RAWALPINDI: Foreign Secretary Agha Shahi said today [Dec 11] Pakistan wanted that not only should the Indian Ocean be free from the military presence of the nuclear weapon Pow­ers but there should also be an equilibrium in the Indian Ocean region. A naval ratio should be reached by agreement among the Indian Ocean countries, he said in a radio interview. Asked about the Pakistan resolution passed by the UN General Asse­m­bly and the necessary steps now to be taken by the Secretary-Gen­eral, he said: “Pakistan sho­­­uld of course ask the Secretary-General to act immediately in accordance with the Pakis­tan resolution, which is to take soundings among the ... countries of South Asia about the most appropriate time for a meeting … to consider the establishment of a nuclear weapon-free zone in South Asia.” — News agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from Rangoon,] the Burmese Government ... declared martial law in Rangoon and placed the city under curfew following ... destruction and looting … by what it called lawless elements. A [government] statement … said the emergency situation in the ... capital was prompted “by mob rule which had become widespread”.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2024