Rawalpindi. Oct. 11—The public denunciation by President Yahya Khan of Pakistan of Shaikh Mujibur Rahman, the East Bengal leader, as a “traitor” whose “crime will not go unpunished”, is being used by the defence in the secret trial of Awami League leaders, government sources said today.

According to the sources, the President's words have “vitiated” the prosecution's case in the trial which began on August 11 The defence, led by Mr Allahbux Khan Brohi, claims the President's remarks have prejudiced proceedings.

Remarks cited by the defence included excerpts from President Yahya Khan's broadcast on March 26 after the Shaikh had been arrested in Dacca.

The President then said: “Shaikh Mujibur Rahman's action of starting his no-cooperation movement is an act of treason. .. .

Sources said the trial was continuing in the Punjabi textile town of Lyallpur.—AP.