LAHORE: President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto today [Aug 1] said he would shortly convene meetings of the parliamentary group and Central Committee of his Party to consider whether or not the question of recognition of Bangladesh [should] be discussed at the next session of the National Assembly. Asked to comment on conflicting reports over the question, the President said he would call a meeting of the Parliamentary Party of the PPP on his return to Rawalpindi. But before that the Central Committee of the Party would also meet to consider the question. ...

In reply to a question whether his Government would consider the journalists` demand to repeal the black Press laws since there was complete unanimity of views between the Opposition and his Party over the need for freedom of Press ... the President said he had repeatedly made it clear that his Government would progressively change the existing laws to bring them in conformity with the freedom of Press.

However, sincere efforts on part of the Government had suffered setbacks due to the abuse of this freedom. Staf f reporter