Pakistan's problems
Sir: In a long letter (The Spectator, September 14) refuting certain statements in an article by Mr Nayar, the Press Counsellor of the Pakistan Embassy relies heavily on the chronology of certain events in the sub-continent since December 1971 (when Bangladesh came into existence).
His chronology is faulty in at least one particular. He says that the language controversy in Sind "was settled amicably in March 1972." In point of fact the language riots in Sind province took place in July 1972. They were sparked off by the action of the Sind provincial assembly, reconstituted after Bhutto came to power, in rushing through a Bill making Sind an official language in the province — which greatly alarmed the Urdu speakers, who are in a majority in Karachi. It is thought by many that Bhutto could have prevented this happening.
'The riots lasted for about a week. During this time a 24-hour curfew was in force, lifted only for a couple of hours • each day. According to Outlook, a very well-informed Karachi weekly which 1 understand has now been suppressed by Bhutto, the chief credit for the amicable settlement belongs to a Baluchi leader of stature named Bizenjo. 1 understand this gentleman has been imprisoned by Bhutto.
As to the reference by the Press Counsellor to "the shouts of 'Long live Pakistan' raised vociferously by the multitude of Muslim Bengalis when Mr Bhutto arrived in Dacca in June 1974," this is typical of the refusal of mar13.7 Pakistanis, brainwashed by years 01 censorship, to believe that the Bengalis really wanted to break away from Pakistan, or that they had any good reason for wanting to do so. Since I might some day wish to revisit my many friends in Karachi, and have no wish to be declared persona non grata by Bhutto, 1 sign myself (as I did when I wrote letters to Outlook).
A Britisher Name and address supplied
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