RAWALPINDI: President Ayub [on March 23] declared amidst thunderous applause by over half a million people that the right of self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir was the real source of friction between India and Pakistan and unless and until the Kashmir dispute was resolved equitably, no lasting peace could be established between the two countries.

India, he said, should realise that unless peace with justice and honour is established, both the countries would have to continue to waste their limited resources on armaments.

Addressing a magnificent ceremonial parade by the defence forces — Army, Navy and Air Force at the sprawling race course ground — President Ayub paid rich tributes to the three Services on their courage and valour demonstrated during the September war with India when Pakistan was subjected to unprovoked aggression.

The President said that the nation discovered itself during this war and everyone began to feel rightly proud in calling himself a Pakistani.

[Meanwhile, as reported from the United Nations,] the U.N. Decolonisation Committee on Tuesday [March 22] night adopted by 19 votes to three, with two abstentions, the resolution calling on Britain to halt its repressive measures against the population of Aden.

The resolution also “deplored” mass arrests which British authorities were recently said to have carried out on Aden territory and asked UN Secretary-General Thant to inform Britain of the “deep concern” of the Decolonisation Committee towards the worsening of the Aden situation.

The resolution arose out of telegrams from nine former Ministers of the Aden Government sacked by Britain, who protested against “mass arrests” by the British authorities in Aden.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2016