ISLAMABAD: Official sources said here today [Aug 21] Pakistan’s initiative for the inclusion in the agenda of the 29th session of the UN General Assembly of an item seeking to establish a “nuclear free zone” in South Asia has been taken after serious deliberation and with the hope that it would not be seen as a manifestation of bilateral confrontation between India and Pakistan. Referring to the exchange of letters between the two countries, both at the Foreign Ministers and the Foreign Secretaries level, they said the Government … was looking forward to the resumption of a dialogue … under the terms of the Simla agreement. — Islamabad Bureau

[Meanwhile, as reported by our staff reporter,] Maulana Abul A’la Maudoodi returned to Karachi ... from London after undergoing treatment in the USA. Begum Maudoodi came with him. Maulana … was received … by Jamaat-i-Islami leaders. A large number of his supporters … had also assembled to welcome him. … Maulana … did not oblige newsmen with an airport interview saying that he was extremely tired after a 14-hour sleepless journey. … He told newsmen that due to his … health … he would not … have any public engagements in the City.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2024