KARACHI: A stern warning that Pakistan would not survive provincialism, was administered in the Constituent Assembly on Friday [Dec 30] by the Prime Minister, Mr Liaquat Ali Khan. The warning was contained in Mr Liaquat Ali Khan’s crushing reply to the debate during the second reading of the Bill to authorise the Constituent Assembly to frame rules to fill up the seven West Punjab seats, and one extra seat allotted to Sind in the House. The Bill was unanimously passed. … “To me the interest of Pakistan as a whole is the interest of every province constituting it.” — Staff correspondent

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies in New Delhi,] the Government of India today [Dec 30] announced India’s recognition of Communist China. … A … communique issued by the Ministry of External Affairs says: “In October last, the Government of India received a communication from the [Chinese] Foreign Ministry … expressing their desire to enter into diplomatic relations with India… . Having considered this communication … the Government of India have intimated to the new Government of China their willingness to establish diplomatic relations with them”.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2024