RAWALPINDI: The majority of the Opposition members today [March 26] kept out of the National Assembly in response to the UDF`s directive to boycott its proceedings till its demands for constitutional amendments were met; but the Assembly proceeded with consideration of the Constitution Bill, following a statement by the Law Minister, Mr Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, that the President was willing to ... talk to the ... Opposition on their demands `on the condition that they must first come back to the House`.

Consideration of the controversial provisions was, however, deferred till the response of the Opposition ... was received. The President`s offer to the Opposition ... was turned down by the UDF`s spokesman, Sardar Shaukat Hayat Khan, who told a hurriedly called Press conference ... that all the Opposition parties ... had joined the UDF and were bound by its discipline. Special Representative [Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from Manila,] Government troops killed 200 `rebels` ... in a six-hour battle with Muslims in the Southern Philippines, military authorities said. ... In terms of casualties, it was the biggest single battle so far ... involving Government forces and `insurgents` since President Ferdinand E.

Marcos declared Martial Law.RAWALPINDI: The majority of the Opposition members today [March 26] kept out of the National Assembly in response to the UDF`s directive to boycott its proceedings till its demands for constitutional amendments were met; but the Assembly proceeded with consideration of the Constitution Bill, following a statement by the Law Minister, Mr Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, that the President was willing to ... talk to the ... Opposition on their demands `on the condition that they must first come back to the House`.

Consideration of the controversial provisions was, however, deferred till the response of the Opposition ... was received. The President`s offer to the Opposition ... was turned down by the UDF`s spokesman, Sardar Shaukat Hayat Khan, who told a hurriedly called Press conference ... that all the Opposition parties ... had joined the UDF and were bound by its discipline. Special Representative [Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from Manila,] Government troops killed 200 `rebels` ... in a six-hour battle with Muslims in the Southern Philippines, military authorities said. ... In terms of casualties, it was the biggest single battle so far ... involving Government forces and `insurgents` since President Ferdinand E.

Marcos declared Martial Law.