Letter from the Embassy of Pakistan to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (No.691-F.121/52)

“The Embassy in China present their compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China and have the honour to state that owing to the non-recognition of Pakistan Consulate-General Kashgar, Consular work, including the registration of Pakistan nationals in Sinkiang [Xinjiang], could not be carried out. Consequently the Embassy are not in possession of the number and address of Pakistan nationals still residing in Sinkiang.

2. With the coming into force of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951, the Embassy have also been concerned about the means and best method of drawing the attention of Pakistan nationals residing in Sinkiang to the Pakistan Citizenship Act. It was proposed to publish an advertisement in different Sinkiang newspapers. But it is felt that many of the Pakistan nationals may not be subscribing to the local papers, and many of them may be illiterate. Advertisement in local papers, therefore, would not be an effective method of informing our nationals of the provisions of the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951 – which require registration for and conferment of Pakistan Citizenship. It is understood that the Sinkiang authorities recently carried out a registration for all foreigners in the province of Sinkiang. In order to know the whereabouts of Pakistan nationals in Sinkiang (their names, addresses, professions and any other relevant information available) are supplied to us, so that they could be posted with the provisions of the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951, etc. It may be pointed out that this matter was discussed with the Director of Asiatic Department by the Pakistan Ambassador on 7th March 1952.

The Embassy of Pakistan avail themselves of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China the assurances of their highest consideration.