ISLAMABAD: A demand to limit imports to defence equipment and life-saving drugs only was voiced in the National Assembly today [June 11] as general discussion on the 1975-76 Budget continued on the second day. Mr Ghu­lam Nabi Chaudhri (PPP-Lyallpur) the overni­ght speaker, made the demand when he resu­med his speech… . He said this was the best way to check pressure on the balan­­ce of paym­ents. The other speakers … were Begum Nas­im Jehan (PPP) and Maulana Ab­­dul Hakim (JUI-Hazara). Begum Nasim Jeh­an devoted a major portion of her speech to the rights of women and said a status of wo­­men commission be constituted before the Me­­xico conference in connection with current International Women’s Year. — News agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from Islamabad,] a wide range of proposals for the promotion of Arabic in the country are being considered at the talks … going on between the … Government and members of the visiting delegation of Arab League Edu­cational, Cultural and Scientific Organi­sation. The two-member delegation, headed by Dr Bishri, is now on a 12-day visit to identify the areas where the organisation can assist Pakistan in the promotion of Arabic.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2025