KARACHI: Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar, Communications Minister, Government of Pakistan, told Pressmen on Wednesday [June 15] that arrangements for the extension of Pakistan’s telegraphic system to Azad Kashmir would shortly be completed. Sardar Sahib stated that proposals to link up Pakistan with the rest of Azad Kashmir telegraphically and also to chart out a route for the despatch of mail by surface from Muzaffarabad to Gilgit were discussed by him with the Azad Kashmir Government and the West Punjab postal authorities.

The Communications Minister ... said that the move of sending the Maharaja out of Kashmir and installing his son in his place was only directed by the Indian Government to throw dust in the eyes of the Kashmiris. … Sardar Nishtar stated that the food situation in Azad Kashmir was improving ... as more supplies were being moved into the state.

On the other hand, he disclosed that the conditions in the Indian-held part of Kashmir were getting worse... . “The food position is acute and the whole Muslim population is under constant oppression by the Indian military authorities.”

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2024