NEW YORK: In a statesmanlike move for peace with India on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Organisation, President Yahya Khan today [Oct 22] offered demilitarisation of Kashmir by both Pakistan and India so that the people of the disputed State can freely determine its future status.

Addressing the Commemorative Session of the UN General Assembly the President said: “The dispute concerning Jammu and Kashmir has twice led to armed conflict. What an immense contribution to world peace and progress could be made by the 650 million people of our two countries if only we would achieve an honourable and just solution of our outstanding problems.

“Despite frustration of all efforts made so far to resolve the dispute, it is not too late to make a fresh move towards peace ... I take this opportunity to make an offer to India. Let us move towards peace by holding discussions about withdrawal of forces by both India and Pakistan from Kashmir so that its people are enabled to decide their future without any constraint or coercion from outside.”

The President coupled his offer with the proposal made by him in July 1969 for establishment of a “self-executing machinery to settle all Indo-Pakistan disputes as concomitant of a no-war pact”.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2020