INITIAL DIFFICULTIES OF PAKISTAN

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 or British dominance. Quaid-e-Azam on 15th August,
1947 said:
“My thoughts are with those valiant fighters in our cause who readily sacrificed all they had,
including their lives, to make Pakistan possible.”
The attainment of independence brought an end to one phase of the struggle and marked the
beginning of a new one for setting up and running a viable, stable and prosperous state.
Pakistan began its independent life under very difficult and unfavourable circumstances.
Pakistan faced serious problems in the initial stages.
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 Muslim majority areas like Gurdaspur, Ferozpur, Jullander
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, Muslim
properties were set on fire and they were compelled to leave Bharat 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. New Administration
The shortage of trained human power especially senior officers was a serious problem in the
setting up of federal government in Karachi. Most of them had migrated to India. There was a
shortage of office space, equipment and furniture. This disturbed the direct connections
between the federal government and provincial governments. On the other hand, the provincial
governments were overburdened that needed very accurate connection between the centre
and the provinces to solve the problems of the Muslim refugees who had nothing to eat, drink,
wear, rest, etc. To counter the critical situation, the official system should have been efficient
but due to the lack of all these facilities the administrative authorities were painfully facing
difficulties.
5. Division of Assets
The Indian government was not cooperative for transfer of record and equipment to Pakistan.
The civil administration was not handing over the promised financial, military, and other shares
that created mountainous hurdles to eradicate the pains and miseries of the refugees.
i. Financial Assets
The full financial share of Pakistan was not transferred. Initially rupees 200 million were
transferred that were not sufficient to meet the expenditures of the newly born state. The
Indian government was so reactionary that it tried its level best to block these funds to
suffocate the newly born Muslim state as they expected foolishly that Pakistan would collapse
and rejoin India soon after its existence. They did not release the remaining funds until Gandhi’s
threat of marn bert (fast until death). Under this pressure, more funds were sent in early 1948
but no installment was later paid.
ii. Military’s Division
As far as the problem in dividing man power there was no serious setback because the division
was not in the hand of third person and Muslims were free to come to their dreamland,
Pakistan. Anyhow, their shifting was slow and insecure. There were obstacles in the Pakistan’s
share of weapons, equipment, and stores. The broken and damaged stuff was sent by India.
Pakistan did not get any ordinance factory. Reorganization of the Armed Forces was another
tough job and the there was no army officer up to the rank of colonel. The shortage of
experienced officers convinced British officers to continue their services. This also accelerated
undue promotion in the military services to fill the gap.
 6. Annexation of Princely States
There were over 560 princely states in India on the verge of the partition of India. About 500
states had joined India before August 15 because of the motivation by V. P. Menon and
Mountbatten. The princes were inclined to honour every gesture of the British representative so
they conceded what the member of the Royal family (Mountbatten) wished. The Hindu-British
conspiracy blocked states to join Pakistan.
i. Junagadh
It was a small state with access to sea having about 7 lakh population and 3377 mile area. The
ruler was Muslim while the majority of its population was Hindu. The ruler decided to accede to
Pakistan and Pakistan also accepted the accession. In November 1947, the Indian troops
entered the state and took its control. The referendum favoured India.
ii. Hyderabad
It was geographically big and financially a rich state. Its ruler was Muslim and majority
population was Hindu. It was surrounded by India from all sides. The Nizam wanted to stay
independent. Mountbatten discouraged him and signed Standstill Agreement. But India built
pressure on the Nizam by sending its troops in September 1948 claiming that serious law and
order situation had developed. The state was integrated in India.
iii. Kashmir
The most important state was Kashmir naturally connected with Pakistan. Its ruler was Hindu
while population was Muslim. The population inclined towards Pakistan but the Hindu ruler
declared to join India. The Kashmiri people revolt against the ruler in Poonch area and soon it
became widespread. The ruler sought Indian support. India demanded accession. On October
27, 1947 Indian troops landed in Srinagar. The people continued their struggle for independence
and India promised to finally settle the matter with reference to the people under the UN
Resolutions.

7. Canal Water Problem

The major rivers flow from Kashmir and some canal heads located in India. In 1948, India cut off
water to some canal that was a serious threat to agriculture in West Pakistan. The Indian plans
to build water storage on the rivers that are vital for Pakistan’s economy worsened the situation.
It also showed the traditional anti-Muslim attitude. The World Bank settled the problem in
September 1960 (Indus Water Treaty).
8. Trade Problem and the Economy
India devalued its currency in 1949 but Pakistan refused to do so. It stopped trade that
adversely affected Pakistan’s economy as it depended on trade from India. Pakistan had
inherited a weak economy and poor industrial base.
9. 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.
10.Electricity Problem
Due to transfer of Muslim majority areas to Bharat 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 unfavorable 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 fondation of your state have been laid and it is now for you to build and build as quickly
and as well as you can.”
The beginning years of Pakistan were troubled and difficult due to the India’s non-helpful policy
and the war in Kashmir. It had profound impact on Pakistan’s worldview and its relations with
India. Pakistan strived for its survival and security. Many Indians and the British predicted the
collapse of Pakistan. They were of the opinion that very soon the Muslims would realize their
blunder. They would be forced by the circumstances to go back to join India. But PAKISTAN, by
the grace of Almighty Allah, was able to meet the challenge even with its problems