From The Past Pages Of Dawn: 1971: Fifty Years Ago: Airspace violated

Published
0

RAWALPINDI: Two Indian fighter aircrafts today [May 2] violated Pakistan airspace by flying over Lalmunirhat in Rangpore district, it was officially stated here. The Indian aircraft flew over Pakistan territory at 10:30 a.m. and again at 12 noon. The Pakistan Government was immediately lodging a strong protest with the Indian Government ... a Foreign Office spokesman later said.

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies in Kasur,] Mr Zulfikar Ali Bhutto ... said that he would never let the national solidarity and people’s interests to suffer because of any internal or international conspiracy.

He was addressing a meeting of the People’s Party workers from 600 offices in Lahore district here [Kasur]. … Mr Bhutto also announced suspension from party’s membership of Mr Ahmed Raza Khan Kasuri, MNA-elect, on charges of flouting the party’s discipline. He said that a final decision in this connection would be taken by the Central Committee....

[Agencies further add,] Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan, President of the Pakistan Muslim League (Qayyum Group), said in Karachi ... this was the “proper time” for President Yahya Khan to give a constitution providing for a strong Centre for the country.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

State of denial
Updated 18 Oct, 2026

State of denial

If the Taliban regime commits to preventing groups based on its soil from attacking neighbouring states, the process of normalisation and regional integration of Afghanistan can begin.
Suffering in silence
18 Oct, 2026

Suffering in silence

TOO many Pakistani children have nowhere to turn when abused online. An estimated 1.5m internet-using children aged...
Export imperative
18 Oct, 2026

Export imperative

THE government’s efforts to boost Pakistan’s external sector through diversified financing, higher foreign...
No talks
Updated 17 Oct, 2026

No talks

The government should understand that the PTI’s protest march and its reaction to it will look like nothing more than a storm in a teacup.
Strengthening LGs
17 Oct, 2026

Strengthening LGs

THE ECP has done well to refuse to allow the Punjab administration to push the local government elections to April....
Lesser citizens
Updated 17 Oct, 2026

Lesser citizens

Interfaith harmony will prevail when the message to end bias is conveyed from the pulpit, alongside efforts to punish zealotry.