PESHAWAR: Chances of a PPP and NAP-JUI coalition at the Centre and provincial levels have brightened as a result of the meeting between the leaders of NAP and JUI with President Bhutto last night, Maulana Mufti Mahmud indicated here today [Aug 20]. He told reporters if the spirit of understanding and co-operation, the broad principles of which were agreed upon yesterday, was kept up, NAP and JUI could join the Central Government and associate PPP at the provincial level, after approval by the party high commands. All the points of differences were thrashed out at the meeting with the President, Mufti Mahmood said. — Staff correspondent

[Meanwhile, as reported by the staff correspondent in Lahore,] Sardar Shaukat Hayat Khan today [Aug 20] confirmed that he had resigned from the Presidentship of the Council Muslim League. Talking to this correspondent … he said the factual position was that he had informed the Councillors that he could not continue as Party chief under the existing circumstances.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2022