ISLAMABAD: United Nations Secretary-General has reiterated that the developments in East Pakistan were purely internal affairs of Pakistan and that the return of refugees was being hampered by Indian infiltrators.

The Secretary-General in his introduction to the report on the work of the organisation, details of which are available now, said: “while the civil strife in itself is an internal affair of Pakistan, some of the problems generated by it are necessarily of concern to the international community”.

In the present case, he said, there is an element of danger for the crisis if unfolding in the context of the long-standing and unresolved difficulties between India and Pakistan....

Although there can be no question of the deep desire of both governments for peace, tension between them shows no sign of subsiding. The situation on the borders of East Pakistan is particularly disturbing, he added. The Secretary-General expressed his deep concern about the possible consequences of this situation. Not only its humanitarian aspect, but also the potential threat to international peace and security.... It seemed, he said, that the situation arising from these situations ... presented a challenge to the United Nations as a whole which must be met. — News agencies

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2021