ISLAMABAD: The President tonight [March 16] extended Governor’s Rule in Baluchistan for another 30 days. For this the President issued a Proclamation under the Interim Constitution. The Province was placed under Governor’s Rule on Feb 15 for one month which was to expire tonight.

The Proclamation said: Whereas I, Zulfi­kar Ali Bhutto, on receipt of a report from the Go­­vernor of Baluchistan am satisfied — (I) That a situation has arisen in which the Gov­ern­ment of the Province of Baluchistan cannot be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Interim Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan … and (II) That the national interest so requires: Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 136 of the Constitution … I hereby direct the Governor of the province to assume on my behalf all functions and powers of the Government. — News agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported by our Staff Cor­respondent from Quetta,] Protest Day was observed in Quetta and other towns of Balu­chistan to protest against the dismissal of the democratically elected NAP Government and imposition of President’s Rule in Baluchistan and the removal of the two NAP Governors of NWFP and Baluchistan.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2023