RAWALPINDI: President Bhutto said here tonight [April 23] that through his proposed talks with Mrs Indira Gandhi, his aim was to evolve a modus vivendi for peace in the subcontinent. Replying to newsmen’s questions at a dinner he said the forthcoming talks between the emissaries of the two sides would not go beyond preparing an agenda for the summit meeting. … He said he was also keen to hold talks with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman — whether separately or jointly with India. He would not break talks with India if the latter pressed for a joint meeting.

The President described as a myth the talk in India that the Pakistani POWs surrendered to the joint command of India and Bangla Desh and said the threatened trial of these POWs would be against international morality and verdict of the world.

He said Pakistan did not want another conflict and wished to make a sensible approach to … peace. However, he added, Pakistan, though at present in a reduced position, would not yield on principles. He said in view of long-term relations with India, the Kashmir problem was very important. But for the time being the question of POWs was more important. …

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2022