RAWALPINDI: Mr. Z.A. Bhutto ... offered “whole-hearted” support to the idea of “a genuine federation” in Pakistan with all provinces having “equal powers”. … Addressing a largely attended Press conference here this afternoon [Jan 13], Mr Bhutto said his meeting with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman would be independent of his talks with the President. However, he added, though he did not plead for a tripartite conference he believed that if there was an agreement between the President, representing the Armed Forces, the Awami League which was the majority party and the People’s Party, the National Assembly would not take 120 days to frame the constitution. … However, he said, without underestimating the power and the will of the majority party he would support the idea of a constitution based on the consensus of all the federating units. — Correspondent

[Meanwhile, as reported by our correspondent in Sialkot,] Indian police today [Jan 13] occupied the headquarters and other offices of the Kashmir Plebiscite Front which was banned by the Indian Government last night. The Party Secretary, Mr Sadruddin ... was arrested, ccording to reliable sources. Three more persons were killed and several others were injured in firing by Indian police….

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2021