KARACHI/ NEW DELHI: A `cease-fire` has been ordered in Kashmir to take effect from one minute before midnight of January 1, 1949, it was officially announced in a communique simultaneously released in Karachi and New Delhi yesterday (Saturday) [Jan 1].

The Governments of Pakistan and India, in making this announcement, express the hope that `this decision which is being implemented on the first day of the new year may bring to the people of Jammu and Kashmir lasting peace and to the peoples of Pakistan and India a sense of closer friendship`.

The `cease-fire` agreement followed the acceptance by the two Governments of the proposals made by Dr Alfredo Lozano of the UNCIP, which `dealt with certain principles to govern the holding of a plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir after certain conditions had been fulfilled`. Dr Lozano, who has returned to New York, will report to the UNCIP which is expected to meet again on January 3 and an announcement is expected shortly. While awaiting this formal announcement the Governments of India and Pakistan authorized their respective C-in-Cs to enter into formal arrangements for a cease-fire.