ISLAMABAD: A joint session of Parliament`s two Houses here tonight [April 26] approved the ruling party`s resolution extending Governor`s Rule in Baluchistan for another two months the third and final extension allowed by the Constitution marking the completion of six months of the Federal Government`s rule in the Province. It followed a ... heated debate, with the Opposition severely criticising the Central Government`s handling of the situation in Baluchistan and the ruling party members, with Prime Minister Bhutto ... offering a forceful defence of the measure.

Replying to the Opposition`s main charge that the constitutional provision allowing Governor`s Rule ... was being misused ...

endangering the integrity of the country Mr Bhutto said the measures might be dangerous for the Opposition, but the people ...

had derived satisfaction from it because it was taken to undo the conspiracy against the unity ... of Pakistan. The majority of the Opposition members pleaded that attempt should be made to arrive at a political settlement of the Baluchistan problem in the larger interest of the country`s solidarity and integrity. Islamabad Bureau