RAWALPINDI: Mr Z.A. Bhutto ... said here today [June 15] there was likely to be a “slight postponement” in President Yahya Khan’s announcement of his plan for the transfer of power to people’s representatives. Addressing a Press conference here, Mr Bhutto, who met the President yesterday, said that pre-occupations necessitated by preparation of the Budget, Governor’s conference and meeting of the National Economic Council were the causes of the delay.

He said he had conveyed to the President his first hand information of what he called “grave bureaucratic excesses” and “Police Zulm (oppression)” experienced by the people … . Mr Bhutto said there was need of “early and effective” transfer of power both at the National and Provincial level, adding that “when I say this, I am articulating the hopes and aspirations the people”. … Mr Bhutto said on account of emergency “certain arrangements are necessary we are prepared to discuss them”. He said: “We should cross the bridges as they come.”

‘No political settlement’: Indira

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies in Karachi,] The Indian Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi, has said India has no intention of allowing displaced persons from East Pakistan to settle down in her own country or to go back to East Pakistan. Addressing the Upper House of the Indian Parliament yesterday [June 14], she threatened the world community that India was not going to let it get away without sharing the consequences of the events in East Pakistan.

Although a political settlement in East Pakistan is no concern of India, Mrs Gandhi told Parliament that India did not accept a political settlement which might mean the death of ‘Bangla Desh’.

Military action

[Agencies add from Paris,] Indian Foreign Minister Swaran Singh has hinted at the possibility of military measures by India against Pakistan.... The hint was given when Mr Singh recently briefed Soviet, West German and French Government officials, on his country’s stand on the East Pakistan crisis. All the foreign statesmen Swaran Singh met in his European tour pleaded against a military move by India ... the sources said. They said Peking was believed to have sent a warning to India against any military intervention in East Pakistan.

Local Councils dissolved

[Agencies add from Peshawar,] All the Divisional Councils, District Councils, Tehsil Councils and the Municipalities in the NWFP have been dissolved by the Provincial Government, it was officially announced here today [June 15]. The Union Committees and Union Councils have, however been left out.

… According to a report from Quetta, the Government of Baluchistan has decided to dissolve all Local Bodies in the province from June 22. A Press Note issued here today said that this step has been taken in pursuance of the Martial Law Order No. 21 issued May 25 last. …

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2021