DAWN.COM

Today's Paper | May 04, 2024

Published 08 Aug, 2012 12:00am

India will have to free Kashmir

QUETTA: President Mohammad Ayub Khan declared here today that no nation could keep another under subjugation for long; ultimately freedom has to be granted; that, he said, is a hard fact of history. Algerians’ successful struggle against the French might was a recent instance.

Addressing a representative gathering of tribal chiefs of Quetta and Kalat divisions on the occasion of President’s Darbar, Field Marshal Ayub Khan said that Mr Nehru too could have to bow to the course of history and ultimately would have to concede the right of self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Amidst applause the President reiterated Pakistan’s determination to continue the struggle for securing the right of self-determination for the four million Kashmiris. Mr Nehru, he said, was ignoring the facts of history if he thought he could rule Kashmiris with the help of bayonets.

Referring to Afghanistan, the President expressed grief over Kabul’s attitude. Pakistan, he said, had all along pursued a policy of peace and brotherhood. Pakistan, he said, had always been anxious to be friendly with all countries particularly with its neighbours and more particularly with Muslim nations. But it was a matter of regret that Afghanistan never appreciated Pakistan’s feelings and gestures and Kabul’s attitude had been painful all along.—Staff Correspondent

Muslim States’ C’wealth THE Prime Minister of Malayan Federation, Tengku Abdul Rahman, said yesterday that he had not given up the hope of establishing the Commonwealth of Muslim countries. He said he had not received any response from the Muslim countries, except Pakistan, to his proposal.... But, he added, “I ... hope that it will be achieved, gradually.”

The Prime Minister ... was talking to newsmen at the Karachi Airport on his arrival from London ... along with the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew….

Tengku Abdul Rahman pointed out that the Association of South-East Asian countries comprising Malaya, the Philippines and Thailand, was an example of such cooperation....—Staff Correspondent

Read Comments

Pakistan's 'historic' lunar mission to be launched on Friday aboard China lunar probe Next Story