ABBOTTABAD: Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto said here this afternoon [Nov 8] that the process of economic change for the advancement of common man and social justice introduced through nationalisation of basic industries and land reforms is irreversible. He was speaking at a reception hosted in his honour by the NWFP Senior Minister, Mr Iqbal Khan Jadoon. He said certain reactionary elements … had given four points, which included putting the national economy in reverse gear. They have stated that they aim at correcting the national economy which meant the factories and lands which had been acquired for the benefit of the common man and tillers of the land would be returned to Seths and big Zamindars.

The [PM] said an economic infrastructure had been built … and the whole world today acknowledged that Pakistan was progressing satisfactorily. But these reactionary elements had the audacity to say they would return the small factories of the entrepreneurs. … He said the acquired lands have already been distributed among the cultivators. The nationalised industrial units were being run for the benefit of workers and the entire nation.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2026