POST INDEPENDENCE PROBLEMS Sameer Asghar

INTRODUCTION
The emergence of Pakistan, after a long
and tough freedom movement, was in
fact a great victory of the democratic
idea of life. On 14th Aug 1947, Pakistan
was established but with its
establishment, Pakistan faced
tremendous problems which were very
difficult to solve. Being a newly created
state Pakistan had to face many
problems just because of the diplomacy
of the British & the Hindu leaders.
• CHOICE OF CAPITAL
On independence, Pakistan was without any infrastructure to set up a new state,
no established capital city and no office buildings. 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; more
like a “TENT”. The term “tent” was used by Mountbatten for Karachi. It had no
office buildings, infrastructure, or machinery.
Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah took an Oath as the first Governor
General and Liaquat Ali Khan was appointed as the first Prime Minister Of
Pakistan.
• ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEM
There were no suitable buildings for
government offices. The Hindus working in
offices situated in the areas of Pakistan
migrated to India and the offices became
empty. Furniture, stationery, typewriters and
other necessary items were also not available in
the offices. Most of the offices started their
work under the open sky with no shelter. The
Hindu officers had destroyed the records
before going to India. The Government of
Pakistan began its work under miserable
conditions. The nation accepted the challenge
and performed the duties under odd
circumstances. Pakistan had to take a new start
form the scratch.
 • REFUGEE PROBLEM
Millions of Muslim families migrated to Pakistan.
Thousands of Muslims were killed and millions were
driven out of India to seek shelter in Pakistan. On the
way to Pakistan, a very large number of Muslims were
massacred and the properties were looted with the
help of British forces. The number of the Muslims who
finally crossed the border was more than 1,25,00,000.
The oppressed and depressed Muslims were
temporarily provided accommodations in camps.
To rehabilitate the refugees in Pakistan was a very big
task for the administration. The provision of shelter,
clothing and food for them was a great responsibility.
This created serious economic and housing problem for
the government and people of Pakistan.
 • UNFAIR BOUNDARY DISTRIBUTION
British government appointed two boundary commissions in
1947 to demarcate the boundary. The head of both the
commissions was Sir Cyril Radcliffe, a British advocate. He
was unwilling to listen to the arguments of the Muslim leaders.
According to the 3rd June Plan the Provinces of the Punjab
and Bengal were to be divided into Muslim and non-Muslim
majority areas. The Muslim majority areas would become a
part of Pakistan. The conspiracy was hatched and Pakistan
was deprived of its true claims. Three Tehsils of District
Gurdaspur namely Pakistan Kot, Batala and Gurdaspur and
the Tehsil Zeera of District Ferozpur were included in India.
He provided a land route to India to move into the valley of
Jammu and Kashmir.
• CANAL WATER DISPUTE
The water have been a matter of dispute for many years between Pakistan
and India the Indus Water Treaty was signed in 1960.
The rivers Ravi, Sutlaj and Bias enter the territory of Pakistan from Indian side
and they have been the major sources of irrigation in the area. Sir Radcliffe, in
his unjust Award handed Ferozpur and Madhupur Head- works to India inspite
of the fact that the project was working in Muslim majority area. World Bank
visualized the whole situation and promised to help Pakistan in the hours of
crisis. Indus Basin Treaty was consequently signed in 1960, between the two
countries. Pakistan conceded three rivers (Ravi, Sutluj Bias) to India and
reciprocally India left its claim on the waters of rivers Jhelum, Chenab and
Sindh.
 • DIVISION OF ASSETS
The Indian National Congress took every step to crush the withering economy of
the new state. When the question of division of assets between the two
separated countries was raised, the Hindus once again did not do justice with
Muslims. The India government remained reluctant to pay the share of Pakistan
out of the cash balance of four billions. The share of Pakistan was 750 million
rupees. First installment of 200 millions issued at once but remaining amount was
delayed illegally. India in spite of world pressure became ready to pay the
amount if Pakistan would surrender Kashmir Valley to India. Gandhi interfered in
the matter and partial payment of 500 millions was released. The balance of
50 million has not been paid by India so far. A meeting was held in November
1947 in this context. The representatives of the two states signed a treaty but
India took no action.
• DIVISION OF ARMED FORCES
India wanted to keep Pakistan weak. The Chief of the Joint Forces of the Sub
continent, “Auchinluck” favoured the principle of no division of military assets.
All India Muslim League did not agree and pressurized for the division of
military assets. It was decided that all military assets would be divided
between the two states at the ratio of 64% and 36%. 16 ordinance factories
were producing weapons . Not a single factory was situated in the area of
Muslim majority. Indian Cabinet refused to shift any of the factories to Pakistan.
It was decided after long discussions that India would make payment of 60
million rupees to Pakistan.
Field Marshal resigned from his office because of the negative and non-
cooperative attitude of the Indian government. The resignation further
complicated the issue.
 • PROBLEM OF KASHMIR
The state of Jammu and Kashmir is situated in the North of
Pakistan and was the largest state in the Sub-continent.
The total population of the state was 4 million. The state
of Jammu and Kashmir is, culturally, geographically and
religiously very close to Pakistan. Therefore, they pressed
the Raja to join Pakistan. The Hindu rulers opposed this.
People of Kashmir started fighting against the Indian
forces. The freedom movement seemed to be successful.
The Hindu forces were pushed back. When the situation
became grim, the Indian government sought the help of
the Security Council of the United Nations. To ascertain the
will of the people, a plebiscite was to be held.
Unfortunately the interests of major powers did not allow
the plebiscite.
• ANNEXATION OF PRINCELY STATES
At the time of creation of Pakistan there were 560 Princely states. These states
had given an open option to join Pakistan or India or remain independent.
There were following states on which India take control by force and problem
was arise because these state wanted to join Pakistan these state over Kashmir,
Hyderabad, Junagargh and Monarader.
Princely states that were allowed to choose their accessation i.e. Hyderabad
Deccan and Junagadh etc were also forcibly occupied by the Indian armed
forces. Hyderabad Deccan was the largest and richest state of South Asia and
was considered the biggest Centre of Muslim culture and civilization next to
Delhi. Indian army attacked Hyderabad Deccan on 13th September,1948 and
forcibly annexed the state.
• ECONOMIC PROBLEMS
When Pakistan came into existence, it mostly consisted
of economically backward and undeveloped areas.
Unfortunately, the banks and other financial institutions
were located in Indian territory.
At the time of partition of sub-continent there were
400 different industries or factories but un-
accidentally only 14 factories given to Pakistan a lot
of agricultural plain area of Punjab and Bengal was
also given to India by the unjust Radcliffe Award. A lot
of important mineral producing areas were also given
to India. Lord Mount Batten and his team including
Congress created multi economic problems to weaken
the Pakistan economically.
• CONSTITUTIONAL PROBLEM
At the time of establishment of Pakistan there was
no constitution. Necessary amendments were made
in the 1935 constitution of India and it was
implemented so that government could be run. Due
to lack of constitution the problems of power
became more complexes and consequently in
December 1971, East Pakistan was separated and
became Bangladesh. Rest of Pakistan started
bringing the fire of prejudice and sectarianism and
is still burning.
It took 9 years to frame the constitution. Thus,
Pakistan was without a proper constitution for
nearly a decade.
• QUAID-E-AZAM’S DEATH
By the grace of God and by the untiring efforts
of Quaid-e-Azam, Pakistan was created on 14th
August 1947. Great Quaid-e-Azam became
Governor General of Pakistan. Unfortunately
Quaid had died on 11th September 1948, after
only 13 months. Death of Quaid-e-Azam
created a lot of problem for Pakistan.
Pakistan suffered soon after the death of
Muhammad Ali Jinnah. After the death of
Quaid-e-Azam, though there were great
leaders, but unfortunately none of them could
match his caliber.