PESHAWAR: President Ayub Khan declared here today [Nov 10]: “So long as India does not adopt a friendly policy towards Pakistan and continues to arm itself to the teeth we will have to strengthen our defensive power and for this we need unity, faith and discipline.”

The president was addressing a mammoth public meeting — one of the biggest in Peshawar’s history — organised by the Peshawar Muslim League at Jinnah Park. About three lakhs people from the Peshawar region and tribal areas attended the meeting. — Correspondent

[Meanwhile, as reported by another correspondent in Peshawar,] President Ayub Khan showed exemplary courage, patience and presence of mind when an attempt was made by an unidentified young man to create confusion at the public meeting....

Two shots were heard from a section of the crowd to the left of the dais when the Vice-President of the Provincial Muslim League, Mr Mukarram Khan, was presenting his address of welcome to the President. A young man in a dark blue suit was seen standing there with a pistol in his hand.

While the young man was being overpowered by the people, the President stood up, went towards the microphone and started his address.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2018