NEW DELHI: The High Commissioner in India, Mr Arshad Hussain, today [March 27] walked out of a civic reception arranged by the Delhi Municipal Corporation in honour of President Mohammed Aref of Iraq, in protest against disparaging remarks of the Mayor about Pakistan. The Mayor, Mr Nuruddin Ahmad, in his welcome speech spoke in derogatory terms about the Pakistan Movement and its leaders. The Mayor, who was evidently reading from a prepared text, went out of his way to use invectives against Pakistan.

The English rendering of his Urdu speech which was circulated among the guests accompanying the Iraqi President and diplomatic representatives, did not, however, contain these references. The Mayor also urged the visiting President to persuade Pakistan to stop what he called the hate-India campaign. He also sympathised with what he described as the democratic struggle of the people of Pakistan.

Before walking out, the High Commissioner for Pakistan lodged a protest verbally with the Indian Chief of Protocol.