Address at Dir on November 18, 1972

Addressing a big crowd that greeted him on his arrival at Dir, the President said that objectives for which the people had struggled so hard would soon be achieved. He was there to meet the poor people of the province, because he had come into power with their help and would continue to fight for them to the last.

On their part the people must forge unity of action and purpose, work hard to raise production because only in this way would they increase the Government’s capacity to serve them, the President said. His party had been committed to removing poverty and his Government was working towards that end with grit and determination. The people, he said, had made too many sacrifices for anyone in power to ignore their needs and he would never allow any kind of gulf between the people and their Government.

Recalling his party’s struggle for democracy, the President said that fatwas of kufr had been issued by certain persons but now people can see for themselves how many mosques have been locked up, how many people stopped from offering prayers. He said after coming into power his Government made arrangements to send 80,000 people on Haj and this is a record for any Muslim country.

The President said that elements who were opposing the People’s Party under the cover of Islam really wanted to maintain the system of exploitation. But now a democratic era has begun and steps are being taken to improve the economy of the country. He declared that he would spare no sacrifice for the well-being of the people.

Later, the President met notables of the area. Addressing them he said that he had spent his life fighting against oppressors, he was on the side of the oppressed and would always remain so. His Government would in no circumstances side with the oppressors. He was at war with the oppressors and warned them to behave because the days of excesses and injustices have become a part of the past.

APP and PPI add: The President disclosed that some neighboring Muslim countries were helping Pakistan develop transport and trade routes to connect various parts of the country. He told the tribal elders that opening of new routes was essential for increasing trade and improving the economic conditions in various areas. His Government was also working for provision of electricity to the remotest areas since electricity was “a pillar of development.”

The President praised the work of a doctor serving in Dir. He urged all doctors to serve the rural masses with a humanitarian outlook. The people in rural areas were also brothers and Pakistanis and needed greater attention. But there was tendency for doctors to work in big cities or go abroad. The President said when qualified doctors went out of the country, it was a loss to the people.