ISLAMABAD: To eliminate any possible doubt, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto will specify the date for the Hartal he has called upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan to observe to protest against the Indira-Abdullah deal, an official spokesman said here today [Feb 12]. … According to reports the deal between New Delhi and Sheikh Abdullah has been concluded. However, it has not yet been announced. The spokesman implied that the Government of India may avoid a formal announcement. The Hartal … will demonstrate rejection by the people of Jammu and Kashmir of the Indian attempt to deprive them of the … right of self-determination as well as their resolve to continue the struggle.

[Meanwhile,] the Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Mr Aziz Ahmad, today bitterly criticised the statement of Mian Tufail Mohammad, chief of Jamaat-i-Islami, against the call of Hartal given to the people … by the Prime Minister. Speaking in the National Assembly … Mr Aziz Ahmad said he was shocked at … statement issued by Mian Tufail. He said he was unable to understand … what was the objective of Maulana Sahib in issuing such statement.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2025