RAJSHAHI: President Mohammad Ayub Khan today [March 16] warned the nation that the sixpoint programme of the Opposition was aimed at achieving their dream of a `greater sovereign Bengal`. It was a chain link of the desire harboured by some leaders since the very achievement of Pakistan, he added.

In a hard-hitting speech at the Divisional Conference of Basic Democrats here, the third during his current tour in the province, President Ayub said the fulfilment of this horrid dream would spell disaster for the country and turn the people of East Pakistan into slaves.

On the other hand, he said India, with her big armed forces, would not allow a part of her country to cede in order to form an independent area with East Pakistan.

The President reminded the conference of the pitiable conditions of the Muslims of East Pakistan beforeindependence.They had tolive under the domination of caste Hindus during the British days, when they were not allowed to put on shoes or sit on a chair before them, he said.

President Ayub said the two pre-requisites for Pakistan`s progress and prosperity were political stability and the preservation of a strong centre. A weak centre, he said, would disrupt the unity and solidarity of the country.

Referring to the frequent changes in the Government in pre-Revolution days the President said this had brought the country almost to the verge of economic ruination.

Political wranglings and struggles to achieve one`s own selfish ends did great harm in the past, he said, and added that the present system of Government was the panacea for all those ills.

The President during his 40-minute speech, punctuated with loud cheers, strongly advocated a strong centre for Pakistan.

He said that in the name of more powers for the federating units the leaders opposed to the Government wanted to weaken the Centre.

That would jeopardise the very existence of the country. Agencies