In the administrative services, among engineers, technicians and others there were a fairly large number of Muslims in West Pakistan and many of those who came from the minority Provinces of India were perhaps, if I may say so, more easily assimilated hen. Therefore the economy of West Pakistan-though in an undeveloped state and though disrupted by the conditions I have described-was in a stronger position, Also a number of schemes like Malakand Hydro-electric Project, the Lower Sind Barrage Project, the Rasool Hydro-electric Project had already reached a very advanced stage of planning and were even in the process of execution. Banking, commerce, industry also were at the time of partition in a more advance state in West Pakistan. Higher taxation in West Pakistan at the time of partition is also indicative, to some extent; of the difference in the level of the two economics-taxation both Central and Provincial was about three times as high in West Pakistan as it was in East Pakistan. The disparity is still large enough though not so great now as it was then.
These were the conditions in which the Central Government had to operate. It necessarily had to go by priorities and the first priority, as I have said, was to win economic independence for East Pakistan. The development of the Chittagong Port, the development of jute baling and manufacturing capacity, the organisation of the E.B.R. all uses tasks were taken in hand first of all. The re-organisation of the Armed Forces could only be accomplished where there were Cantonments, Ordnance and supplydepots, etc., and the re-organisation of the Armed Forces was a matter of the highest importance for the State. Let us remember that we got bits and pieces of Units, True, most of the preparation army was stationed in what is now known as West Pakistan. That had been happening over a whole century as a result of strategic requirements. There were no Cantonments and no facilities for the re-organisation of the Armed Forces in East Pakistan. One must view all these factors objectively. Objectivity is essential for only men can one get a true understanding of the actual state of affairs existing at the time. It is true that development in West Pakistan has been more rapid than in East Pakistan. But it is completely untrue to say that East Pakistan has been impoverished and that in it is a poorer state than it was at the time of partition.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (East Bengal: Muslim): The facts are there.
The Honorable Mr. Mohammad Ali: It has developed not at the same rate as West Pakistan but it has made, In my humble opinion, very considerable progress.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: No progress.
The Honorable Mr, Mohammad Ali: A great deal more needs to be done and we are determined to do it. We are determined to raise the rate of development in East Pakistan so as to bring it to parity with West Pakistan. It is essential that every part of the country be developed uniformly.
An Honorable Member: Have it in the Constitution,
Honorable Deputy Speaker: Please be quiet.
