(EDITORIAL) … We are not unaware of the problems that now face the Kashmir Maharaja and his advisors. We know that great pressure is being brought to bear on them by the Indian Hindus to persuade them to join the Hindustan Union. …[T]he Maharaja is doubtless aware what it will mean to him and his State if he lends his ear to such evil pressure and interested advice. …[A]ny realist would … understand how dangerous it would be if that State were to be made virtually part and parcel of Hindustan in the teeth of the opposition of 95 per cent of its people. Under such circumstances widespread popular uprising is only to be expected and the Maharaja can only hope to retain his “throne” through sheer use of military force. We do not see how in such a situation Pakistan can remain an idle spectator.

… The only sensible course for Kashmir is … to join the Pakistan Dominion in which it can retain far greater measure of freedom than it can as an integral part of the other Dominion. If the Maha­raja takes this wise … decision it will not be long before a new sense of friendship and comradeship develops between the Govern­ments and peoples of the two contiguous territories, yielding rich dividends for Kashmir.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2022