LAHORE: The Islamic Summit Conference concluded at midnight demonstrating complete solidarity and unity of the Muslim world not only politically but also in the economic field. The Conference approved a joint declaration concerning almost all the problems facing the Muslim world. Addressing the concluding session, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto … assured leaders of 38 Muslim countries gathered at the session that Pakistan, though a poor nation will give their blood for the cause of Islam. Speaking amidst thunderous clapping, he said the people of Pakistan were the soldiers of Islam, and the armies of Pakistan were the armies of Islam. He said Pakistan was not able to do much during the last conflict, but if an occasion arose again the whole weight of Pakistan will be with the Arabs. — Summit bureau

[Meanwhile, news agencies add,] Bangla­desh Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rah­man said here tonight [Feb 24] he hoped the question of 195 POWs would be solved “satisfactorily.” He was talking to newsmen shortly before emplaning the Bangladesh ‘Biman’ Boeing 707 home. Sensing the anxiety of the journalists the Sheikh himself volunteered comments on the future of the 195 POWs… .

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2024