LONDON: Khan Abdul Wali Khan, National Awa­mi Party leader, has vehemently denied the allegation that he favoured the break-up of Pakistan into a “loose-federation” leading to the formation of a “confederation” between Pakistan, Bangla­desh and India. In an interview with this correspondent at his London hotel Khan Wali Khan said that there was no ambiguity about NAP policies on important constitutional and autonomy issues. He supported the statement given in Rawalpindi by Baluchistan Governor Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo that the powers of the Central Government should be confined to foreign affairs, defence, communications and currency.

Asked whether he had met Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Geneva, the NAP leader replied: “I did not even go to Geneva. My flight from Kabul brought me to Germany from where I flew to London… . These allegations about anti-Pakistan conspiracy are baseless. What my party stands for is for early recognition by Pakistan of Bangladesh as a sovereign and independent State. Future links between the two countries are dependent on this basic issue.”

On relations with India, the NAP leader said: “… We would like to see the Simla Agreement implemented, leading to normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan.” — Chief overseas correspondent

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2022