INITIAL DIFICULTIES

The Problems of the New State 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 unfavorable circumstances.
Pakistan faced serious problems in the initial stages.

1. New Administration

2. Division of Assets

3. Integration of Princely States

4. Communal Riots and Arrival of Refugees

5. Canal water and trade issues

1: 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.

2: 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.

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.

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.

3: Integration 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. 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.
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. 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.

4: Communal Riots and Refugees The Communal riots occurred earlier in August 1946. The killing of
Muslims in Indian areas forced them to leave India. The Sikhs and Hindus attacked the refugee caravans
and trains. There were organized gangs to kill the Muslims. The refugee problem created critical
condition in the border areas. The massive migration proved serious economic and humanitarian
problems for the new state. The military was asked to help cope with the refugee problem.

5: 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). 6: 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. 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.

TOPIC 24 INITIAL PROBLEMS OF PAKISTAN 1947 -48:

Introduction:  Quaid-e-azam sworn as the Governor General of Pakistan on 14 august 1947.  He said
“Pakistan has come to exist for ever”. Geographical problems: Pakistan was split into two separate parts
almost a thousand miles apart. East Pakistan comprised of most of Bengal and the Sylhet which voted in
a referendum to join Pakistan. West Pakistan comprised of west Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan and the
NWFP. The princely states of Dir, Swat, Chitral, Amb, Hunza, Gilgit and Bahawalpur also joined Pakistan.
These two wings of Pakistan were separated by about a 1000 miles of land that belonged to India. There
was nothing common between these two wings except religion.

Political problems:

India inherited government buildings, furnishings even officials from the British. Pakistan had none of
these. India had officials, members of the Indian national congress, with political experience to take over
the government. In Pakistan, the constituent Assembly members were mostly wealthy landlords with
little political experience. Pakistan lacked both the administrative and the government machinery to run
the affairs of a new country Quaid-e-azam would need to find a capital, a government and officials to
ensure the efficient government of the new state. Perhaps the major problem was that the Quaid-e-
azam had suffered from tuberculosis. Economic problems: Pakistan was underdeveloped with very little
industry. Only Karachi had the modern port but much of Pakistan had no linked to the industrialization
that had taken place in central India. Around 90 % people lived in the country side and only ͺ towns had
a population of ͳͲͲ,ͲͲͲ.Pakistanǯs agriculture didnǯt produce enough of a surplus to create the
wealth needed for industrialization. Only jute export produced the major source of foreign exchange
earnings for Pakistan but the problems created by partition are exemplified by the fact that in ͳͻ4 ͹
Pakistan didnǯt have a single jute mill. All the jute mills were in the new India. The percentage of
economic assets in Pakistan after partition:  Industrial enterprises: 10 %  Industrial workers : 6.5 % 
Electrical capacity : 5%  Mineral deposits : 10 % www.megalecture.com whatsapp: +92 323 509 4443,
email: [email protected] www.youtub

Electricity Problem

Due to transfer of Muslim majority areas to India and unfair demarcation, electricity system of West
Punjab was disrupted ,because all power stations were at Mundi, a predominantly Muslim majority area,
gifted to India but Quiad-e-Azam said: "If we are to exist as a nation ,we will have to face the problems
with determination and force."

Social problems:

Pakistan was mainly made up of 5 different regions. Some historians have gone as far as suggesting that
really it was 5 different nations. Certainly there were five different population groupings. (i) the Pakhtuns
in the north (ii) the Balochs in the west (iii) the Sindhis in the south (iv) the Punjabis in the north east (v)
the Bengalis in the east These people had different traditions, cultures, languages and lifestyles.
Baluchistan and Bengal in 1947 were not completely sure that they now wanted to transfer allegiance to
a new Pakistan, where once again the official language Urdu would not be the one they spoke.

The accession of the princely states: Lord Mountbatten gave the right to 462 princely states to choose
between India and Pakistan. Their location and their religion made the choice a straightforward one. In
1947 the northern areas of Dir, Swat, Chitral, Amb and Hunza joined Pakistan. Bahawalpur also joined
Pakistan; Sylhet in East also joined Pakistan through referendum. Hyderabad was the largest of the
princely states with a population of 160 million. It was wealthy with revenue of 160 million rupees.
Nizam wanted to join Pakistan but he was pressurized to join India due to non-Muslim population there.
In august he filed a complaint before UNO. But before it could be heard Indian troops captured
Hyderabad. Junagarh was a small state on the coast, 300 miles south of Karachi. Its prince was Muslim
but population was non-Muslim. Prince announced to join Pakistan in 1947.But Lord Mountbatten
informed Pakistan that the accession of Junagarh was an encroachment on Indian sovereignty and
territory. Ultimately Indian troops surrounded the state and took the control. Pakistan protested to the
UNO about the illegal occupation but the matter remains unresolved.

The Kashmir Issue:

The most serious disagreement between India and Pakistan concerned the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Its boundaries with Tibet, China, Afghanistan and Russia gave it great strategic importance. Most of the 4
million inhabitants of Kashmir were Muslims but the maharaja was Hindu. In September 1947 he started
a campaign to drive many Muslims out of Kashmir. Over 200,000 fled to Pakistan and finally the Muslims
rose in rebellion. The Maharaja was forced to turn to India for help to crush the Muslims. Indian help
came and the Maharaja Hari Singh agreed to accede to India. Pakistan also sent troops to help Kashmir
(Muslims).Neither side was strong enough for a long war. So in January 1948 the matter referred to the
UNO.A ceasefire was arranged on Jan. 1949 and Kashmir was divided between India and Pakistan. India
retained the largest area of Kashmir including the capital Srinagar. Indian Prime Minister Nehru agreed
that a referendum would be held in Kashmir to determine the wishes of the people, once the situation
has normalized. This referendum has not been held yet…

The division of financial and military assets:

It was agreed that the assets were to be divided on the ratio of 17 to India and 5 to Pakistan. This
reflected the relative size and populations of the country. In June 1947 it was agreed that Pakistan would
be paid 750 million rupees of the 4 billion rupees in the reserve bank. First 200 million rupees were paid
but later on India refused to pay the rest saying Pakistan would only use it to buy arms to fight against
India. Gandhi was determined that the division of assets should be fair and took steps to persuade India
to pay the due money. He used the threat of a hunger strike and successfully persuaded the Indian
government to pay a further 500 million rupees. Armed forces and the military equipment were split 36
% to 64% between Pakistan and India.

The armed forces personnel were given freedom to opt for whichever country they wanted. Muslim
regiments went to Pakistan and non- Muslim to India. Pakistanǯs army comprising on 150,000 men and
had only 2500 trained Muslim officers. It required 4000 officers; ultimately Jinnah had to hire 500 British
officers temporarily. All 16 ordinance factories were in India, and it refused to hand over any. Pakistan
had no factory for making military goods. Eventually India agreed to pay 60 million rupees in lieu of
handing over ordnance factories. The military supplies which India agreed to hand over were often old,
worn, damaged and obsolete.

The canal water dispute: The canal water dispute had its origin in the partition of Punjab in 1947.West
Pakistan relies upon irrigation from a series of canals which draw water from the 3 main rivers in the
area, the Indus, the Jhelum, and the Chenab. The problem for Pakistan was that the flow of water was
controlled at a series of Ǯheadworkǯsǯ lay in the part of east Punjab (India).Soon India and Pakistan
indulge into a canal water dispute. Pakistan called for the matter to be settled by international court of
justice but India refused. In May 1948 a temporary agreement was reached and India agreed to allow
water from east Punjab to flow into west Punjab
Refugees and the accommodation crises:

In the years immediately before partition there was widespread violence between Muslims and the
nonMuslims communities across India. The summer of 1947 saw rioting which led to numerous deaths.
When the boundary Award was announced in august 1947 things became worse. Millions of people
found themselves living in the wrong country and became victims of communal attacks. That year
witnessed the largest migration of mankind and also some of the worst scenes of communal violence.
Over 20 million people had moved from India to Pakistan or in other direction by Jan. 1948.Many Muslim
historians believe that Hindus and Sikhs had an organized programme for the massacre of Muslim
refugees. A million men, women and children died as a result of the violence or the rigors of the long
journey. Nearly 10 million people were made homeless. Karachi alone received nearly 2 million refugees
in 1947.That was impossible for Pakistan to provide accommodations to that mass number of people. In
September 1947 the authorities in Delhi had to declare martial law as non-Muslim refugees had begun a
slaughter of local Muslims. India and Pakistan were so concerned about the communal violence that
they began to cooperate in trying to control it.

Drawbacks in Educational System:

Lack of proper planning: There is no proper planning. Planning needs correct facts and figures which are
not available. Innovations are neither research based nor are introduced after proper preparation. They
are introduced with a stroke of pen, and are cancelled ill equal haste. Nationalization and de-
nationalization of schools , semester system and its cancellation, comprehensive schools, superior
science colleges are examples. Policies and their implementation: Education policies are framed, but are
not fully implemented with honesty and whole heartedness. Five policies were framed, the latest was in
1979. Over 1000 recommendations were made but only 25% were implemented. A new policy is
introduced with every change of government. Administrative set up: Officers at high level want to have
all powers in their hands. At lower level there is lack of proper supervision and control. Lack of funds:
This is the most important draw back. The government has no money to open more primary schools to
accommodate all children of school going age. The result is that there is overcrowding in primary and
secondary schools. Most of the money allocated to education is spent on salaries. There is no money for
research, development or teachers' training.

Poor condition of Schools:

School buildings are in bad shape. Buildings are neglected and dilapidated. There are thousands of
schools without proper class rooms. There is no proper furniture or facilities of drinking water, toilets or
playing grounds. Very often classes are held under the open sky and children are sitting on bare ground.
Teachers: In Pakistan teachers are a neglected community. No incentive is provided by the governments
or the society to the teachers and they are considered to be a community known for their intellectual
and economic backwardness. Training of teachers is also on old and out-moded lines and it does not
conform with the latest methods and trends. Examination System: Examination system is in primitive
state. The system is based on selective study, memorizing the text books or notes is all what is required.
Memorization of a narrow range of predictable topics is rewarded by high marks. The system of
examination is counter-productive as far as intellectual growth is concerned. It tempts the students to
cram rather than analyse and apply the knowledge to solve problems.

Expected questions:
Question No. 1: Explain three reasons for the canal water dispute between India and Pakistan. (7) June
2000

Q. 4 b Question No. 2: how successful did India and Pakistan handle the Kashmir issue up to 1988?
Explain your answer. (14) Nov. 2000

Q. 4 c Question No.3: why was Pakistan faced with a refugee problem in 1947? (7) Nov. 2000 Q.4 b
Question No. 4: How successful was the government of Pakistan in solving the problems of partition
during 1947 and 1948? Explain your answer. (14) June 2002

Q.4.c Question No. 5: why did Pakistan join the UN in 1947? (7) Nov. 2002 Q.5 b

Question No. 6: why was the division of the armed forces and military assets a problem for Pakistan in
1947? (7) Nov. 2003

Q. 4 b Question No. 7: was the refugee issue the most important problem facing the newly formed
government of Pakistan in 1947? Give reasons for your answer. (14) June 2004

Question No. 8: how successful did India and Pakistan handle the Kashmir issue between 1947 and
1988? Explain your answer. (14) Nov. 2004 Q. 4c

Question No.9: why did Pakistan face so many problems in the provision of education between 1947 and
1988? (7) Nov. 2004 Q.5 b

Question No. 10: The government of Pakistan was totally successful in solving the problems of partition
during 1947 and 1948. Do you agree? Explain your answer. (14) June 2005 Q. 4 c

Question No. 11: how successful did India and Pakistan handle the Kashmir issue between 1946 and
1988? Explain your answer. ( 14) Nov. 2006 Q. 4 c

Question No.12: Why was Pakistan faced with a refugee problem in 1947? (7) Nov. 2006 Q. 4 b Question
No.13: why did Pakistan join the UN in 1947? (7) June 2007 Q. 4 b

Question No. 14: 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) June 2007
Q.4c

Question No.15: why did educational reform become such an important issue between 1947and 1988?
(7) Nov 2007 Q.4 b

Question No. 16: the low rate of literacy was the most important social problem facing Pakistan
between 1947 and 1988.do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (14) June 2008 Q.4 c

Question No.17: the formation of a government was the most important problem facing the newly
established country of Pakistan in 1947, do you agree? (14) Nov 2009 Q. 4 c

Question No.18: what was the Canal Water Dispute? (4) June 2010 Q.4a Question No.19: why did
Pakistan join the UN in 1947? (7) June 2010 Q.4 b

Question No. 20: Describe the refugee problem. (4) No. 2012 Q.4.a
Question No.21: The government of Pak. Was totally successful in solving the problems of partition
during 1947 and 1948. Do you agree? Explain your answer. (14) June 2012 Q. 4 c

ANSWER TO QUESTION NO. 4:- The government of Pakistan was successful to some extent in solving the
problems of partition during 1947 and 1948.When Pakistan came into existence in August 1947, it faced
many difficulties. The most important problem was the formation of a central government of Pakistan.
There were no offices, no office equipment and no office workers. The central government offices were
set up in army barracks and hired residential buildings. However under the guidance of Quaid – e – Azam
and with courage and confidence, the whatsapp: +92 323 509 4443, email: [email protected]
www.youtube.com/megalecture Page 6 of 7 difficulties were overcome and the government of Pakistan
started functioning smoothly. Quaid – e – Azam and Liaqat Ali Khan became the Governor general and
Prime Minister respectively. The problem of refugees was a very big problem. Communal riots had
started in Indian Punjab and Delhi. Millions of Muslims had the leave their homes and had to run to
Pakistan. The Pakistan government set up camps for the refugees and looked after them for several
months. They were gradually settled in the new country. Under the guidance of Quaid-e- Azam a new
department was created for rehabilitation of the refugees. The division of military assets was another
problem. The division was to be made at a ratio of 36:64 between the two countries. Bu since all big
military stores was on the side of India. The equipment given to Pakistan was obsolete and consisted of
unusable machinery and equipment. Pakistan had to suffer a great loss and had to start from a scratch.
In the division of financial assets again the Indian leaders showed great dishonesty and unfairness. The
payment was not only withheld for a long time, But out of a sum of Rs: 750 million only Rs: 700 million
were paid in several instalments. Rs: 50 million were never paid at all. Canal water dispute also arose in
April 1948 when India stopped the supply of water in the canals coming out or River Ravi and River
Sutlej, because their head-works were located in India. A large agricultural area of Pakistan was badly
affected. After lengthy negotiations this problem was solved with the cooperation of World Bank under
the Indus Water Treaty in 1960.The accession of three princely states of Junagarh, Hyderabad and
Kashmir created great problems for Pakistan. The ruler of Junagarh formally acceded to Pakistan. But the
population was mostly non-Muslim; therefore, India occupied the state with the help of armed forces.
The state of Hyderabad wanted to remain independent. But in September 1948, the Indian army forcibly
occupied the state. Kashmir had an overwhelmingly Muslim majority population. But the Hindu
Maharaja formally acceded to India against the wishes of the people. India airlifted her troops and
occupied the state capital Srinagar. Kashmir still remains a disputed territory. India does not obey the
resolutions of the Security Council which has ordered a free and fair plebiscite in Kashmir. Four wars
have been fought between India and Pakistan and two agreements were finalized, but the problem of
Kashmir remains unsolved mainly because of unfair and stubborn attitude of India. Besides all these
uncertainty Pakistan was successful in overcoming its initial problem