HYDERABAD: The Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party, Mr Z.A Bhutto ... strongly condemned Indian interference in the domestic affairs of Pakistan and warned India to desist from its nefarious designs of expansionism. … He said that after the outlawing of the Awami League his party has become the majority party of the country and would have to tackle the problems being faced by the people of East Pakistan as well. He said that the East Pakistani brethren have suffered a lot at the hands of miscreants and Indian armed infiltrators in anti-state activities. Mr Bhutto said President Yahya Khan was fully determined to hand over power to the elected representatives of the people and the day was not far off when the People’s Party would serve the people of both the Wings accordingly.

Wali Khan resignation

[Meanwhile, as reported by a staff correspondent in Karachi] Khan Abdul Wali Khan, who resigned recently from the Presidentship of the National Awami Party (Wali Group), said ... that he was proceeding to London to continue the treatment of his eyes. … Talking to newsmen at the Karachi airport on his arrival from Peshawar, he said he only resigned from the office of the party presidentship, but continued to be a member of the party. He said he had no intention of withdrawing the resignation. Asked to comment on the views expressed by some members of his party that his resignation could not be accepted owing to certain anomalies and implications of the party constitution, Khan Wali Khan said that it was their and not his approach to the issue.

Wali Khan claimed that his party was the only party in the country whose office-bearers were elected even from the villages. He said that in view of the ban on political activities, the meeting of his party’s Central Council could not be held. … When asked to comment on the recent statement of President Yahya regarding transfer of power, the NAP chief replied, “Let’s hope for the best.”

Naryaganj AL leader defects

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies in Dac­ca,] Mr Abdul Awal, Vice President of the outlawed Chashara Awami League, has announced his decision to dissociate from the party. In a statement Mr Awal appealed to all “patriotic members of the outlawed Awami League to sever their relations with Awami League and to help and co-operate with the administration for restoring normalcy in the country”.

[Agencies add from Rawalpindi] An official spokesman here today [May 29] reiterated the assurance given by President to accept and rehabilitate all bona fide Pakistanis who crossed over the border… [A]ll genuine Pakistanis who were forced to leave Pakistan under threat or duress or were forcibly driven away from their homes by rebels and miscreants, are welcome to return to their homes.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2021