KARACHI, March 31 (Reuter, AP, UPI)-General Yahya Khan assumed the office of President of Pakistan today, six days after taking over powers from Marshal Ayub Khan, it was officially announced in Rawalpindi. The 52-year-old General said through a proclamation tonight that he ‘has assumed Presidentship’ since the day Mr. Ayub quit the scene. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a press note that Gen Yahya Khan would discharge the functions of the Head of State until elections were held on the basis of adult franchise and a new President was elected under a new constitution. It did not indicate when the constitution would be ready or when elections would be held. The note explained that the takeover as President was necessary to facilitate dealings with foreign governments. Instructions had been issued to the country’s Ambassadors for the conduct of foreign policy, approval of the national Budget and discharge of other functions “within the framework of the country’s law”.
