Introduction
The emergence of Pakistan, after a long and arduous freedom movement,
was infact a great victory of the democratic idea of life. The Indian
Muslims happily and valiantly laid down their lives and properties to
achieve a destination in which they saw the fulfillment of their dreams
of living an independent life free from Hindu and British dominance.
Quaid-e-Azam on 15th August, 1947 said
My thoughts are those valiant fighters in our cause who readily
sacrificed all they had, including their lives to make Pakistan
possible.
Initial Difficulties of Pakistan
From its very inception, Pakistan faced a large number of problems. Some of the initial difficulties were
1. Choice of Capital and Establishment of Government
The first problem that Pakistan had to face was to choose a
capital to form a Government and to establish a secretariat. Karachi was
chosen as the capital of Pakistan. Quaid-e-Azam took the office of the
Governor General, Liaquat Ali Khan was appointed as Prime Minister and a
Cabinet of experienced persons was selected. Arrangements were to be
made to bring the officials who had opted for Pakistan from Delhi to
Karachi.
2. Unfair Boundary Distribution
A boundary commission was set up under a British Chairman,
Sir Cyril Redcliff. He misused his powers and handed over Muslims
majority areas like Gurdaspur, Ferozpur and Junagadh to India hence
providing them a gateway to Kashmir. Quaid-e-Azam called it an unjust,
incomprehensible and even perverse award.
3. The Massacre of Muslim Refugees in India
On the birth of Pakistan, Hindus and Sikhs became more
furious. In a planned move, Muslims properties were set on fire and they
were compelled to leave India for Pakistan with nothing but their
lives. Millions of refugees were killed before they reached Pakistan.
Many migrants were looted and had to be provided boarding immediately as
they reached Pakistan.
4. Division of Military and Financial Assets
In order to embarrass Pakistan financially, India did a lot
of honesty in the matters of Pakistan which were concerned with its
benefits. Pakistan was promised to get Rs. 750 million but the Indian
Government refused to give. Pakistan received only 200 million. Pakistan
also did not receive the due share of the military assets. This
dishonest attitude put Pakistan into great difficulties.
5. Canal Water Dispute
Most of the rivers flowing in Pakistan have their origin in
India. In 1948, India stopped water supply to Pakistani canals to damage
the Pakistani agriculture. However on 9th September, 1960 on agreement
called Indus Basin Treaty was signed between the two countries.
6. Kashmir Dispute
Kashmir dispute is the most important and unsolved problem. Kashmir is
the natural part of Pakistan because at the time of partition 85% of the
Kashmir’s total population was Muslim. The Hindu Dogra Rule, who was
secretly with the Government of India, declared Kashmir as a part of
India. Pakistan has continuously insisted that Kashmir must get their
right of self determination but due to non-cooperation of India, Kashmir
issue still remain unsolved.
7. Constitutional Problem
The constituent assembly failed to frame a constitution even
in eight years. Lack of a permanent constitution created chances of
unscrupulous interference in democratic progress of Pakistan.
8. Annexation of Princely States
All Indian princely states were given the right to link up
with either of dominions. However, the fate of some states remained
undecided. The Muslim Nawab governing Junagadh favoured in acceding to
Pakistan. But Indian Government sent Army troops towards Junagadh and
occupied the State by force in November, 1947.
Hyderabad Deccan was the largest and richest state ruled by Muslim
leader Nizam who decided to remain independent. But pressure tactics
began to the applied by Indian Government and Mountbatten. India
attacked Hyderabad on 13th September 1948 and forcibly annexed this
state to India.
9. Economic Problems
When Pakistan came into existence, it mostly consisted of
economically backward and underdeveloped areas. The agricultural system
was obsolete and outdated which added to the economic backwardness of
the areas forming part of Pakistan. Before partition the Hindus, with
the blessings of the British Government, had acquired complete monopoly
in trade and commerce. The entire capital was in the hands of the
Hindus. Unfortunately, the banks and other financial institutions were
located in Indian territory. The major industries were also in those
areas which were part of India. Besides these factors the technical
experts and labourers, who operated the industries, were all Hindus
because the Muslims extremely lagged behind in education and financial
capabilities. The inadequate system of transportation and communication
also made its adverse affect on economic development of the country. The
railway system and river transportation in East Pakistan was in
depleted condition. The roads were in shabby and irreparable condition.
The communication and transportation system in West Pakistan,
comparatively, was in better position. The power resources in the two
wings were scarce and negligible which were insufficient to meet the
national requirement.
10. Administrative Problems
Pakistan came into being under the most appalling conditions.
The Government of Pakistan could not get enough time to set up workable
administrative machinery because of the great difficulties created by
Congress. The Indian Government adopted delaying tactics n transferring
the Government servants and official record which aggravated the
situation.
Therefore the immediate task before the nation was to establish a
workable administrative and Government machinery to run the affairs of
the newly born state. The biggest administrative problem facing Pakistan
was the acute shortage of competent and experienced personnel in the
Central and Provincial Governments. Furthermore, there weren’t enough
chairs, tables or even stationary and paper pins for administrative
purposes. However, Quaid-e-Azam paid his immediate attention towards
setting up of administrative machinery and took a number of steps to
overcome the administrative problems of the new state.
11. Constitutional Problem
At the time of establishment of Pakistan the Government of
India Act 1935 became the working constitution of Pakistan with certain
adaptions. But the need of a constitution framed by the elected
representatives of the people was necessary for free people. So the
first constituent assembly was formed and was given the task to frame
the constitution for the country. But the constituent assembly failed to
frame a constitution even in eight years. Lack of a permanent
constitution created chances of corrupt interference in democratic
progress of Pakistan. On the other hand, the constituent assembly
conferred extra ordinary powers on Governor General which afterwards led
to future constitutional crisis.
12. Electricity Problem
Due to transfer of Muslim majority areas to India and of unfair
demarcation, electricity system of West Punjab was disrupted, because
all power stations were at Mundi, a predominantly Muslim majority area,
gifted to Bharat but Quaid-e-Azam said
If we are to exist as a nation, we will have to face the problems with determination and force
Conclusion
Pakistan came into being as a free Muslim state in quite unfavourable
circumstances. It had no resources, it had to build up its
administrative machinery from a scratch. But Supreme efforts were made
by the Quaid-e-Azam and his colleagues to grapple with the situation.
His golden principles Unity, Faith and Discipline gave way to Pakistan
for a bright future of a strong and well developed country. In his last
message to the nation on 14th August 1948, he told the nation.
The foundation of your state has been laid and it is now for you to build and build as quickly and as well as you can.