KARACHI: The Central Finance Minister, Mr Abdul Qadir, yesterday debunked certain politicians’ allegation by asserting that what President Ayub’s regime has accomplished for East Pakistan in four years was not done by the politicians in the entire preceding period of 11 years.

Addressing a Press conference in Karachi he described as “contrary to facts” the allegation made by these politicians that the Centre has not been according fair treatment to East Pakistan in respect of the allocation of financial resources.

Mr Abdul Qadir disclosed that total allocations to the East Pakistan Government as assignment of revenues, loans and grants amounted to about Rs358 crores during 1958-62 as against about Rs200 crores during 1947-58.

In the years preceding the revolution, he pointed out, the level of assistance, combined in all forms, had been roughly of the order of Rs20 to Rs30 crores.

This level, he said, rose steadily after 1958 to Rs78 crores in 1961-62. During the current fiscal year, provision of Rs159 crores has been made for assistance to the East Pakistan Government, he added.—Staff Correspondent

US ships reimpose Cuban blockade WASHINGTON: U.S. warships deployed in the Caribbean at dawn this morning (Nov 1) resumed their arms blockade around Cuba, the White House confirmed. It said the U.S. had also resumed “surveillance”.

The spokesman refused to say if this included aerial reconnaissance over Cuba by US planes.

The White House said on Monday night that the quarantine of offensive weapons entering Cuba had been lifted by President Kennedy at the request of Acting United Nations Secretary-General U Thant during his visit to Havana.—Agencies

Opinion

Editorial

Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...
A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...