Z.A. Bhutto had left the country at a time when the leaders were engaged in sorting out the details of the accord without authorising his negotiating team or leaving any instructions. This created an air of mystery. Most of the Pakistan National Alliance (PNA) leaders rightfully thought that it was a move to delay the outcome of the talks. At the same time, a sense of optimism prevailed in political circles; they thought that by the time Bhutto returned the accord would be ready for his signatures.

While he was away Bhutto kept himself abreast of the developments in the country and was reportedly advised by all Muslim leaders that all efforts should be made to save the talks from failure. On June 20, the last day of Ghafoor-Pirzada talks, Bhutto arrived in Kuwait where in a television interview he expressed his desire to make the talks successful and said that an accord on holding fresh polls had been arrived at with the PNA. On the following day he reached Iran where he met the Shah of Iran and talked to newsmen; he reaffirmed his resolute will to restore peace in Pakistan and work with the PNA according to the accord.

On June 21, Bhutto reached Kabul and held talks with Sardar Daud. From there he spoke to Hafeez Pirzada and inquired about the situation. He also held a lengthy telephonic conversation with Mufti Mahmood and assured him of the best outcome of the talks.

Bhutto returned to the country on June 23 and immediately held a meeting with the negotiating teams. The meeting was also attended by Mufti Mahmood and Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan. Professor Ghafoor narrated all details and insisted on a firm reply from Bhutto within 24 hours. They presented a draft accord which included immediate formation of the proposed Supreme Implementation Council or the power-sharing council consisting of equal members from each side. It also wanted surety on the constitutional position of the body, its powers, and the dates for dissolution of the assemblies. When Bhutto saw this draft he appeared shocked as, according to him, it was altogether a new draft. He asked Mufti to allow him a day or so to study and prepare his reply. He handed over the PNA draft to Pirzada. The next meeting was scheduled for June 25.

In the morning of June 25, Bhutto called the Chief of the Army Staff Gen Zia, Corps Commanders, Hafeez Pirzada and Gen Tikka Khan, and placed the new draft before them and sought their opinion. Perhaps he wanted to make sure that the army supported his options. While giving their comments some generals expressed serious concerns.

“You can see for yourself. We’ll have to quash the Hyderabad Tribunal and withdraw the army from Balochistan,” Bhutto told them. To this Gen Zia said: “This cannot happen, sir. Give me a chance so that they listen to me.”

“All right, we’ll send for you. You give them the army’s point of view and explain the difficulties involved which would affect defence and national security,” Bhutto told the army chief.

The scheduled meeting with the PNA was held in the evening to discuss the new PNA draft clause-wise, but no decision was arrived at. At this meeting Bhutto presented a copy of the draft of the accord prepared by the PPP team. It also included all the issues that were raised by the PNA but with a lot of differences. At the meeting Bhutto told Mufti Mahmood that the army had objections on some clauses and that they would send their point of view to the PNA. This created quite a stir.

Later, Ghulam Mustafa Khar, the reinstated adviser of Prime Minister Bhutto, spoke to his party workers at the Rawalpindi Press Club and sent a warning to the PNA saying, “PPP is in a better position to launch a movement against the PNA than vice versa.” This aggravated the already deadlocked situation. The most debated clause was the formation of the Supreme Implementation Council and its powers.

The next day (June 26) the PNA held a meeting of its central committee which discussed the two drafts. In a marathon session it decided that with the assistance of the Alliance’s legal experts a new draft should be presented to the government. Asghar Khan did not agree with this and vehemently opposed discussing the PPP draft and asked the PNA team that it should only discuss and press on its own draft for acceptance. Professor Ghafoor was unkind and said: “The final draft would be presented to the government today, whether they accept it or not. We cannot wait any longer. Our stance will not change with regard to the Implementation Council. Now if the negotiations break down, we are prepared to go to jail once again. The draft we present today will be a final ultimatum to the government. Within two or three days we’ll release all our documents to the press for publication and the central leaders will return to their homes.”

Next week: Agreement on the Council but not Supreme

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