Opinion October 18, 1985, Forty Years Ago: Zia Is President

Gen Ziaul Haq of Pakistan was confirmed as Pakistan’s President for five years. The assembly agreed to validate his tenure of the last eight years on the unwritten promise that he will lift martial law by December 31 next year. Speaking after the vote, Haq said. “Nobody has won. Nobody has lost, only Pakistan and national interest has triumphed.”

Andhra Press Bill

The Telugu Desam government has finalised a draft bill to amend the Indian Penal Code (1PC) and the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), 1973, Central Act 2 of 1974 in their application to the state of Andhra Pradesh on the ostensible plea of curbing defamatory and scurrilous writings in newspapers and periodicals. The new bill provides for a sentence with imprisonment of up to seven years and fine and is a replica of the infamous Bihar press bill, which was withdrawn after protests.

Advertisement

PM’s Proposal

The Commonwealth Summit accepted a proposal by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to set up a committee to suggest ways to ensure a better world order. Gandhi made the suggestion during a discussion on the international situation. An ad hoc committee was formed to study the protocol.

SFI Sweeps Polls

The Students Federation of India (SFI). student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), has won all the four posts of office bearers of the JNU Students Union (JNUSU) elections. T K Arun of SFI was declared elected president. He polled 601 votes against 346 polled by his nearest rival S N Malakar of the All India Students Federation (AISF), student wing of the Communist Party of India.