KARACHI: The Central Finance Minister, Mr Abdul Qadir, yesterday debunked certain politicians’ allegation by asserting that what President Ayub’s regime has accomplished for East Pakistan in four years was not done by the politicians in the entire preceding period of 11 years.

Addressing a Press conference in Karachi he described as “contrary to facts” the allegation made by these politicians that the Centre has not been according fair treatment to East Pakistan in respect of the allocation of financial resources.

Mr Abdul Qadir disclosed that total allocations to the East Pakistan Government as assignment of revenues, loans and grants amounted to about Rs358 crores during 1958-62 as against about Rs200 crores during 1947-58.

In the years preceding the revolution, he pointed out, the level of assistance, combined in all forms, had been roughly of the order of Rs20 to Rs30 crores.

This level, he said, rose steadily after 1958 to Rs78 crores in 1961-62. During the current fiscal year, provision of Rs159 crores has been made for assistance to the East Pakistan Government, he added.—Staff Correspondent

US ships reimpose Cuban blockade WASHINGTON: U.S. warships deployed in the Caribbean at dawn this morning (Nov 1) resumed their arms blockade around Cuba, the White House confirmed. It said the U.S. had also resumed “surveillance”.

The spokesman refused to say if this included aerial reconnaissance over Cuba by US planes.

The White House said on Monday night that the quarantine of offensive weapons entering Cuba had been lifted by President Kennedy at the request of Acting United Nations Secretary-General U Thant during his visit to Havana.—Agencies

Opinion

Editorial

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