INITIAL DIFFICULTIES AT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PAKISTAN
Preface: The emergence of Pakistan, after a long and arduous freedom movement, was infecting 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 Aug 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."
Initial Difficulties of Pakistan
From its very inception, Pakistan faced a large number of problems. Some of the initial difficulties were:
- Choice of Capital and Establishment of Government: The first problem that Pakistan had to face was choosing a capital to form a Government and 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.
- Unfair Boundary Distribution: A boundary commission was set up under a British Chapman, Sir Cyril Radcliff. He misused his powers and handed over Muslim-majority areas like Gurdaspur, Ferozpur, and Jullander to India hence providing them a gateway to Kashmir. Quaid-e-Azam called it: "An unjust, incomprehensible, and even perverse award."
- 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.
- Division of Military and Financial Assets: In order to embarrass Pakistan financially, India did a lot of dishonesty in matters Pakistan which were concerned with its benefits. Pakistan was promised to get Rs. 750 million but the Bharat Government refused to give it. Pakistan received only 200 million. Pakistan also did not receive the due share of the military assets. This dishonest attitude put Pakistan in great difficulty.
- Canal Water Dispute: Most of the rivers flowing in Pakistan have their origin in India. In 1948, India stopped the water supply to Pakistani canals to damage Pakistan's Agriculture. However, on 9th September 1960, an agreement called the "Indus Basin Treaty" was signed between the two countries.
- Kashmir Dispute: The dispute of Kashmir is the most important and unsolved problem. Kashmir is the natural part of Pakistan because at the time of partition 85% of Kashir’s total population was Muslim. The Hindu Dogra rule, who was secret from the Government of India, declared Kashmir as a part of India. Pakistan has continuously insisted that Kashmir must get their right to self-determination but due to the non-cooperation of India, the Kashmir issue still remains unsolved.
- Constitutional Problem: The constituent assembly failed to frame a constitution even in eight years. The lack of a permanent constitution created chances of unscrupulous interference in the democratic progress of Pakistan.
- The annexation of Princely States: All Indian princely states were given the right to link up with either of the dominions. However, the fate of the following states remained undecided. The Muslim Nawab governing Junagadh favored acceding to Pakistan. But the Indian Government sent Army troops toward Junagadh and occupied the State by force in November 1947.
- Hyderabad Decant: It was the largest and richest state ruled by Muslim ruler Nizam who decided to remain independent. But pressure tactics began to be applied by the Indian Government and Mount Batten. India attacked Hyderabad on 13th September 1948 and forcibly annexed this state to India.
- Electricity Problem: Due to the transfer of Muslim-majority areas to Bharat and unfair demarcation, the 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 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 of "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."