. Liaqat Ali Khan's utterances, he said these utterances threw a tremendous responsibility on the head of the State in the day-today administration. He was sure that under Mr. Jinnah's guidance and inspiration the Government would translate into action these utterances and the principles that had been enunciated, the ieason why he asked for a* committee was that the minorities wanted to feel that they were associated with the affairsof the State at every step, and the determination of the National Flag of the State was not a small matter but was of the greatest importance. The Flag symbolised the urges and aspirations and the spirit of the people. The people would embrace even death to defend it. The purpose of the amend-. ent was to make it more acceptable to

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HIGH COMMISSIONERS FROM BURMA TO INDIA

RANGOON. Aug. 7. The Government of Burma is at present awaiting concurrence from Delhi and Karachi in regard to the appointment of former Cabinet Ministers, U Win and U Pe Khin as Burmese High Commissioners to the Dominions of India and Pakistan respectively, it was officially learnt here to-day. The High Commissioners, it was stated, were ready to leave as soon as concurrence was received in order to be present at their posts when-transfer of power to India takes place on August 15.Reuter.

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"DESHABIMANI" TO RESUME

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CALICUT, Aug. 11. As required by the Madras Government. DeshabiTnani, Communist morning daily of Calicut, furnished the cash security demanded of it, to-day before Mr. E. W. Bouchier, I.C.S District Magistrate and also filed a fresh declaration. The paper will be coming out from to-morrow morning. It may be remembered that two sureties of Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 4,000 were forfeited recently to the Madras Government, resulting in the non-publication of the paper. But due to intercession of the All-India Editors Conference and the Madras Press Advisory Committee, the Madras Government permitted the resumption of the paper.F.O.C.

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MYSORE STATE CONGRESS

BANGALORE, Aug. 11. The Working Committee of the Mysore State Congress is meeting on August 20 when the details relating to the launching of Satyagraha, the form it should take, when exactly it should begin etc., will, I understand, be settled. At a public meeting that same evening, a declaration is expected to be made by the Congress President. Mr. K. C. Reddy, President of the Mysore State Congress and Member, Constituent Assembly, will be leaving for Delhi by air on August 14 and after participating in the midnight session of the Assembly and the Independence Day celebrations will return to Bangalore on August 17,F.O.C

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MADRAS I.C.S. OFFICERS FOR PAKISTAN GOVT.

MADRAS, Aug. 11. It is notified that the following I.C.S. officers on the Madras Cadre serving in the Madras Province, will be released for appointment under the Pakistan Government, on August 14. The hon, Mr. M. Shahabuddin, Judge High Court, Madras, (on leave), Messrs. M. Karamatullah (on leave). S. M. Hasan (Chief Presidency Magistrate, Madras), S. A. M. Khan (District and Sessions judge, Ramnad), A. Majeed (Under-Secretary to Government. Home Department), K. S. Islam (SubCollector, Narasapatam, Vizagapatam District), I. H. Usmani (Sub-Collector.' Madanapalle) and Riazuddin Ahmed (Sub-Collector, Hospet). '