UNITED NATIONS: Chaudhri Zafrullah Khan yesterday emerged as the strongest candidate for the Presidentship of the coming session of the UN General Assembly due to begin here next September. He is expected to declare his candidature officially next week.

The only declared candidate so far is Ceylon’s Permanent Representative Malasekera. Representatives of Japan and Cyprus are also believed to be interested in the position.

It is learnt that India is backing the Ceylonese candidacy though, on an individual plane, UN observers regard Chaudhri Zafrullah as the most competent man to chair the next session of the General Assembly which promises to be crucial for the future of the United Nations.

Among other things, the Assembly will have to elect a permanent Secretary-General as U Thant’s provisional term expires in April 1963.—Special Representative

US offers India ‘attractive deal’

NEW DELHI: The US Government is understood to have protested to the Indian Government against the latter’s decision to buy MIG-21 jets from the Soviet Union for strengthening the Indian Air Force. A similar protest is learnt to have been lodged by the British Government against the proposed deal.—Delhi Correspondent

Ayub visits Islamabad

RAWALPINDI: President Ayub Khan drove to Islamabad last evening and saw the progress of construction of the new capital.—Agencies