LAHORE: Prolonged negotiations in private and extended debate in public over the question of the merger of the different factions of the Pakistan Muslim League came to an end at midnight when Mr Fazlul Quader Choudhury, chief of the Convention group, and Mian Mumtaz Mohammad Khan Daultana, heading the Council group, announced the decision to merge their respective parties.

The third faction, headed by Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan, however, still remains undecided. Khan Qayyum left Lahore this afternoon [July 14] after a 24-hour stay in the city, but he did not meet Mr Fazlul Quader Choudhury. He also did not make any commitment in this regard beyond expressing hope that the three factions would unite very soon.

The decision taken by Mr Fazlul Quader and Mr Daultana today will be placed for approval before the Council of the two parties which will meet in the near future simultaneously in Dacca, most probably within one month. After the merger decision is approved by the Councils separately, they will meet jointly to elect the chief and the executive of the unified party. — Staff correspondent

DPs’ rehabilitation

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies in Rawalpindi,] President General A.M. Yahya Khan has appointed Dr A.M. Malik as his Special Assistant for Displaced Persons and Relief and Rehabilitation Operations in East Pakistan. ... In his capacity as Special Adviser Dr Malik will have the rank of a Cabinet Minister and headquarters will be at Dacca. … In his capacity as President’s Special Assistant, Dr Malik will be in a position to give decisions on the spot on behalf of the President … .

UNHCR man appointed

[Agencies add from Islamabad,] The Government of Pakistan have agreed to the appointment of Mr John Kelly, as resident representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, at Dacca. Mr Kelly was formerly UNHCR representative in London. He will serve as the focal point for the United Nations assistance for returning residents on humanitarian grounds. Mr Kelly will also visit the 21 reception centres set up by the Government of Pakistan for the returning residents as and when necessary, and facilities will be provided to him in this regard.

China’s entry to UN

[Agencies at the United Nations add,] Eighteen States last night [July 13] approved a formal resolution for the next General Assembly to admit the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations and expel Taiwan. Their draft, approved at private meeting, also stated for the first time, the clear provision that Peking should take a permanent seat — with veto rights — in the Security Council.

The copies for July 1946 and the first 10 days of August 1946 are missing from our archives. The ‘Seventy-five years ago’ section will resume from Aug 11.

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2021