ROME: Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Begum Bhutto and members of his entourage arrived here this afternoon [Feb 3] on their way to the United States. They were received at Leonardo da Vinci airport by Italian Minister Salizzoni and other officials. Pakistan Ambassador Aftab Ahmad, a large number of Pakistani nationals and their wives, as well as officials of the Pakistan Embassy were also present to greet the [PM]. … The [PM], who is here on private visit, was resting in his hotel today. — News agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from Cairo,] Umme Kulsoom the woman singing idol of the Arab World, died today [Feb 3]. … The famous singer, whose age was never revealed but was believed to be more than 70, died after being in a coma for five days following a brain haemorrhage. Umme Kulsoom, an elegant dark-haired woman who was often called “the Star of the East”, had the whole Arab world at her feet. She was adored by Kings and peasants alike, from Morocco to the Gulf. A millionaire, she lived in a rose-coloured mansion beside the … Nile. … She was the favourite singer of … Gamal Abdel Nasser and was given the title of People’s Artist by President Anwar Sadat.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2025