MONTGOMERY: A committee has been set up to work out plans for giving to refugees as much of land as they left behind in India, announced Mr Nasim Hassan, Adviser Education and Rehabilitation to the West Punjab Governor, at a largely attended meeting sponsored by the City Muslim League here yesterday [Nov 22]. The Adviser further announced that a decision was likely to be made in the near future on waiving house rent for the refugees and giving semi-permanent right of ownership, provided of course the refugees furnished proofs of owning immovable property in prescribed areas in India.

Referring to the reduction in water rate tax, the Adviser said that the budget position was being reexamined in the light of the suggestion of giving relief to the refugees. Talking of the Public Safety Act, the Adviser continued that the Safety Acts were promulgated to protect the country against treasons, sabotage and espionage. The League, he said, stood for civil liberties, but it was impossible to allow license to disruptionists and saboteurs, he added.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2024