"ملف ٨/٣ شؤون دولة مسقط: العلاقات بين جوادر وقلات - بيع جوادر" [و‎‎٩] (٦٠/١٧)

SAVINGRAM
From; The High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in
Pakistan.
To: Commonwealth Relations Office, London.
No.145 SAVING ,
Dated 18th February, 1948
CONFIDENTIAL y . ! , 3
Following for Donaldson. My Savingram No.39.
I understand that question of Gwadur was not raised by
Khan of Kalat with Governor-General during latter’s visit to
^ Baluchistan and that subject was only mentioned casually by one
of Khan's officials to member of Governor-General's staff.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs consider it very unlikely that either
the Khan or Nawab Bai Khan Gichki would attempt to seize Gwadur
by force, although the Khan would undoubtedly be glad to purchase
it from the Sultan in the improbable event of the latter being •
^ willing to sell.
2 . I understand that cause of present dispute between the
Gichki Nawab and the Khan is the former's reluctance to continue
payment of half the revenues of Mekran to the Khan in return for
the latter's protection against externil aggression and internal
dissension. The Nawab apparently considers that the price paid
for the Khan's protection is too high, particularly in view of
Mekran's oil producing prospects. He is now in Karachi, bbt is
J unlikely to receive any encouragement from the Pakistan Government
pending Kalat's decision on accession. Should Kalat Assembly in
forthcoming Session decide against acceding to the Dominion, it
is conceivable that the Pakistan Government might then accept direct
accession of both Las Bela and Keran, and also institute direct
relations with the Gichki Nawab, whose territories lie between thes«
States now under the Khan's suzerainty. But although Ministry of
Foreign Affairs are cautious in expressing opinion as to result of
Kalat Assembly's deliberations on accession issue, it seems probabl<
that decision will be in favour of acceding to Pakistan.
GRAFFTEY SMITH.
REPEAT No.l SAVING, Political Resident
in the Persian Gulf.
'LB'