40 years ago AUGUST 19, 1986: Agitation by Pak opposition

On August 19, 1986, opposition parties in Pakistan initiated a nationwide indefinite protest against the government's crackdown on them, aiming to overthrow President Zia-ul-Haq. The unrest erupted in the streets, with clashes between government and opposition supporters turning violent. Police responded with force, opening fire on demonstrators.

At least eight individuals lost their lives, including four policemen. The 19-year-old ban on the Mizo National Front (MNF) was finally lifted. Following a review of the MNF's compliance with the terms of an earlier accord, the Union government deemed it safe to lift the ban. This decision allowed the MNF and its allied organizations to operate as legitimate political entities.

The MNF had been on the banned list since 1967, when it first declared the independence of Mizoram on March 1, 1966. Meanwhile, in a separate development, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev announced that Moscow would extend its unilateral nuclear test ban until January 1, 1987. Gorbachev also urged the United States to match Russia's example by declaring a moratorium on nuclear testing.

He proposed signing a treaty banning all nuclear testing for the current year, stating that the absence of tests would prevent further upgrades of existing nuclear weapons. Additionally, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi of India announced an additional financial aid of Rs 30 crore and Rs 30 lakh, sourced from the Prime Minister Relief Fund, to aid flood-affected regions in Andhra Pradesh.