ISLAMABAD: The following Press Note was iss­ued by the Ministry of Home and Kashmir Affa­irs (Home Affairs Division) here today [Jan 18]:

“The 28 persons accused in the Agartala Conspiracy case, whose names have already been announced, were so far detained under the Defence of Pakistan Rules. They have been arrested on Jan 18, 1968, under the Army, Navy and Air Force Acts for substantive offences committed by them under these Acts. Their detention orders under the Defence of Pakistan Rules have, therefore, been withdrawn by the Provincial Government of East Pakistan. Investigation in the case is continuing.

“Evidence having come to hand about the involvement of Shaikh Mujibur Rehman in the planning and guidance of the conspiracy, he is also among the arrested persons. He was already in jail under the Defence of Pakistan Rules.” — Agency

[Meanwhile, as reported by our correspondent in Islamabad,] The Hungarian trade mission has completed negotiations on the new trade deal with Pakistan authorities and a formal agreement was now under study by the two sides.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2018