BARISAL: Settlement of the Kashmir issue was closely linked up with the maintenance of world peace, said Mr Liaquat Ali Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan, addressing a crowded meeting here yesterday [Oct 16]. The only manner in which Pakistan could agree to the solution of the issue was a fair, impartial and democratic verdict of the people of Kashmir, he added, for Pakistan would never agree to the annexation of Kashmir by force by India.

In the course of his speech the Prime Minister reassured the minorities that they had nothing to fear about their future in Pakistan but at the same time they must be loyal to the State. [He] said that such loyalty should not be merely observed formally, but should be without any mental reservation and the minorities should not only consider Pakistan to be their own state but should be prepared to make every sacrifice if required to defend the integrity of the State.

Without such wholehearted loyalty the minorities could not claim equal rights of citizenship with the other communities. He said attempts had been made to mislead the minorities about the future constitution… .

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2024