KARACHI: President Ayub Khan yesterday declared that work on Tarbela Dam “will not be stopped under any circumstances”. In his first-of-the-month broadcast to the nation, the President hoped that “all those countries which wish to see progress and prosperity in Pakistan will not hesitate to give us economic aid”.

He informed the nation that preliminary work on the Dam — one of the important projects — was well under way. The aid given by the World Bank for its initial expenditure was found inadequate. Hence Pakistan had asked the Consortium to give more aid. The Paris meeting of the Consortium had postponed decision on this request.

However, he was confident that “the friendly countries will not hesitate in extending necessary aid to this project”.

The President also condemned the recent Israeli attack on Jordan — a manifestation of Israel’s hostility towards the Arabs — and called upon all Muslim countries to give “practical support and assistance” to Jordan. — Special Representative

[Meanwhile, as reported by Our Staff Corres­pondent from Karachi,] about 3,500 employees of the 45 Karachi branches of the National Bank of Pakistan went on strike yesterday morning, demanding more pay and amenities.

The strike was province-wide and Union officials said 9,000 class III and IV employees in West Pakistan had struck work yesterday — the first and the busiest day of work. According to them the employees in East Pakistan had also struck work.

About 2,000 local employees assembled on Wood Street, outside the National Bank head office. Labour Union officials addressed the meeting which decided to continue and strike till their demands were met.

All the branches of the Bank in Karachi were yesterday managed by officers only. The work was slow and long queues were seen at all the branches.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2016