RAWALPINDI: President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto has said that Pakistan and Afghanistan can usher in an era of fraternal relations in a spirit of friendship and understanding to the mutual benefit of the two peoples. In an interview with the daily “Karavan” of Kabul, he said Pakistan and Afghanistan can develop their relations and co-operation in all fields as good neighbours respecting each other’s sovereignty and independence. …[T]he President said Pakistan was prepared immediately to improve economic and cultural ties beyond the stage that has already been reached through mutual co-operation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

[Meanwhile, news agencies add from Rawal­pindi] The Indian troops suffered over 200 casualties in the recent full-scale attack launched by them in the Lipa valley… . The Pakistan Army … suffered “light casualties” including 20 killed, 31 wounded and three missing. … A complaint was lodged with the UN observers group. A similar protest was lodged on hot line with the Indian Army General Headquarters. … However, the Indian Army authorities have been avoiding discussions on these disputes on the plea that they are not allowing UN observers to operate and hence cannot allow them to be present during discussion.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2022