RAWALPINDI: An accord appeared to be in the offing following two sessions of political talks between President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and leaders of the National Awami Party and Jamiat-i-Ulema here today [March 4]. Progress and satisfaction were reported by both … sides after over three hours of talks. … After the second meeting with the President, the NAP chief, Khan Abdul Wali Khan, told newsmen this evening: “We are satisfied with the way things are moving.” He said the talks covered constitution – interim or permanent – and restoration of democracy. … Earlier in the day, after the first session of talks, Khan Abdul Wali Khan told newsmen that the political situation in the country was discussed “in detail”… . — News agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies in Srinagar,] At least a hundred people, including 72 policemen, were injured when a mob carrying stones and sticks … attacked a police station here yesterday [March 3]. Police used batons and teargas … in an interior area of this Indian-occupied Kashmir capital… . The violence came as the area observed a general strike and business shutdown in response to a call by Moulvi Farooq, president of the pro-Pakistani Awami Action Committee of Kashmir. He called a strike to protest against the police action … which broke up a meeting … to be addressed by him.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2022