ISLAMABAD: The Minister for Finance, Planning and Development, Dr Mubashir Hasan, said here today [June 1] Pakistan had told members of the World Bank’s aid-to-Pakistan Consortium that it would not pay, beyond this June, instalments relating to that part of foreign debts which were spent in Bangladesh.

Talking to newsmen, the Minister said Pakistan had made it quite clear to the Consortium members that it would have no obligation to make such payments any longer, and that the administration in Dacca should shoulder this burden. Replying to a question the Minister denied that the Consortium had asked Pakistan to come to an understanding with the Dacca administration on the outstanding financial matters before expecting any commitment of additional assistance and credits from the Consortium. — News agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from Athens,] Greece was today [June 1] declared a republic. Regent-Premier George Papadopoulos told the Greek people in a broadcast that his Government had decided to abolish the monarchy. Greece’s King Constantine has been living in Rome in self-imposed exile, refraining from any statements on political developments in Greece. He was not in Rome today.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2023