Pakistan official gives a new view of revolt

Press, 7 December 1976, Page 34

Pakistan official gives a new view of revolt

A revolt in Pakistan earlier this year is said to have been inspired by reactionary forces, •‘from whose clutches the Government had tried to liberate the poor masses.” This description of rebellion is contained i letter to "The Press m the press attache ol me Pakistan Embassy in Canberra (A. G. Shahbaz). The letter criticises what it calls an exaggerated account of the incident printed in "The Press” on November 2, received through Reuters.

The article reported that about 250 people in the north-west frontier district of Dir had been killed in fighting between Government troops and mountain tribesmen. Thousands of tribesmen were still angry and embittered after the 10-day revolt was crushed by jet fighter aircraft, tanks and more than 10,000 troops, it said. The uprising had brought to a climax "smouldering resentment” against a Government take-over of valuable timber forests.

The embassy’s letter said that the incident had resulted in the death of 62 persons, and not 250 as reported.

"It is most regrettable that even this number of people should have lost their lives. As pointed out by Prime Minister Bhutto, the Government would have frankly apologised to people, if it were at fault.”

Although the newspaper article had also said that the Pakistan Government had suppressed news of the uprising, the embassy’s letter said there had been no question of that. The press in Pakistan had reasonable access to information, and enjoyed unfettered and full freedom.

The Government had abolished the “muchhated” feudal system (Nawab) and the “harsh” Frontier Crimes Regulations, said the letter. It

had opened schools, colleges, and hospitals, and undertaken drinking-w'ater and irrigation schemes. “The vested interests, capitalists, and agents of the deposed Nawab had realised that with this

change in the area, their age-old influence would end once and for all. What actually happened in Dir had been inspired by these elements,” said the letter. “Those who plotted this incident had indulged in political immorality.”