MINGORA: Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto declared here today [July 12] that Pakistan wished Afghanistan well and would never commit aggression against her, but at the same time if Afghanistan dared to attack Pakistan then it would get such a reply as would be remembered in the annals of history. Addressing a huge public meeting … Mr. Bhutto told the slogan-raising crowd … that this time victory would be of Pakistan and Pakistan would not ask for a cease-fire. He declared: “Either we will emerge victorious or we will die fighting.”

The Prime Minister said he would still urge the Afghan rulers to live like brothers. … He asked the people not to feel unduly concerned and leave the matter of the country’s security … in his hands. As long as he was alive he would not let any harm come to Pakistan. … Talking of the Pakhtoonistan stunt, Mr. Bhutto said in fact “Pakhtoonistan” had already been established as complete provincial autonomy had been assured under Pakistan’s Constitution. … Mr. Bhutto devoted the major portion of his … speech to his scathing attack on the NAP and the JUI for their anti-people utterances. … He named Wali Khan for … hobnobbing with Sardar Daud Khan.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2024