KARACHI: Despite her economic distress, India has chosen to prepare for war, said President Ayub Khan in his first-of-the-month broadcast last evening. As India considered Pakistan to be its worst enemy this country was faced with a grave threat, he said. The announcement of large-scale arms aid by Soviet Russia to India was an event of gravest import to Pakistan, the President continued.

Commenting on USSR arms aid to India, President Ayub made the significant observation that Pakistan was seeking to normalise relations with Russia, but it depended on whether Russia continued to arm India against Pakistan or not. The President pointed out that India had shown no practical indication of coming to terms with Pakistan. On the contrary, the Kashmir dispute still continued, eviction of Indian Muslims was also going on, and incidents on the cease-fire line had gone from bad to worse.

The President warned the nation that at a juncture like this when the country was passing through a critical period of its economic and political development, there was no place for emotionalism. He said what was needed was “a cool head”. The President emphasised the need for political and economic stability and a strong and purposeful leadership.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2014