RAWALPINDI: Prime Minister Bhutto today [Dec 21] disclosed that the Islamic Summit Conference will now begin on Feb. 22 at Lahore instead of Jan. 16 — and all heads of Muslim States have agreed to participate. Earlier on Feb. 19 the Foreign Ministers of the participating States will meet in Lahore. Winding up the foreign policy debate in the National Assembly … the Prime Minister defended his foreign policy as in the best interest of Pakistan and regretted the Opposition’s charge that he was full of contradictions.

He said the foreign policy was based on a sense of realism without compromising principles. … He said Pakistan wished to have good relations with all three Big Powers — USA, China and Russia — and added there was nothing incompatible in this policy. He said Pakistan also wished to normalise its relations with India and resolve its disputes with that country by peaceful means. But … Pakistan has not surrendered the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir. Mr Bhutto said Pakistan would always stand by the Arabs in times of peace and in times of war. During the recent Arab-Israeli war Pakistan had done all that was possible … to support the Arabs.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2023