LAHORE: The Finance Minister Dr. Mubashir Hassan today [Jan 16] announced the takeover of 11 more industrial units involving a capital investment of Rs.25 crores and abolition of the system of managing agencies.

… All these units fall in the category of basic industries announced earlier. … — Staff correspondent

[Meanwhile, as reported by the newspaper’s staff correspondent from Karachi] Air Marshal (Retd.) M. Asghar Khan yesterday [Jan 16] stated that he would extend his “ungrudging support” to President Z. A. Bhutto provided he did away totally with the Martial Law, restored the people’s democracy in its true sense, and did good work for the real benefit of the common man.

At the same time, he reaffirmed that he would continue to build up public opinion for the “removal” of Mr Bhutto’s Government through constitutional and democratic means.

Addressing a public meeting at Nishtar Park here in the face of continuous disturbances by a section of the sizable crowd, he declared that rule by “danda” Fascism or “goonda gardi” (hooliganism) would never be countenanced.

… Speaking from the open dais, he declared he was not afraid to lose his life. Referring to a plot to assassinate him, he came forward and challenged the plotters to kill him, if they dared.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2022

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