RAWALPINDI Talks between the World Bank vice-president, Mr W.A.B. IIiff, and Pakistani leaders are believed to have progressed towards success when Foreign Minister Manzurul Qadir conferred with Mr IIiff at a dinner meeting. The foreign minister's dinner was joined by Mr G. Mueenuddin, Secretary Nazir Ahmad and Bank representatives accompanying Mr IIiff.A clear indication about the trend of talks will only be available after Mr IIiff has left for Washington. Before leaving he will call on President Ayub Khan for final talks. Mr IIiff had a quiet day at Murree where he had gone on a day's trip presumably to escape the sultry heat of Rawalpindi.

Meanwhile, Pakistani engineers concluded the examination of Bank's latest proposals in the light of Indian attitude and submitted their preliminary report to Mr G. Mueenuddin. Later, Mr Mueenuddin, and Mr Nazir Ahmad scrutinised the report which was taken up at the meeting between Mr IIiff and Mr Qadir, it is learnt.Finance Minister Shoaib's sudden illness has considerably slowed down the progress of talks. Since Mr Shoaib had been tackling the canal water talks for a long time, no definite commitment is possible from the Pakistan side without consulting him. Mr Shoaib is in hospital and unless he returns to desk, the current phase of talks may remain inconclusive. However, Mr IIiff's departure on Monday as originally scheduled so far remains unchanged.

Muslim shelters 400 Hindus

NEW DELHI An aged but stout-hearted Muslim villager, Mohammad Danish of District Nowgong, Assam, was personally congratulated by the Union Law Minister, Mr Ashok Sen, during his recent tour of the strife-torn state for having given refuge to 400 Bengali Hindus in his house.

They had lost all their belongings and their houses were burnt and looted by the Assamese Hindus. When Mohammad Danish provide shelter to these destitute Bengalis, a crowed of angry Assamese threatened him with dire consequences, but he remained undaunted although ultimately his house was also subjected to arson, Mr Sen disclosed.