LONDON: Pakistani member of the Advisory Committee for BBC immigrants programme, Mr Mohammad Munir, walked out of its meeting in Birmingham last week in protest against the BBC’s refusal to conduct an impartial inquiry into the abusive statement against Pakistan Government made by Indian commentator Mahinder Kaul in a recent television programme. Mahinder Kaul, the Indian commentator, who used the word “bakwaas” concerning Pakistan Government’s statements drawing attention to the Indian aggressive attacks and intervention in East Pakistan appeared in yesterday’s [July 4] programme along with its British head, G. Hynes, to explain that he did not mean to injure the feelings of Pakistanis in Britain. He said that he was only quoting an Indian Government spokesman.

Pakistanis in Britain have taken the view that “bakwaas” was too provocative and abusive a word to be used in a programme designed to promote communal and racial harmony among the immigrants. Pakistani critics of Mahinder Kaul also pointed to his former connection with the Indian propagandist radio in Srinagar and his other links. The BBC management have, however, stood by Kaul and rejected Pakistani immigrants’ demand for an apology and impartial inquiry. — Staff correspondent

Review of bilateral ties with UK

[Meanwhile, as reported by a special representative in Rawalpindi,] The Government of Pakistan are learnt to be taking up a complete review of the unfriendly approach of the British Government towards the problems facing Pakistan. The feasibility of continuing Pakistan’s association with the Commonwealth may also be reviewed in this context….

Meanwhile, the Government of Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with the British Govern­ment against the unceasing attack on Pakistan by the British Parliament, Press, BBC and other information media.... The protest Note … has asked the British Government to take measures to rectify the situation before further harm is done to the relations between the two countries.

Ganges water

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies in Islamabad,] Indian Government have prepared a project to divert waters of River Ganges at a point near Patna into a 2000-mile-long canal linking river Cauvery in Southern India. The project coupled with the barrage at Farakka, will further deprive East Pakistan of its right as Lower Riparian to the Ganges waters.

Ambassador’s rank awarded

[Agencies add from Islamabad,] Raja Saheb of Mahmoodabad, a close lieutenant of the Quaid-i-Azam during the Pakistan Movement, has been given the personal rank of Ambassador by the President. Raja Saheb is currently Director of the Islamic Cultural Centre, London.

The copies for July 1946 and the first 10 days of Aug­­ust 1946 are missing from our archives. The ‘Seventy-five years ago’ section will resume from Aug 11.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2021