KARACHI: The Provincial Language Application Bill was passed unanimously yesterday morning [Nov 17] by the Sind Assembly amidst scenes of amity and goodwill to put to an end to the language controversy that had taken a heavy toll of life and property in the province last July.
Winding up the general discussion on the Bill, the Leader of the House and Chief Minister, Mr Mumtaz Ali Bhutto, said in a short and touching speech that notwithstanding the beating he took in the wake of this controversy, he felt proud to have been associated in reaching an amicable and mutually acceptable solution to the problem which had been neglected for such a long time by the previous regimes. … By solving a problem once and for all, he said, the path had been cleared for the people of Sindh to dedicate themselves to work for the prosperity and well-being of everybody. … Together, he said, Urdu and Sindhi, will reflect the rich Muslim heritage and serve to bring a better state of affairs and usher in an era of glory and honour. — Staff reporter
[Meanwhile, as reported by the newspaper’s staff correspondent in Saidu Sharif,] President Z.A. Bhutto here today [Nov 17] announced sweeping changes in the political, judicial and administrative set-ups of the former states of Swat, Dir and Chitral, and abolished the Frontier Crimes Regulations, Jirga system and ‘Riwaj’ at one stroke.
Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2022
