KARACHI: The Government of Pakistan, it was … learned in Karachi on Thursday [Nov 10], have accepted the invitation of the South African Government to attend a preliminary discussion on the agenda for a round table conference between Pakistan, India and South Africa. The conference, which is likely to take place in December, will … include items concerning the place and scope of the discussions of the conference.

[Meanwhile,] official circles in Karachi … had no comment to offer on the … report that the “possibility” of sending an invitation to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Liaquat Ali Khan, to visit the [US] was “under the consideration” of the US Government. According to Reuter, President Truman said … that although he had not sent an invitation to Mr Liaquat Ali Khan, the possibility of doing so was “under consideration”. … Later, a State Department spokesman issued the following statement in Washington: “… We should be pleased if mutually satisfactory arrangements could be made for a visit to the United States by the Pakistan Prime Minister. [] This matter is in a preliminary stage and requires detailed consideration.”

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2024