RAWALPINDI: The Central Industries Minister, Mr Altaf Husain, declared in the National Assembly today [Nov 29] that the Government was fully aware of its constitutional obligations. “Disparity between the two Wings of the country shall and must be removed,” he said and assured the members that “we will do everything in power to see that this obligation is fully and faithfully discharged”.

Mr Altaf Husain said: “In spite of the drawbacks, which undoubtedly exist, the Government of President Ayub, ever since he came to power, has followed systematically and consistently a policy which has led to an increase in the volume of allocations, as well as investments, in the private sector in East Pakistan.”

The Minister was replying to a two-hour debate on a private member’s resolution moved by Mr Abdul Ghafoor (ML) which called for the appointment of a committee of the House “to enquire into the lack of response on the part of the people of East Pakistan to participate adequately in the private sector of the economy”.

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies from Dacca,] six Indian films were publicly burnt here today at the main gate of Baitul Mukarram as a protest against the Indian aggression. As the burning was in progress hundreds of voices raised anti-Indian slogans. Even small children shouted, hailing the burning of Indian films.

On the occasion, one of the comedians of East Pakistan films changed his name “Kumar”, which is a Hindu name, to “Majnu”. Mr S.M. Salim, the proprietor of Moonlight Pictures who burnt the Indian films, said in an interview ... that today’s burning was just a beginning. He said Indian films never depicted our national sentiment or culture, and hailed the Indonesians who had also banned Indian films and burnt them publicly.

Earlier, the film producers, exhibitors, distributors, artistes and technicians condemned the Indian aggression on our sacred soil.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2015