ISLAMABAD: The much-awaited resolution on Bangladesh was passed by the National Assembly at 1.20 this morning [July 10] after a lot of excitement and dramatic developments. For over an hour the proceedings were dominated by noise and confusion. After the hour-long exchanges — first on technical grounds raised by Jamaat-i-Islami’s Mahmud Azam Farooqui and Tehrik Istiqlal’s Mahmud Ali Kasuri and then, on Wali Khan’s demand that the Opposition be given an assurance that enough time would be allowed for the debate … the Opposition members staged a walkout amidst booing and jeering.

Members of the Federal Security Force and the police … were present … all around the Assembly premises and on roads leading to the Assembly. Addressing the National Assembly a second time to wind up the debate on the resolution, President Z.A. Bhutto lashed out at the Opposition in very stormy language. Starting at 12.15 a.m., the President thanked the downtrodden people of the country for having reposed trust in the Government. He said debate … on this vital issue had in fact been desired by him as it was undoubtedly an extremely important issue. …

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2023