The History and Culture of Pakistan

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PROBLEM FACING THE NEW NATION

The leaders of India had accepted the partition of the subcontinent with the expectation that
Pakistan would not be able to survive. This was the challenge for the Quaid to establish the
new country and to hold it together, despite the many problems it faced at the time of
partition.
1) GEOGRAPHICAL PROBLEM
2) POLITICAL
3) ECONOMIC
4) SOCIAL
5) ACCESSION OF PRINCELY STATES
6) DIVISION OF FINANCIAL AND MILITARY ASSETS
7) CANAL WATER DISPUTE
8) REFUGEES AND ACCOMMODATION CRISIS

1) GEOGRAPHICAL PROBLEM
One of the basic problems was that Pakistan was divided into two states, East Pakistan
(Bengal and district of Shylet) & West Pakistan (west Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh and
NWFP), which were thousands of miles apart and separated by hostile territory. The
Princely states like Swat, Chitral, Dir, Amb, Hunza, Gilgit, & Bhawalpur also joined Pakistan.
Karachi was declared as capital of Pakistan so it was very difficult for West Pakistan to
control East Pakistan. The huge distance also led to differences as both units had different
cultures, languages, and outlooks and there was nothing in common except for Islam.

Success and Failures

There was no success as Pakistan was not able to solve the problem as East Pakistan later
became independent in 1971 due to the differences.

2) POLITICAL PROBLEM
India inherited government buildings, furnishings, and even officials from the British.
Pakistan had none of these and even lacked office stationery and furnishing India had
officials, members of the Indian National Congress, with political experience to take over the
government. In Pakistan, the members of the constituent assembly lack experience and
skilled officials to run the government because League had no prior experience of being part
of any government before partition. In Pakistan, the members of the Constituent Assembly
were mostly landlords. More than half of the population lived in East Pakistan, but the
majority of the government and army leaders came from West Pakistan. Another major
problem faced by Pakistan was choosing a capital and establishing a secretariat
For some years the Quaid suffered from tuberculosis The problem further worsened with the
death of Quaid e Azam in 1948. There was a shortage of properly Qualified and experienced
personnel which made the task of running departments extremely difficult Pakistan was also
lacking leadership after the death of Quaid.

Success and Failures

Karachi was chosen as the new capital of Pakistan. Quaid e Azam became the Governor
General of Pakistan & Liaquat Ali Khan was given the post of Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Jinnah made special arrangements to bring the officials who opted for Pakistan & he sent

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special trains to take the qualified people back. A constitution assembly was set up to
design a new constitution for Pakistan
The leadership crisis was not fulfilled and that is why Pakistan faced frequent changes of
government in the following years.

3) ECONOMIC PROBLEM
Pakistan was made up of states that were mostly underdeveloped, with very little industry.
Karachi was the only modern port with substantial trading and business activity. Around 90%
of people lived in the countryside and there were 8 major towns with a population of more
than 100,000. In 1947, East Pakistan produced nearly 70% of the world's crop which was a
good source of foreign exchange for Pakistan but the problem created by partition was that
Pakistan did not have a single jute mill. All the jute mills were in India. 10% of industrial
enterprises, 6.5% of industrial workers, 5% of electrical capacity and 10% of mineral
deposits were only provided to Pakistan Pakistan only got 14 out of 390 Indian cotton mills

Success and Failures

Jinnah sent delegations & asked for funds from other foreign countries and asked the
government to set up the State Bank of Pakistan on 1 July 1948. In 1948 Jinnah introduced
the first industrial policy statement which made it essential to increase industrialization
quickly & to attract local investors.

4) SOCIAL PROBLEM
Pakistan consisted of 5 different regions namely Sindhi, Baluchis, Pakhtoons, Punjabi &
Bengali. These people had different traditions, cultures, languages and lifestyles. It created
a problem for the govt. to create national integrity among these groups of people. In 1947
some of them, particularly Balochistan and Bengal were not completely sure they now
wanted to transfer allegiance to new Pakistan. There was no uniting factor between each
other due to such diversity.

Success and Failures

Quaid e Azam declared Urdu as the official language to unite the people. He laid emphasis
to end provincialism and Racism. He explained to them that they should think of themselves
as Pakistanis and not as an individual race.

5) ACCESSION OF PRINCELY STATES

At the time of partition, there were about 462 princely states, and Lord Mountbatten had told
them that they would not be granted independence Till 15th August 1947 all princely states
except Junagadh, Kashmir and Hyderabad, had joined Pakistan or India. Junagadh was a
small state on the coast, 300 miles south of Karachi The Muslim ruler of Junagadh who
was Muslim agreed that his small kingdom should join Pakistan but Mountbatten opposed it.
Pakistan called for a referendum to be held but India refused. India sent troops to surround
the state, A blockade was imposed and soon Junagadh was short of food. Then in Nov
1947, Indian troops invaded. Pakistan took the matter to the United Nations, but the matter
is still unresolved. Hyderabad was the biggest princely state in the subcontinent with a
population of more than 160 million and even though so far from Pakistan, the Nizam of
Hyderabad who was Muslim wished to remain independent, or otherwise, join Pakistan. It
was very wealthy with annual revenue exceeding 160 million rupees. Again a referendum

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of people was proposed but turned down by Indians. Hyderabad sought help from the
United Nations (UN) against the threats coming from India.
which after Quaid’s death in 1948, invaded and took over the state. The UN took no action.
Kashmir consisted of Muslim majority with 4 million inhabitants but the ruler was Hindu,
Maharaja Hari Singh. It is believed that he was trying to win independence for his state and
so he delayed joining either India or Pakistan. In Sep 1947, Mahraja started a campaign to
drive many Muslims out of Kashmir. Over 200,000 fled to Pakistan and finally rose in
rebellion. Maharaja was forced to turn to India for help, In return for military help to defeat
the rebels, Hari Singh agreed that Kashmir should join India. Pakistan could not accept this
so sent troops to help Kashmir. Neither side was strong enough for a long war so in January
1948, the matter was referred to the UNO. A ceasefire was arranged by the UN. It was
decided that a referendum would be held to decide the fate of Kashmir but Indians never
allowed that.

6) DIVISION OF FINANCIAL AND MILITARY ASSETS

It was agreed that the financial assets were to be divided on the ratio of 17 to India and 5 to
Pakistan. This reflected the relative size of the populations of the two countries.
At the time of partition, there was a cash balance of 4 billion rupees, in the Reserve Bank of
India and Pakistan’s share was 750 million rupees. The first instalment of 200 million rupees
was paid but then war broke out over Kashmir and India refused to pay the rest, stating
Pakistan would use it to buy arms to fight against India They demanded that Pakistan
should stop fighting in Kashmir & wanted to make Pakistan bankrupt by stopping the finance

Success and Failures

The remaining amount was later released after Gandhi’s used the threat of hunger strikes
and world pressure. It was upon Gandhi’s request that the reserve bank of India paid
Pakistan 500 million rupees. A balance of Rupees 50 million is still disputed to this date.
The military assets were to be divided with a ratio of 36% and 64% between Pakistan and
India. The armed personnel were given the freedom t opt for whichever country they
wanted. Muslim regiment went to Pakistan and Non-Muslims to India Pakistan Army
consisted of 150,000 men and needed 4,000 officers. There were only 2,500 trained officers.
Jinnah was forced to take 500 British Officers temporarily. The equipment that was given to
Pakistan was obsolete, damaged or out of order, and the deliveries of vehicles were made
late on purpose All 16 ordinance factories were in India and it refused to hand over any.
500 British officers were taken to lead and train the Pakistani army. India eventually agreed
to pay 60 million rupees and an ordinance factory was established at Wah Cantt.

7) CANAL WATER DISPUTE

The canal water dispute was yet another cause for Pakistan's anger towards India.
Agriculture in Punjab depends on the complex irrigation system, using six rivers including the
Indus and thirty canals, some of which were in India. The head works were given to India
while its drained areas became part of Pakistan. The headwork of bari doab which was
flowing from east Punjab to west Punjab was in Firozpur, In April 1948, India shut off the
water flowing into Pakistan from the Firozpur headwork in east Punjab. It was threatening
1.65 million acres of agricultural land. The Indians demanded that Pakistan should pay for
water A temporary agreement was reached and it was dragged on until 1959 when the
Indus water treaty was signed.

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Success and Failure
The problem dragged on until 1959 when the Indus water treaty was signed
The treaty allowed for a transitional period of 10-13 years, after which the three eastern
rivers (Ravi, Sutlej, Beas) would be Indian share and three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum,
Chenab) to Pakistan

8) REFUGEES AND ACCOMMODATION CRISIS

The boundary commission under Sir Cyril Radcliffe was set up to define borders between
India and Pakistan. When boundary awards were announced in August 1947, Millions of
people found themselves living in the wrong country and became victims of communal
attacks. Muslims moved to Pakistan and Hindus to India. Over 10 million people were
involved in moving from India to Pakistan or in other directions. 20 million were made
homeless and 1 million including men, women and children have died on both sides. The
Hindus and Sikhs in Eastern Punjab were particularly fully charged with anti-Muslim
sentiments. In such areas, a large number of Muslims were ruthlessly killed; entire Muslim
villages were destroyed. Women were disrespected and even children were slaughtered.
Karachi alone received 2 million refugees in 1947 It placed great strain on the new
government.

Success and Failures

Quaide Azam declared himself as the “protector General of Minorities” in order to guarantee
the safety of minorities residing in Pakistan and taught religious tolerance to the people of
Pakistan. Quaid e Azam also established the “Rehabilitation Fund” under which the elite
Pakistanis were requested to donate for the rehabilitation of refugees. In 1950, The
Liaquat Nehru pact was signed between Liaquat Ali Khan and Nehru. Both
governments were held responsible to protect the minorities within their borders and
a VISA system was introduced.

Past Paper Attempt

Q)How successful was the government of Pakistan in solving the problems of Partition
between 1947 and 1948? Explain your answer. [14 marks] (June 2016)

Q)‘The Canal Water Dispute was the most important problem facing the newly established
government of Pakistan in 1947’. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.
14 marks]
Q) Why was Pakistan faced with a refugee problem in 1947? (7)