Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, told interviewers here last week his country would have to make drastic changes in its internal and foreign policies in the wake of the Indian‐ Pakistani conflict that was then rapidly approaching its climax. “We are now really at the end of the road,” Mr. Bhutto said. “We have to begin anew.”

A fresh start is obviously imperative for Pakistan where years of authoritarian military rule have brought defeat and dismemberment to the nation and disgrace to the regime. But Mr. Bhutto's call for reappraisal is almost equally pertinent for all of the parties involved, encompassing significantly five of the six most populous nations on earth. A new era has opened on the Indian subcontinent which will require revised policies on the part of all concerned.

Reports from Islamabad indicate that Mr. Bhutto, who is leader of the majority political party in West Pakistan, will have an early opportunity to try to effect the kinds of sweeping changes he broadly outlined here last week. The restoration of democracy and the institution of broad social reforms would certainly be welcomed by most Pakistanis, long restive under the autocratic rule of the military, and by their friends abroad.

The most challenging immediate task facing any new Pakistani leadership, however, will be to persuade a war indoctrinated people to accept the loss of East Pakistan, which Mr. Bhutto was reluctant to concede, and to seek friendship and new ties with the secessionist leaders, including the still imprisoned Sheik Mujibur Rahman, and with India. The exuberant Bengalis would be extremely foolish to rebuff such overtures if they are forthcoming.

Sober celebrations in New Delhi may reflect a prudent realization there that victory brings a host of new problems as well as advantages. It is in India's own interest to extricate her forces from East Bengal as soon as a stable indigenous government can be established there and to explore new avenues of cooperation not only between India and “Bangladesh,” but between India end Pakistan as well. A more liberal Indian policy in respect to Kashmir would immensely help such an under taking. It is also in India's long‐term interest to foster reconciliation between Islamabad and Dacca.

The Indians have already indicated an urgent desire is restore good relations with the United States, possibly to help reduce their new heavy dependence on the Soviet Union. Washington should grasp this opportunity to recover from the disaster of a policy that has been unwisely biased on the side of the discredited regime in Islamabad. Generous support for the enormous tasks of reconstruction that now face India, Pakistan and “Bangladesh” would go far toward rebuilding the com promised American position on the subcontinent.

Although Moscow has gained impressive military and diplomatic advantages through its dogged support for India, the Soviet Union cannot be altogether comfortable with the costly new commitments and responsibilities it has acquired. The Russians, whose interests in the sub continent are related primarily to their rivalry with China, share an interest with the United States in checking further strife and promoting stability there.

Even the humiliated Chinese may prefer a period of peace on their southwestern borders at a time when Peking is preoccupied with fresh domestic troubles and new initiatives abroad.