RAWALPINDI: In a series of dramatic announcements today [Feb 15], the NAP Governors of Baluchistan and NWFP, Mr Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo and Arbab Sikander Khan Khalil respectively, were relieved of office, the Baluchistan Cabinet headed by NAP’s Ataullah Mengal, was removed and President’s Rule imposed for 30 days, and Sardar Akbar Khan Bugti and Mr Aslam Khan Khattak were sworn in as Governors of Baluchistan and NWFP respectively.

Late tonight, the NWFP’s NAP-JUI coalition Government, led by JUI’s Maulana Mufti Mahmud resigned following the withdrawal of support earlier today by Mr Aslam Khan’s United Front. The announcement was made from the outgoing Chief Minister’s house, through the Provincial Information Department. — Special Representative

[Meanwhile, as reported by Our Staff Rep­orter from Karachi,] Mr Altaf Gauhar, Editor “Dawn”, was arrested shortly after midnight of Wednesday [Feb 14] from his residence in Karachi. He was forced out of his room at gun point after a heavy police posse broke open the main gate and then the door of the room. The inmates of the house were expressly forbidden to use the telephone which was then disconnected. Mr Altaf Gauhar’s son, his nephew and a servant were maltreated.

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2023