By late April 1977, the continued disturbances in Pakistan began to worry certain friendly Arab countries. The foreign ministers of United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Libya — Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Ali Al Tariqi respectively — took the initiative to help the Pakistani government defuse the situation. Saudi Arabian envoy Shaikh Riaz Al Khateeb also expressed a keen interest in resolving the issue politically. With the permission of his government, he called on Z.A. Bhutto, who told Khatib that the situation was fast improving and when everything was settled he would visit Saudi Arabia and offer his regards to King Khalid.

Soon, the Saudi envoy visited Saudi Arabia and on his return first called on Bhutto and then visited Sihala, where he told the jailed PNA leaders that King Khalid was quite worried about the internal situation of Pakistan and was prepared to help resolve it. King Khalid had a progressive mind and aimed at bringing development in the Islamic world and was also deeply interested in Pakistan. The PNA leaders thanked the envoy and the king, but since there was no proper plan on the table the talks could not begin immediately. The UAE and Libyan envoys also communicated to the PNA leadership that if any political agreement is reached at between the two sides, the UAE government would ensure its implementation.

As lawlessness increased throughout the country, with hundreds of people losing their lives, the country’s economy crumbled to its lowest ebb. As both the parties stuck to their guns and were not prepared to sit across the table to discuss the issue, there appeared no solution in sight. The only development which created some hope was Bhutto’s meeting with Pir Pagaro, who at that time was staying at a hotel in Rawalpindi.

To many political observers this was a very positive development, and hinted at a possible resolution of the issues. During the meeting Bhutto told Pir Sahib that if the PNA had any set proposals he was prepared to hold talks and also told him that the detained leaders would be able to hire lawyers of their choice.

This meeting brought a happy change in the political tension that had gripped the country for the last two months. The PNA leaders held talks among themselves and decided to prepare a paper which should serve as a guideline for talks, if any. This supposedly working paper later turned out to be a charter of demands to be presented to Bhutto during the first meeting. On the following day, Mufti Mahmood fell ill and was admitted to the Combined Military Hospital. Meanwhile, the Saudi envoy continued to meet Bhutto and the PNA leaders, and pressed for a political solution.

On May 2, Bhutto met Mufti Mahmood in the hospital and exchanged views on a possible solution. Despite the need for dialogue, Bhutto proposed that talks should be first held between the PNA team and a ministerial team; this was immediately rejected by the Mufti Sahib. The Saudi envoy continued to meet Mufti Mahmood and pressed for holding talks.

The Saudi envoy and the Libyan foreign minister held meetings with Bhutto and Mufti Mahmood but there appeared no breakthrough as both the parties stuck to their position, determined not to budge. As the situation in the country became more chaotic and the ruthless use of force widened the gulf, it was reported that on the night of May 3, a long meeting between Mufti Mahmood and Bhutto was held at the PM House at the insistence of Bhutto. In the secret meeting, Bhutto reportedly tried to convince the Mufti that he was sincere in holding talks and any result reached at would be implemented honestly, for which the friendly Arab countries were prepared to stand as guarantors.

Mufti Mahmood insisted on Bhutto’s resignation and holding of elections under a neutral election commission. After the meeting, the Mufti briefed the PNA leaders who had been busy in finalising the draft of the charter of demands with the help of their legal experts. A number of lawyers took part in drafting the charter. The lawyers’ team included Mahmood Ali Kasuri, S. M. Zafar, Khalid Ishaq, Zahoorul Haq, etc. The charter was spread over 15 pages, with some explanatory notes to guide the negotiating team. With many questions still unanswered, the PNA leaders finally decided to enter into negotiations while the legal team would remain in touch with the negotiators.

As reports of arrests and police action continued from all parts of Sindh and Punjab, the people waited for the news of a consensus between the two parties that would pull out the country from the miserable situation it had plunged into post-election.

Next week: A long charter of demands is prepared to seek Bhutto’s resignation and the formation of Supreme Council to ensure its implementation

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