RAWALPINDI: The Shah of Iran has expressed a desire to lend his good offices to repair the diplomatic breach between Pakistan and Malaysia, it was learnt here.

The Government of Pakistan is understood to have well received the goodwill gesture by the Shah of Iran.

The Shah of Iran had also intervened when there was a diplomatic rupture between Pakistan and Afghanistan and through his efforts the diplomatic relations were restored.

Pakistan has all along taken the view that it was for Malaysia to repair the breach which had been caused by an unfortunate outburst by the Indian-born Malaysian delegate to the Security Council during its September session when it considered the situation created by the Indian aggression against Pakistan.

The Malaysian delegate, Mr Ramani, had attacked the very basis of Pakistan and outbid the Indians in his references to Pakistan.

Pakistan has maintained that Malaysia must make amends for this diplomatic transgression before diplomatic relations can be restored.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that nothing mentionable has happened so far in connection with the restoration of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Pakistan.

The Shah of Iran is an ardent champion of Islami unity.

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies from Indianapolis (Indiana),] President Johnson today [July 23] expressed the view that People’s China would gradually move towards a policy of peaceful co-existence with the rest of the world.

At the same time, he also reaffirmed the Americans’ intention of continuing the war in Viet-Nam until victory.

In today’s speech, the President insisted that North Viet-Namese leaders had mistaken American peace offers for a sign of weakness “and so they acted”.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2016