LAHORE: The West Punjab Governor, by the issue of a fresh Ordinance today [Sept 10], repealed his previous ordinance … imposing restrictions on the removal of assets by banks from the West Punjab and providing for the requisitioning of ownerless houses and utilisation of locked-up stocks of commodities and foodstuffs. … With a view to preserving evacuee property and carrying on evacuee undertakings and businesses in contemplation of the return of owners, the West Punjab Evacuee Property (Preservation) Ordinance, 1947, provides for the appointment of custodian of Evacuee Property of a rank not lower than that of a judge of a High Court.

[It was also reported from Lahore that] The total number of Muslim refugees who have arrived from the East Punjab into the West Punjab up to date has reached the huge figure of 12 lakhs and almost one-half of this number has already been absorbed into the economic life of this province, mostly on agricultural land, says a Press note issued today [Sept 9] by the West Punjab Government. … The speed of evacuation will go up still further in the very near future under the schemes of moving big convoys on foot.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2022