“PAKISTAN is prepared to accept the condition that Indian troops should withdraw from Kashmir after the tribesmen have withdrawn. But withdraw they must.” This declaration was made by Sir Mohammad Zafrullah Khan, Pakistan Foreign Minister, at a Press conference on Wednesday [Sept 8] when he gave a brilliant 90-minute exposition of Pakistan’s case in the Kashmir dispute. While he tore Pandit Nehru’s arguments to pieces, Sir Zafrullah refused to emulate the former’s language.

Explaining why India objected to withdrawal of its troops from Kashmir, the Foreign Minister said that Pandit Nehru was today convinced that any plebiscite held under impartial authority in Kashmir would go against his country. That was the reason why he insisted that the plebiscite should be held under Abdullah’s authority and only “the observation” of the United Nations. And Nehru wanted the Indian troops to remain in Kashmir to terrorise the people from expressing their free will. That was why India refused to withdraw her troops even after the tribesmen and Pakistan troops had withdrawn.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2023