GUJRANWALA: Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto today [April 4] emphatically made it clear both to India and Afghanistan that war will not help them in any manner to achieve their objectives against Pakistan. “The story of East Pakistan can never be repeated again,” he declared, but regretted that despite Pakistan’s best efforts to have good relations with them, both India and Afghanistan were pursuing a hostile policy against Pakistan. He said it was always from their side that aggression was committed against Pakistan.

Counselling reason, he, however, warned that although Pakistan did not want war with any of its neighbours yet if war was thrust on her, every Pakistani … will shed the last drop of blood to defend every inch of the sacred motherland. Mr Bhutto said “this country has not been created to be gifted out to anyone in part or entirety.”

During the course of his … speech … the [PM] said Pakistan was strong enough to meet … any challenge… . He said India and Afghanistan should not take this as a threat. … “We never interfere in the internal affairs of others and expect our neighbours to reciprocate in similar manner.”

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2025