DAWN EDITORIAL: Today the nation will celebrate the Defence of Pakistan Day to pay homage to the memory of the great heroes who laid down their lives in the sacred cause of defending their homeland. This day we recall with pride the inspiring valour and outstanding skill of our brave soldiers, airmen and seamen who rose to the pinnacle of glory in repelling the forces of aggression and thus wrote a new chapter of glory in the history of Islam.

This day, too, we recall again with deep and abiding gratitude the moral and material support that was extended to us in our great hour of trial by friendly nations, particularly the People’s Republic of China, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, Jordan and Syria. This day two years ago, as the President says in his message, “we were called upon to face a challenge to our existence as an independent nation, and Allah be praised we proved our mettle. The experience endowed the nation with a sense of renewed confidence and greater solidarity”.

[Meanwhile, according to agencies from Aden,] Britain today [Sept 5] officially called on the nationalist forces to take over the Government of South Arabia.

The British High Commissioner, Sir Humphrey Trevelyan, who returned here today from urgent talks in London, said the South Arabian Federal Government has ceased to function and no longer exercises control.

“It is urgently necessary that a Government should take power,” he said.

Discussions, he added, would include recognition of an effective nationalist Government, imp­lementation of the United Nations resolutions on South Arabia and withdrawal of British forces.

Saying he recognised the “nationalist forces” as representatives of the people and wanted to talk with them as soon as possible, Sir Humphrey said he would be glad to meet leaders of the National Liberation Front (NLF).

Sir Humphrey did not mention the NLF’s rival Front for the Liberation of Occupied South Yemen (Flosy). Meanwhile, a London announcement said Britain and Saudi Arabia will have direct talks over the next several days on the future of the South Arabian Federation.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2017