Rawalpindi, Sept 1—The appointment of a civil Governor for East Pakistan was “yet another significant step forward towards President Yahya Khan's pledge to transfer power to the elected representatives of the people”, an official spokesman said today.

He was referring to the appointment of Dr Abdul Motaleb Malik to replace General Tikka Khan, who has been administering martial law in East Pakistan since, last March.

Dr Malik, an eye surgeon, aged 66, will take up his appointment on Friday. He is to name his council of ministers and present the list to President Yahya for approval as soon as possible.

Although born in Kushtia, in what is today East Pakistan. Dr Malik spent his early years in Calcutta where he was educated and Bengalis today scarcely recognize him as one of themselves. He was assistant professor of ophthalmology in Campbell Medical School, Calcutta, before becoming a union leader and heading the Indian Sailors’ Union. He also founded the All India Seafarers’ Federation.

Dr Malik has travelled widely and served as Minister for Minority Affairs under Pakistan’s first Prime Minister, Mr Liaquat Ali Khan. He was President Yahya's Minister for Health, Labour, Works and Social Welfare for 18 months until the Cabinet was dissolved last February.

General Tikka was named Governor early in March but nobody would swear him in in view of the Awami League's de facto control of the province. He was then switched to the post of martial law administrator, which required no such ceremony, before taking over as Governor later in the month.

Karachi, Sept 1.—The trial of Shaikh Mujib has been postponed for at least three months while President Yahya seeks a political settlement to the East Pakistan crisis, usually well informed sources said here today .

The appointment of Dr Malik as civil Governor is seen here as only one of a number of measures designed to satisfy public opinion before the trial takes place.— Agence France Presse.