LONDON: Notwithstanding the British government’s assurances to the contrary, the exports to Europe of Pakistan and other Asian members of the Commonwealth, especially cotton textiles and manufactured goods, may suffer the same fate as the products of countries like Australia and Canada.

So serious a view is taken of this danger to Pakistan’s trade (and its repercussions upon the economic development of the country) by President Ayub Khan’s regime that Minister for Industries Abdul Kasem Khan is to begin a tour of Britain and the European Common Market countries next week.

It is believed that he will seek assurances concerning the future of Pakistan’s trade with Britain and continental Europe during his visits to the various European capitals.

Following the recent agreement in Brussels between the British and Euromart negotiators that Britain would apply the full Common Market tariff on manufactured products from Australia, Canada and New Zealand, it is now feared that Britain may also agree to apply the full 18 per cent import duty on cotton textiles from India, Pakistan and Hong Kong. — London Correspondent

Trouble in Kabul

PESHAWAR: A major plot to overthrow Kabul’s royal family has been uncovered by Russian intelligence agents operating in Afghanistan. — Agencies