LAHORE: The Central Executive of the Democratic Action Committee today [Feb 16] unanimously accepted President Ayub’s invitation to discuss political and constitutional issues and suggested that the conference should be held on Feb 19.

Announcing the decision at a Press conference soon after the meeting, Mr Mahmud Ali, MNA, said the Government had not only substantially fulfilled their preconditions but had also agreed to their demand to make Mr Mujibur Rahman available for the conference. The DAC had also suggested that leaders of National Awami Party (Bhashani Group) and the People’s Party, and also independent personalities like Air Marshal Asghar Khan, Lt-Gen Azam Khan and Mr Justice Mahboob Murshed, should be invited to the conference by the President.

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies in Dacca,] The Army was called out in aid of the civil administration to quell violent disturbances in the city today [Feb 16] in which 36 persons were injured in police and EPR action. A 12-hour curfew imposed the city at 7 this evening was later extended by another 24 hours ending at 7 on Tuesday morning, it was officially announced late tonight. There will, however, be a two-hour break from 7 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2019