ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Bhutto today [April 2] warned the nation against provincial ego and provincial chauvinism which were growing to dangerous proportions, and said that if these tendencies were allowed to develop, it would mean disaster for all “and not a single federating unit of the country will be able to escape this catastrophe”. Addressing the Senate … on the occasion of its first meeting in its own chamber, the Prime Minister said: “We must put our heads together and work for national solidarity.”

He said he believed in genuine provincial autonomy where the provinces were able to flourish in their respective spheres. But he did not like the people to be chauvinistic. He said he had great fear of this tendency which was developing in all the provinces. He advised ‘men of vision and patriotism’ to put their shoulders together to safeguard national unity.

He said if democracy was to flourish ... the people will have to sit in the Opposition as well as in the Government. But it should be the national interest which should guide us all. Today, he was addressing the Senate from the Treasury Benches … and pointed out that he had been in the Opposition also.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2024