RAWALPINDI: Political observers in the Federal Capital noted with satisfaction the calm in the Frontier province and Baluchistan following the Presidential action. They said that the welcome accorded [to] the measure was an indication that people had been awaiting the Central action.

The new political development was the resignation of the NWFP Provincial Cabinet, headed by Maulana Mufti Mahmud. The Governor was considering the resignation and he is in touch with the President in this regard. Obviously there were only two alternatives, namely, either a new Ministry enjoying majority support should be installed or Governor’s Rule will continue till the political position in the provincial legislature becomes clear. — News agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported by our staff repo­r­ter from Karachi,] a habeas corpus petition praying for the release of Mr Altaf Gauhar was admitted … by a Division Bench of the High Court of Sind & Baluchistan. … The petition was filed by Mrs Zarina Gauhar, wife of Mr Altaf Gauhar, Editor, Dawn, who was arrested on Wednesday [Feb 14] night under the DPR. Mr Manzur Qadir appeared for the petitioner. The petitioner prayed that Mr Altaf Gauhar be produced in court and be set at liberty.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2023