NEW DELHI: The daily “Statesman” today [Feb 28] quoted Sheikh Mujib as saying in an … interview in Dacca yesterday that he would be prepared to do his bit to help India and Pakistan sort out their differences. The Ban­gladesh leader was also quoted … in the interview with the Editor … Kuldip Nayar, that he wanted to help Pakistan Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. “He is an old friend.”

Nayar said he found Sheikh Mujib quite indulgent towards Pakistan and quoted him saying he was “impressed by Mr Bhutto’s sincerity” and overwhelmed by the love and affection shown when he went to Pakistan for the recent Islamic Summit. Asked about the Pakistani crackdown in Bangladesh before its independence, Sheikh Mujib said: “I want to forget all that. I want my people to forget. … We have to start afresh. …” — News agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported by our staff reporter from Karachi,] the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry will soon start consultations with trade organisations in the Muslim World for setting up an international Islamic business organisation to mobilise efforts for closer cooperation in the field of trade and industry, Mr M. Akram, President of the FPCC&I said.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2024