RAWALPINDI: Prime Minister Z.A. Bhutto today [Dec 20] announced his Government’s decision to provide five marlas of land free of cost to everybody in rural areas for construction of houses. This scheme will begin from the Punjab province. Addressing a mammoth public gathering in Liaquat Gardens here … he said he was fully conscious of the hardships being experienced by the people on account of soaring prices and announced that the Government proposed to constitute a Price Commission to deal with the problem effectively. However, he maintained that prices were rising all over the world and Pakistan being dependent for most of its needs on imports could not avoid the impact.

While stressing the importance of national unity Mr Bhutto revived his offer of dialogue with the Opposition. However, he accused the Opposition of trying to exploit the difficult situation facing the country by indulging in false propaganda against the Government. He said these people were threatening to carve out a new country from West Pakistan and advance its borders if their demands were not met. But he reiterated his determination not to let any individual or party harm Pakistan’s integrity. — Islamabad Bureau

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2023