LAHORE: Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto said here today [April 19] that the recent policy announcement on Baluchistan problem formed only the first step towards an amicable and satisfactory solution, and expressed the confidence that “we will be able to overcome it”. After this initial step, his Government would complete the process of bringing about a settlement, but much depended on reciprocity, he said. Mr. Bhutto was addressing a Press conference at the Governor’s House. …

Mr Bhutto said the recent decision on Baluchistan was very important — military operations would be frozen from May 15, amnesty had been declared and the Provincial Legislature was going to meet soon. “We will see how the situation develops, and we seek an honourable settlement. …” Referring to the repeated demand in certain circles for a political settlement … he said that although it was not a problem of “our creation”, he had taken a number of steps which could not be termed as military. … Asked if the general amnesty decision also covered the NAP leaders, including … Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo and … Ataullah Mengal, he said it did not include them as they belonged to a different category.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2024