There was no issue of the newspaper on March 24, 1971, on account of Pakistan Day. The following excerpt has been taken from the previous day’s issue.

DACCA: A major development in the current series of parleys now going on in Dacca to find a solution to the present political crisis took place when the President postponed the National Assembly session yesterday [March 21]. An announcement said that the decision had been taken in consultation with the leaders of both Wings. … Meanwhile, the President yesterday had a joint meeting with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Mr. Z.A. Bhutto.... Mr. Bhutto and his advisers met the President separately in the evening. Other political leaders … also met the President jointly. ...Khan Abdul Qayum Khan left Karachi for Dacca last night at the invitation of the President. — Correspondent

[Meanwhile, as reported by our correspondent in Dacca,] ...Mr. Z.A. Bhutto said today [March 22] they were examining the broad agreement reached between the President and Awami League Chief Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and assured that his party would make every effort to reach an understanding to end the present crisis, which he described as “most unfortunate and tragic”. Addressing a hurriedly called Press Conference on the top floor of Hotel Intercontinental Dacca, Mr Bhutto said the President had communicated to him during his meeting with him the general agreement arrived at with the Awami League Chief. ...

Mr Bhutto said he met Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the tripartite meeting at the President House. Asked whether he also met the AL Chief separately without the President Mr Bhutto parried the question. He however, added he had a “fruitful” and “satisfactory” meeting with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2021