LYALLPUR: President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto today [Nov 27] announced his government’s unilateral decision to release all Indian prisoners of war immediately, and without any condition — in order to fulfil its obligations under the Geneva Conventions and the Security Council resolutions of December, 1971. The President flew to Lyallpur this morning to visit the Indian POWs’ camp, where he told them at a simple ceremony that they were now free to go to their homes, and be happy with their families.

The Indian POWs — 617 in all, including 17 officers and 18 JCOs — enthusiastically clapped as the President told them that it was not fair to keep prisoners of war as hostages after the war was over. — Special Representative

[Meanwhile], Mr. Pothan Joseph, the first Editor of daily “Dawn”, Delhi, died in Bangalore, on Nov. 2, according to a delayed message... . He was 81. Mr. Joseph, an Indian Christian, was born and educated in Travancore. Although he did his Bar-at-Law, he did not take up law as a profession, but became a journalist instead, and rose to become an editor whose opinion was heard with respect. Mr. Joseph became associated with the cause of the Indian Muslims which he supported vigorously when he became Editor of “Star of India” of Calcutta, an influential mouthpiece of the Muslims.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2022