KARACHI: ThePrime Minister, Mr Zulfikar Ali Bhutto ... disclosed that Pakistan, which was `unwaveringly and uncompromisingly` committed to the Arab cause, was extending to the Arabs `tangible` support which he declared as `more than political`. He, however, parried persistent queries by newsmen as to the nature and scope of such support for, what he said [were] reasons of critical exigencies of war and in public interest.
Mr Bhutto was addressing a ... press conference ... in Karachi following his return from a whirlwind tour of Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. He said his mission had helped in forging a united ... approach towards the Middle East crisis. He took exception to a newsman`s query whether his visit ... was under pressure from a Super-Power to serve the latter`s interest. He declared that Pakistan being a sovereign State, had taken a `responsible and mature` position vis-à-vis the Middle East conflict, adding that the term `pressure` was nowhere to be found `in my political dictionary`. ... To another question he replied that just as the United States` support to Israel was not `a new development`, so had Pakistan`s espousal of the Arab cause been consistent since 1948.
