Coll 7/38(S) 'Muscat: export of arms and ammunition to the Persian Gulf' [‎5r] (11/18)

COKPID T MIAL . Muscat.
28 20th September, 1949.
(28/9/1/49)
• Sir,
I have the honour to report that the H.M.P.S. '•Jbelum 1 ’
flagship of the Poyal Pakistan Navy, under the command of
Lt-Ccurrander C.S. Ahmad, paid a visit to Uuscat on the 17th
and 18th of this month.
Though the ostensible reason for the visit was the trans
port from Karachi of certain gunpowder belonging to the Muscat
Government, apparently the actual intention was to show the
flag, for which purpose the "Jhelum" has been largely used du
ring the past year. The visit was originally scheduled for
one day only, and calls wer- exchanged between myself and
the Commanding Officer of the M Jhelum” soon after arrival.
I then took Lt-Comrander C.S. Ahmad and his Secretary, Lt-
Commander Maqbul Hussain to call on the Sultan: no provision
for a return call had been made, as His Highness had insisted
that the visit should be treated as semi-formal. However,
during the interview Lt-Commander Ahmad invited His Highness
on board to lunch the following day, saying that he would delay
the departure of the ship especially for the occasion: and
this invitation was accepted.
Fntertainments for the ,, Jhelura ,, included hockey and volley
ball matches against the Muscat State Infantry, a tea party
given at the Consulate Club by the Pakistani Community for
the officers and local notables, and a dinner party at the
Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. for senior officers and members of the Royal Family.
In return, a cinema show was given on board and the ship thrown
open to the public from 8 to 1C on the following day. The
luncheon party for His Highness was, in accordance with his
wishes, informal, being attended by Mr. Woods-Ballard, Saiyid
Faher and myself, and although the ship was dressed, a salute
was fired only at the Sultan*s departure.
The visit was successful and surprisingly ppular not only
with the Pakistani community but also with the general populace.
Lt-Commander Ahmad, however, had one complaint to make, the re
fusal of the Muscatis to accept Pakistani money from his men
on shore. Arrangements were made for ordinary rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. to be
changed for Pakistani rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. at this Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. , but the grievance
unfortunately remained, as all officers clearly felt it invol
ved a question of national prestige and the favouring of India
at the expense of Pakistan. This was not, however, mentimed
in the full description of the visit put over the Pakistan
Radio the next day.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
R.McC. Andrew.
# Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Muscat.
H.E. the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency.
in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
Bahrain.
: ^