KARACHI: Former Governor of Baluchistan, Nawab Akbar Bugti was seen driving into the Prime Minister’s House yesterday [Sept 15], but no official source was available to confirm that he was having talks with Mr Bhutto. Political circles were, however, intrigued that while the present Baluchistan Governor, Mr Ahmad Yar Khan was inspecting the Tarbela Dam, the ex-Governor was contacting the Prime Minister. These circles were surprised at Mr Bugti’s ... unscheduled appearance in Karachi.

The question in everybody’s — particularly the Baluchs — mind is: “What was Mr Bugti doing in the Prime Minister’s House? Is he trying to have a political deal?” The reply to this question may not be available until sometime later. It was by a sheer accident that Mr Bugti’s presence in Karachi came to be known to a [news agency] correspondent while he was driving … to Clifton … [when] … he spotted Mr Bugti in [a] car. … He trailed Mr Bugti’s car which was headed towards the Prime Minister’s residence. Minutes later, the ex-Governor was seen walking into the [PM’s] House. … Baluch political circles were also surprised to hear about Mr Bugti’s visit to Karachi at this stage.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2024