Pakistan was created out of British Indian Empire on 14th August 1947 as a free and independent sovereign state after a long and intense freedom struggle and the subcontinent Muslims struggled for it with the primary objective of setting up an Islamic society, marked by loyalty to its age-old ideals of the oneness of God, the brotherhood of man and accountability for all actions on the Day of Judgment.
That survived at all was mainly the handiwork of one man-Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The nation desperately needed a charismatic leader at a critical juncture in the nation’s history, and he fulfilled that need profoundly.
Though tried and in poor health, Jinnah yet carried the heaviest part of the burden in that first, crucial year. He laid down the policies of the new state and paid attention to the following immediate problems confronting the nation.
Rehabilitation of the Refugees
Pakistan faced the problem of an influx of refugees at the time of Independence. These were mostly pouring in Lahore from East Punjab. The refugees, in miserable conditions, were pushed into Pakistan to create difficulties for the infant economy of Pakistan. Quaid-e-Azam, aware of the hardships the refugees had suffered shifted himself to Lahore for a while and supervised the immediate refugee problem in Punjab. Quaid-e-Azam relief fund was created in which the rich and wealthy people were asked to donate generously for the rehabilitation of poor refugees. At the beginning of September, Quaid formed the ministry of refugees and rehabilitation in the Pakistan government to cope with the problem. The Quaid advised his excited audience in Lahore to concentrate on helping the refugees by saying:
"That freedom can never be attained by a nation without suffering and sacrifice has been amply borne by the recent tragic happenings in this subcontinent. We are in the midst of unparalleled difficulties and untold sufferings but I can say with confidence that with courage and self-reliance, and by the grace of God, we shall emerge triumphantly".
Reforms in Education
Despite many problems faced by newborn Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam was fully aware of the backwardness and illiteracy of Pakistan and paid special attention to the educational reforms. It was at his initiative that on 27th November 1947, the first All Pakistan Educational Conference was convened in Karachi. In his message to the conference, Quaid said:-
"If we are to make any real, speedy, and substantial progress, we must earnestly tackle this question and bring our educational policy and program on the lines suited to the genius of our people, constant with our history and culture, and having regard to the modern conditions and vast developments that have taken all over the world"
Economic Self-Suffering
Just after independence Quaid-e-Azam showed great interest in developing the economic system of Pakistan. He was keen that the state bank of Pakistan should start functioning at the earliest and hence entrusted the job of setting up the Bank to Mr. Zahid Hussain. This bank was established on 1st July 1948. Inaugurating the state Bank of Pakistan, the Quaid-e-Azam provided the guidelines for a new banking and economic order.
Defense of Country
Quaid-e-Azam was most concerned with the defense of the country and the role to be played by the Armed forces of Pakistan. The main reason for this special attention was that Pakistan received scarp and out-of-order machined, broken weapons, rusted artillery, and unserviceable aircraft after the division of Indian military assets in 1947. And Quaid was right to think that Pakistan has to develop its armed forces from the very initial point.
Concept of Government
Quaid-e-Azam expressed such ideas several times that the constitution of the country will be framed by the Constituent Assembly. He did not live long to guide the Assembly on this behalf. He never had a clear concept of the type of government that will be acceptable to the people of Pakistan. On 14th February 1948, Quaid said:
"It is on my behalf that our salvation lies in following the golden rules of conduct set for us by our great law-giver, the prophet of Islam. Let us lay the foundation of our democracy on the basis of truly Islamic ideas and principles."
Interest in the Integration of the Country
Quaid-e-Azam, the father of the nation, condemned the immediate problem of provincialism and racialism in Pakistan. He advised the people to beware of such ignoble elements who wanted to destroy national unity and wanted to create administrative problems for Pakistan. He toured the various provinces, attended to their particular problems, and instilled in the people a sense of belonging. He reversed the British policy in the frontier and ordered the withdrawal of troops from Waziristan, thereby making the Pathans feel themselves an integral part of Pakistan’s body – politics. He created a new Ministry of States and Frontier Regions and assumed responsibility for ushering in a new era in Balochistan.
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role of Quaid e Azam in the creation of Pakistan
Also, read Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah Role in the Struggle for the Establishment of Pakistan