Mr Shoaib expressed his satisfaction that smuggling from East Pakistan had considerably decreased, but felt that the smuggling of gold across the border had not yet been successfully stopped. The Minister also referred to the prices of gold prevailing in East Pakistan and pointed out that the demand of gold outside Pakistan was great. He, however, pointed out that the Government was determined to completely stop smuggling of gold and other things essential to the country.

High price of gold was indicative of the fact that there was a great demand for gold outside Pakistan. Mr Shoaib said the wealth created in the country is the wealth of the people. If any portion of that wealth was smuggled out of the country, the people to that extent would be deprived of their legitimate right. It would also upset the Government’s efforts to raise the standard of living of the people, he said.

Bhutto hopeful of getting aid KARACHI: Minister for Fuel, Power and Natural Resources Z.A. Bhutto said here yesterday that he was “not unhopeful” about the prospects of Pakistan getting the required aid for the second and third year of the Second Five-Year Plan. He was talking to newsmen on arrival after a month’s tour of Europe and Iran.

He told newsmen, that Belgium had agreed to send an observer to the Consortium meeting which will take place in Washington on Jan 23. Asked if any of the countries he visited had agreed to join the Consortium, he said: “Italy and the Netherlands have agreed to consider the matter.”