From The Past Pages Of Dawn: 1972: Fifty Years Ago: Attack on DAWN.

An official spokesman of the Central Government has ... made a vicious attack on this newspaper and its Editor. It would demean these columns to take serious notice of the foul-mouthed invective used on the personal plane... . However, the vague unspecified allegations about the policy of this newspaper... require refutation. ...

The present policy of this newspaper is perfectly clear; it gives support to those Government policies which, in our opinion, merit support and serve the national interest, and criticises those actions or policies which, in our opinion ... can do harm to the country. ... [I]t is absolutely untrue that this newspaper ... has 'assailed the honour and integrity of the Armed Forces of Pakistan'. ... We ... agree that the Government has a duty to safeguard the integrity of the country and the honour of the Armed Forces; and ... believe that this can best be done by ensuring that...