LAHORE: In pursuance of a decision taken today [July 2] at the end of the two-day Governors’ conference in Islamabad, the Government of the Punjab has prohibited with immediate effect, under Rule 54 (A) of the Defence of Pakistan Rules, the publication in any form of any news, comments, views, statements, reports, photographs, cartoons or any other visible representations about any sectarian issue, says a Press note. … “This action, which is taken simultaneously in all the four provinces is dictated, apart from reasons of public safety, by the consideration that the National Assembly, meeting as a committee of the whole House, may be able to debate the Ahmedia issue without prejudice.”

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from Rome,] thousands of Italian Government workers were being paid this week with borrowed money as the Italian treasury hovered on the brink of virtual bankruptcy. This month the city of Rome could only pay its wage bill with the help of a last-minute bank loan, which could be the last in a long line of emergency credits. … In Milan, police cars remained idle in their garages because the municipal government did not have the funds to pay its petrol bill.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2024