ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto has once again informed the United Nations Secretary-General, Dr. Kurt Waldheim, of Afghanistan’s continuous interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs and of its designs against this country’s integrity and political independence. In a letter addressed to the [UN SG], the [PM] said that under the guise of “emotional attachment” and “defence of political rights”, the Government of Afghanistan “has been actively encouraging … subversive activities and acts of terrorism and sabotage within Pakistan. … The President of … Afghanistan … has once again taken upon himself to make comments on the domestic situation in Pakistan which are totally unwarranted”.

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from Washington,] President Ford declined comment … on a report that three US divisions were on their way or being prepared for the Middle East. He said: “I don’t think I ought to talk about any particular military contingency plans.” During an interview … Mr Ford again backed Secretary of State Henry Kissinger who said … that the [US] would not rule out the use of force to obtain Middle East oil if the [US] faced industrial “strangulation.”

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2025