KOHAT: …Mr Liaquat Ali Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan, declared here today [Dec 8]: “No matter what the cost Kashmir cannot be allowed to be taken away by force. Geographically, economically and culturally Kashmir’s association with Pakistan is as indispensable for the existence of Pakistan as any other part of Pakistan.” Referring to Mr Nehru’s repeated declaration that India and Pakistan should declare that they would not resort to arms … to settle their mutual disputes, Mr Liaquat Ali Khan said: “Mr Nehru’s words do not tally with his actions. Mere reiteration of a declaration, however pious in its meanings, will not suffice.

“What is needed from the Indian Prime Minister is his translation of these words into practice. Only a fool would go to war without adequate cause… .”

Mr Liaquat Ali Khan invited Mr Nehru, if he really wanted to avoid conflict, to remove its basic cause. What he called [the] “running sore of Kashmir” can be cured only through a free and fair plebiscite. Pakistan desires a peaceful settlement only through plebiscite so that the people of Kashmir can decide freely whether to accede to Pakistan or to India.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2024