DERA ISMAIL KHAN: President Bhutto declared here today [Nov 23] the debate in UN General Assembly on Bangladesh entry would be useless as China would again use its veto when the matter came up for approval of the Security Council. Addressing a mammoth public meeting … the President stressed that if the Security Council resolution were implemented, “only then something could be done”. He said the Security Council resolution, No. 307 provides for troops withdrawal from Pakistan territories and the return of Pakistani POWs.

President Bhutto said even if the General Assembly passed the resolution to be moved by Yugoslavia on Monday next [Nov 27] with a big majority, the matter would ultimately come to the Security Council for final approval. There we have the five Big Powers and China is one of them. — Staff Correspondent

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from D.I. Khan], President Bhutto today [Nov 23] regretted the criticism by the NWFP Chief Minister, Maulana Mufti Mahmud, about his recent announcement in Swat annulling the age-old colonial Frontier Crimes Regulation in Malakand. Speaking at a public meeting here, President Bhutto said every party wanted repeal of these “black laws”. What had he done to displease Maulana Mufti in making the announcement at his public meeting … he asked.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2022