RAWALPINDI: Government’s decision to merge the three frontier States in West Pakistan is being warmly hailed by people from various walks of life. A large number of telegrams were received today [July 29] in offices of newspapers and news agencies from prominent citizens of the States congratulating President Yahya on his bold step.

In Rawalpindi, Mr Khursheed Hasan Meer, Chairman, Pakistan People’s Party, Rawalpindi, welcoming the decision, said it goes to the credit of all the previous Governments that Chitral, Dir and Swat continued as separate princedoms long after the people of Pakistan had achieved independence from foreign rulers, and the people of these States were denied even the elementary political rights. Lately, ex-President Ayub Khan, he recalled, had raised the status of the Ruler of Swat and given him the title of His Highness. This was a case of gross nepotism, the PPP leader remarked. ... He demanded that the Government of Pakistan should fulfil another demand of the people and constitute a thorough inquiry into the appropriation of revenues of the State, especially the income from the forests and the disposal of emerald mines.

In Karachi, two Pakhtoon writers Mr Saleem Raz and Mr Rahim Dad Shah Sati have welcomed the announcement. ... They demanded that the special position of the State of Hunza should also be finished off. — Agency

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2019