KARACHI: Premier Yusuf Haroon told the Sind Assembly on Thursday [March 17] that “widespread” damage in the Sukkur Barrage had been discovered ... and “effective and timely steps” were being taken by the Government to avert any possible catastrophe. … He assured the House that the Government were conscious of “the paramount importance of Sukkur Barrage to the province”, and were fully aware of the “very grave results which would accrue from any damage to the Barrage”.

He pointed out that to repair the damage was difficult and dangerous unless carried out by a skilled staff with previous experience ... and the Government had invited a team of engineers of international repute for the purpose. A representative non-official committee of five MLAs … was being sent to Sukkur ... for on-the-spot inspection.

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies in Damascus,] the Syrian Government has agreed in principle to peace negotiations with the Jews and has begun preparations for them. Names of the Syrian delegation [for] talks with “Israel” were not known here, but it was believed they would mostly be military representatives.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2024