Nation (Freetown)

"Pakistan should forego western economic aid if it is to be used as a lever against Pakistan's national interest. This is the recurring theme of statements by Pakistani political leaders*, editorial comments, articles and letters to editors. Significantly, the demand is coming from leaders of parties always regarded as pro-west. The same is true of a large segment of the press. Left wing leaders had always opposed western aid in its present form. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, chief of the Pakistan Peoples Party at one time even demanded repudiation of foreign debts. Now all are unanimous in urging the government to spurn foreign aid with strings from western countries and galvanise the nation into a massive effort for self- sufficiency mainly through self-reliance. A little belt-tightening, re-shaping of priorities, and assistance from China and affluent Muslim and Arab countries should enable Pakistan to tide over the present economic difficulties, say the opponents of western aid. They believe Pakistan will emerge stronger in the long term if western nations withhold their aid on any plea. They call for full support for the government in withstanding western pressures for a political settlement in East Pakistan that would suit India or western powers alone.

Pakistan is moving towards a political solution of the problem and democratic processes will take their course. But the type of solution and its time will be decided by the dictates of national interests alone-aid or no aid- The Russians-and to some extent the Americans-reacted to events in Pakistan in a way that angered Pakistanis and Britain has become the main target of criticism. Sir Alec Douglas Home's statement that Britain could insist that Pakistan provide a suitable political framework before agreeing to any new economic aid project is regarded as a departure from the British government's previous stand over the matter. But the British press is arousing the most ire. The Pakistani press was traditionally friendly to western countries, particularly Britain, and always gave extensive coverage to British news and views. It seems this is all about to change.

Almost the entire British press is accused here not only of having swallowed Indian propaganda hook, line and sinker, but also of blacking out or playing down Pakistan's side of the case. Pakistanis in Britain are mailing to newspapers here letters putting Pakistan's case sent to British papers but not printed. There is speculation as to whether the British press was encouraged:-tacitly or other-by the British Govern-ment. Some compare it with the Western press campaign against the late President Nasser just before the Suez War.

An ominous note is detected here.

Several letters urged Pakistani papers not to publish anything from or about western countries-particularly Britain except major policy statement. They say more news from China, Iran, Indonesia, Turkey, Arab and other friendly countries should be published. Deep Indian involvement in East Pakistani events seems to have been overlooked by most British commentators. Few have criticised India for arming the secessionists, sending infiltrators and carrying out a virulent propaganda campaign against Pakistan, including calls to East Pakistanis to rebel. Threats by India's top leaders against Pakistan and the current massing of Indian troops along Pakistan's border were not considered worthy of comments by most British editors, say the critics. It is argued that the British press, with its long association with the sub-continent and knowledge of relations between India and Pakistan should have done better.