SIMLA: While the Indian Premier, Mrs Indira Gandhi, today [July 1] declined to say anything categorical about the likely outcome of the summit conference, she maintained that she was “not too pessimistic”. Mrs Gandhi was answering Pakistani newsmen’s questions on the lawns of her official residence, “The Retreat”. The Premier said nothing very definite had so far emerged from the Simla talks, but she was hopeful that “something can be done.”

She agreed with a correspondent’s suggestion that, at this time, when an elected Government headed by President Bhutto was in power in Pakistan, the two countries can arrive at a meaningful settlement. She said President Bhutto was certainly better placed to negotiate peace in the Sub-Continent than previous leaders. — Special correspondent

[Meanwhile, as reported by a staff correspondent from Quetta,] Industrial policy for the province of Baluchistan will be announced in two weeks’ time. This was stated by the Provincial Finance Minister Mir Ahmad Nawaz Khan Bugti… . He said greater emphasis in policy would be laid on raising production level and setting up of new industries at places where raw material and transport facilities [were] abundantly available. … The Baluchistan Finance Minister told a questioner that industrial policy … would also cover welfare… .

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2022