RAWALPINDI: Mr Akhtaruddin Ahmad, Vice-President of the Pakistan Muslim League (Convention), has expressed the hope that not before long all the three factions of the Muslim League will be merged into one party. He was addressing a Press conference here today [July 2] after his meeting with the President. Mr Akhtaruddin said that the decision in regard to the future leadership of the party will be taken by the workers and councillors of the three factions of three Leagues. He said the country was passing through abnormal conditions and the merger of the three Leagues could really inspire confidence among the people in East Pakistan and give them a glimmer of hope.

Mr Akhtaruddin said that he had met Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan in connection with the merger of the three Leagues. He disclosed that the Khan had approved the idea of unification. He said that he would also see Mr Mumtaz Daultana to discuss with him the same issue. Mr Akhtaruddin welcomed the idea of banning all those parties which were regional in their outlook and did not work for the integrity and solidarity of the country.

… Answering a question, he said that the concept of the two-nation theory must be revived and incorporated in the future constitution of the country. Pakistan, he emphasised, was an ideological country and the basis of its creation must be given proper attention. He reiterated his demand that the patriotic element in East Pakistan must be armed to protect themselves and to fight against miscreants.

MPA-elect severs ties with AL

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies in Dacca,] Mr Serajul Islam Choudhry, MPA-elect from Chittagong, today [July 3] declared that he had severed his relationship with the outlawed Awami League and from its primary membership.

In a statement to the Press he said that he was not aware of all the conspiracies of the outlawed Awami League leadership and he never indulged in any anti-social activities during the period of turmoil which overtook the country before and after March 25.

UAR may withdraw from UN motion

[Agencies add from Cairo,] United Arab Republic may withdraw from its commitment to implement the November 1967 Security Council resolution as part of a new strategy for the Middle East conflict … .

… UAR may decide to dissociate itself from the initiative begun by US Secretary of State, William Rogers, last year. … UAR might seek a meeting of the Security Council or General Assembly to debate the Middle-East crisis before the end of the year. … Egypt was spending 1,000 million Egyptian pounds (nearly 1,000 million sterling) a year on war requirements, while obtaining only 100 million pounds a year in assistance from the entire Arab nation. Egypt has, therefore needed all the time since the six-day war, in June 1967, to rebuild its Army and reorganise its economy.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2021