NEW DELHI: Pakistan-Bharat discussions which entered the third day today [April 4] have covered the question of instituting a machinery in East Pakistan, West Bengal and Assam, charged with the task of implementing the general understanding … reached between the two Governments concerning the well-being … of the minorities in either country, it is learned. Mr Liaquat Ali Khan and Mr Nehru met for over an hour-and-a-half this afternoon. This meeting was followed by a conference between Mr Nehru and his Cabinet colleagues. In the evening the President of Bharat, Dr Rajendra Prasad, received Mr Liaquat Ali Khan. The meeting lasted nearly 45 minutes… . Talks between Mr Liaquat Ali Khan and Mr Nehru will be resumed tomorrow… .

Mr Patel is expected to meet the Pakistan Prime Minister tomorrow. … [T]he machinery whose constitution, scope and functions are … under consideration is said to form an important part of [the] general agreement on … minorities… . Present indications are that … West Bengal, East Pakistan and Assam will set up bodies … [with] representatives of the majority and minority communities in their respective provinces. — News agencies

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2025