“THIS is an absolute canard; there can be no question of my resignation,” declared Pirzada Abdus Sattar, Minister for Food in the Pakistan Government, when his attention was drawn to a report featured by a local Hindu daily in its Friday’s issue forecasting “a crisis” over what it called “the Karachi issue”. The Pirzada characterised such propaganda as utterly mischievous. High political quarters in Pakistan’s capital, Dawn learns, are thoroughly disgusted at the manner in which agitation is being engineered over the issue of Karachi remaining the Central capital.

It is pointed out that in taking a final decision all aspects and implications will be fully taken into consideration. Consultations are being held … between the Pakistan Govern­ment and the Sind Government… . Surprise is expressed that while the representative of the two Governments were supposed to be holding discussions, suddenly the semblance of an agitation should have developed publicly. It is pointed out that where high level arguments fail to convince, unconstitutional methods and slogan shouting are not likely to succeed. — Dawn Political Correspondent

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2023