NEW DELHI: Mr. M.A. Jinnah has issued the following statement: “Pirzada Abdus Sattar, one of the Sind Ministers … and informed me that my name is being used and it is being alleged that I have preference for someone to be the leader of the Muslim League Assembly Party in Sind. On the contrary, I have made it quite clear that it is the responsibility of the Party in the Legislature to choose its own leader. I have made that clear already in the case of the Punjab and Bengal recently and I regret that my name should have been or should be exploited by any one. ...The Sind Assembly Muslim League Party is free to elect its leader and the office-bearers of the Party when they think best.”

[Meanwhile, it was also reported from New Delhi that] A large number of States are expected to declare their acceptance of the revised Draft of the Instrument of Accession and the Standstill Agreement with the Indian Union tomorrow [Aug 1], it is reliably understood. …By August 15, it is further learnt, that all Indian States which [intend to] accede to the Indian Union, must indicate their reply, and it is expected that with the possible exception of Hyderabad, Bhopal and Indore all such States will agree.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2022