It that all countries except india can on a basis of

it that all countries, except India, can, on a basis of mutual understanding,
achieve a settlement of their differences with others ? Why cannot India ?
That country stands out as the great exception amongst those that arc
seeking to bring about understanding, tranquillity and peace in this region
and in the world.
Recently there have been negotiations for an Air Service Agreement between
Pakistan and China. There have been references to this matter in the press.
This Agreement is likely to be of great commercial importance for us. It will
reduce the air distance between Pakistan and Japan by three to four hours.
Correspondingly it will also reduce the distance of nights from other parts of
the world passing through Pakistan to Tokyo.
In order to be able to extend PIA services to Tokyo, we had asked for landing
rights in Hong Kong. Unfortunately these rights were not granted to us. We
had, therefore, to ask for landing rights in the territory of the People's
Republic of China. Those rights having been granted, we should now be able
to take our air network around the world. I should mention for the

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information of the House that other countries have also asked for transit
rights through the People's Republic of China for their airlines and are ready
to negotiate with it for them.
Before I resume my seat, I should like to say that we realise that the
situation with which we are faced is a grave one. We know that the days
ahead are going to be difficult. I wish to assure the House that we are
making every effort to resolve the situation and to ward off danger to our
national security. In this endeavour, we need the co-operation of the
representatives of the nation here in this Assembly and in the Provincial
Assemblies. At this juncture, nothing -can be a greater source of strength to
the Government than the support of the people. We know that they
appreciate the magnitude of the crisis confronting the country. We believe
that they can and will help their Government to surmount it. We should not
like to see a deterioration of our relations with the Western Powers. However,
it is not for us to take the initiative in this matter, because we are the injured
party; we are the ones who have cause to feel concerned. It is for them to
take the necessary measures—and these measures can be taken—to bring
about a change in the situation which would be in the interest of our mutual
relations.
As far as the question of Kashmir is concerned, it remains the most
important, indeed, the basic issue in Pakistan's foreign policy. This issue is
responsible for the great gulf that divides us and India. It constitutes a grave
problem for the world. Although we have a great stake in it, the stake of the
Kashmiris is the greatest of all. It is nothing short of a tragedy that they are
being denied their right of self-determination. In fact they are the only
people in this region who still suffer under a colonial regime and an