ISLAMABAD: The Federal Minister for Works and Labour, Mr Mohammad Hanif, today [Dec 13] assured the National Assembly that the defence of the country was dear to the Government and every able-bodied man will be provided necessary military training to enable him to take effective part in the defence of the country. The Minister was speaking while winding up discussion on the private member’s resolution moved by Maulana Abdul Mustafa al Azhari, which said that the Government must impart military training to young men to enable them to take effective part in “Jehad” and strengthen the defence of the country. However, on the assurance given by the Government, the mover of the resolution decided to withdraw his motion. … The Labour Minister said that Pakistan was not short of “Mujahids”; what the country needed, he said, was sophisticated weapons.

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from New Delhi,] troops in the town of Meerut in … Uttar Pradesh were put on alert in the face of general panic following violent incidents in which eight people have so far died. An Uttar Pradesh state Government spokesman said the curfew, which was to have been lifted … this morning [Dec 13], had been reimposed… .

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2023