PYONGYANG: Marshal Kim Il Sung and Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto began formal talks today [May 22] amid indications that they have gone well to necessitate unscheduled continuation tomorrow. … Although official sources have not been able to say much about the prolongation of the present phase of talks, it can be taken as a sign showing that these have reached a crucial stage and both parties have found it worthwhile to do without the pre-arranged visit to Ham Hung and other places.

[New agencies add,] Prime Minister Bhutto and President Kim Il Sung had a 90-minute session of formal talks this morning and reviewed all aspects of bilateral relations and the situation in South Asia. … Later tonight the Prime Minister and Begum Nusrat Bhutto accompanied by President Kim and his wife saw a revolutionary opera at a grand stadium here. The opera exquisitely depicted the struggle of the Korean people under the leadership of Marshal Kim Il Sung for the liberation of his country and the reconstruction of society. … Diplomatic circles in the DRPK capital have noted that the reception given to Prime Minister Bhutto by the people here on arrival was unprecedented in the history of Korea.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2026