KARACHI: Amidst unprecedented scenes of splendour and colour in this festive capital city of the new Dominion, the Viceroy, Lord Louis Mountbatten addressed this morning [Aug 14] the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan a Dominion, fifth largest in the world with 70 million inhabitants on the eve of its attaining complete freedom within 14 hours hence.

With numerous jewelled war decorations and orders glittering under the flashlights, Lord Louis Mountbatten who was in his admiral`s uniform delivered his historic speech ... to the full house with galleries packed with high personages, diplomats, world pressmen and prominent citizens.

Qaed-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, President of the Constituent Assembly, led the Viceroy ... to the throne placed along with his presidential chair. ... `May Pakistan prosper always. May her citizens be blessed with health and happiness. May learning and the arts of peace flourish in her boundaries, and may she continue in friendship with her neighbours and with all the nations of the world,` said Lord Mountbatten... .

Paying tribute to Qaed-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the Viceroy stated: `Our close personal contact and the mutual trust and understanding that have grown out of it, are, I feel, the best of omens for future good relations. He has my sincere good wishes as your new governor-general..

[Meanwhile, it was reported from Lahore that,] The three Radio Stations in Pakistan Lahore, Peshawar and Dacca will be taken over by the Pakistan Broadcasting service at midnight tonight [Aug 13]. Dawn Delhi