TASHKENT: An uncommonly colourful and boisterous welcome was accorded to President Ayub Khan when he arrived here this afternoon [Jan 3] for talks on Kashmir and other aspects of the Indo-Pakistan conflict with Premier Shastri, which will be opened by Premier Kosygin tomorrow morning.

Premier Kosygin, Foreign Minister Gromyko, Defence Minister Marshal Malinovsky, were among the many Soviet Government leaders who greeted President Ayub Khan when he arrived at Tashkent airport. The Uzbekistan Government’s party of welcome was headed by Madam Nasseredinova, head of Uzbek Republic.

Under a pleasant winter sun, reflected by the nearby snow-covered hills, hundreds of thousands of men, women and children gathered along the route to President Ayub Khan’s villa on the outskirts of Tashkent to give him a tumultuous welcome. The streets of Tashkent were decorated with Soviet Uzbek and Pakistani Flags and banners applauding Soviet-Pakistan friendship, peace between India and Pakistan and welcoming President Ayub.

[Agencies add,] President Ayub Khan received a glittering, red-carpet welcome and a mass popular greeting marked great warmth and sympathy today when he arrived in Tashkent. Stepping out of his PIA Boeing, President Ayub Khan (in a light black overcoat and Astrakhan Jinnah cap) made a friendly gesture to the crowds, literally filling every available space on the tarmac and on the vast terraces of the airport.

PIA’s Boeing carrying the President and his entourage, touched down here in bright sunshine. The fact that during this century the winter in Tashkent has never been so warm may be a good omen for the parleys which begin here tomorrow.

Premier Kosygin was the first to receive the President amidst lusty cheers by a large crowd. A dozen pretty girls presented bouquets to the President. The Premier later introduced Soviet dignitaries to the President before he took the salute presented by a smartly turned out detachment and inspected the guard of honour.

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2016