WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto emphatically denied that Pakistan was receiving any military equipment from Iran. Addressing a national Press Club luncheon meeting, the Prime Minister said Iran was buying sophisticated arms for her own needs and it had the resources to do so. He said: “I want to make it emphatically clear beyond all doubts that we are not receiving any military assistance. ...”

“Iran has the resources to build her defence force. She is purchasing sophisticated weapons with hard cash and Iran is the master of her own destiny. …” Mr Bhutto in earlier remarks … made a strong plea for a resumption of full-scale American arms supplies and suggested that the United States had treaty obligations to provide Pakistan with weapons. In his remarks … the Prime Minister said Pakistan did not want to confront India or engage in arms race “but peace cannot be sustained by illusions.” — News agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported from the UN], the United Nations General Assembly … admitted the two German states to full membership in a history-making action… .

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2023