COPY
POL. 11215/49.
16
OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER
FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUILDING,
WOOD STREET
KARACHI.
17th February, 1949.
Reference No. 608
(8).
Dear Gibson,
'Tos'
Will you please refer to your letter No. Pol.10657/49 of the 2nd February 1949, in which you asked about the reasons underlying the recent decision of the Pakistan Government to ban the further recruitment of Pakistanis for the Hong Kong Police Force.
2. We now learn from a reliable source in the Pakistan Government that the Cabinet's decision was due to their feeling that, in view of the disturbed conditions now generally prevalent in Asia, the police in places like Hong Kong and Singapore are bound, sooner or later, to come into conflict with the local population. They consider, therefore, that it would not only cause embarrassment, but also reflect discredit on the name of Pakistan, if they permitted their nationals to serve in police forces in other Asiatic territories, where they might perhaps be compelled, should commotions arise, to open fire on the local inhabitants.
3. We understand that there is virtually no prospect of the Cabinet's decision being reconsidered in the foresee- able future.
4. Copies of this letter are being sent to Hong Kong and Aden as well as New Delhi.
Yours sincerely,
(Sgd.) R. P. Heppel.
J. P. Gibson, Esq.,
Political Department,
Commonwealth Relations Office,
King Charles Street,
LONDON, S.W.1.
RCCH/DW/7