Initial Difficulties of Pakistan

1. Introduction
The emergence of Pakistan, after a long and arduous freedom movement, was infact 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 and British dominance. Quaid-e-Azam on 15th August, 1947
said “My thoughts are those valiant fighters in our cause who readily sacrificed all they had,
including their lives to make Pakistan possible”.
2. Choice of Capital and Establishment of Government
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. 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.
3. Unfair Boundary Distribution
A boundary commission was set up under a British Chairman, Sir Cyril Redcliff. He misused his
powers and handed over Muslims majority areas like Gurdaspur, Ferozpur and Junagadh to India
hence providing them a gateway to Kashmir. Quaid-e-Azam called it an unjust, incomprehensible
and even perverse award.
4. The Massacre of Muslim Refugees in India
On the birth of Pakistan, Hindus and Sikhs became more furious. In a planned move, Muslims
properties were set on fire and they were compelled to leave India 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.
5. Division of Military and Financial Assets
In order to embarrass Pakistan financially, India did a lot of honesty in the matters of Pakistan
which were concerned with its benefits. Pakistan was promised to get Rs. 750 million but the
Indian Government refused to give. Pakistan received only 200 million. Pakistan also did not
receive the due share of the military assets. This dishonest attitude put Pakistan into great
difficulties.
6. Canal Water Dispute
Most of the rivers flowing in Pakistan have their origin in India. In 1948, India stopped water
supply to Pakistani canals to damage the Pakistani agriculture. However on 9th September, 1960
on agreement called Indus Basin Treaty was signed between the two countries.
7. Kashmir Dispute
Kashmir dispute is the most important and unsolved problem. Kashmir is the natural part of
Pakistan because at the time of partition 85% of the Kashmir’s total population was Muslim. The
Hindu Dogra Rule, who was secretly with the Government of India, declared Kashmir as a part of
India. Pakistan has continuously insisted that Kashmir must get their right of self determination
but due to non-cooperation of India, Kashmir issue still remain unsolved.
8. Constitutional Problem
The constituent assembly failed to frame a constitution even in eight years. Lack of a permanent
constitution created chances of unscrupulous interference in democratic progress of Pakistan.
9. Annexation of Princely States
All Indian princely states were given the right to link up with either of dominions. However, the
fate of some states remained undecided. The Muslim Nawab governing Junagadh favoured in
acceding to Pakistan. But Indian Government sent Army troops towards Junagadh and occupied
the State by force in November, 1947. Hyderabad Deccan was the largest and richest state ruled
by Muslim leader Nizam who decided to remain independent. But pressure tactics began to the
applied by Indian Government and Mountbatten. India attacked Hyderabad on 13th September
1948 and forcibly annexed this state to India.
10.Economic Problems
When Pakistan came into existence, it mostly consisted of economically backward and underdeveloped
areas. The agricultural system was obsolete and outdated which added to the economic backwardness
of the areas forming part of Pakistan. Before partition the Hindus, with the blessings of the British
Government, had acquired complete monopoly in trade and commerce. The entire capital was in the
hands of the Hindus. Unfortunately, the banks and other financial institutions were located in Indian
territory. The major industries were also in those areas which were part of India. Besides these factors
the technical experts and labourers who operated the industries, were all Hindus because the Muslims
extremely lagging behind in education and financial capabilities. The inadequate system of
transportation and communication also made its adverse affect on economic development of the
country. The railway system and river transportation in East Pakistan was in depleted condition. The
roads were in shabby and irreparable condition. The communication and transportation system in West
Pakistan, comparatively, was in better position. The power resources in the two wings were scarce and
negligible which were insufficient to meet the national requirement.
11.Administrative Problem
Pakistan came into being under the most appalling conditions. The Government of Pakistan could
not get enough time to set up workable administrative machinery because of the great difficulties
created by Congress. The Indian Government adopted delaying tactics n transferring the
Government servants and official record which aggravated the situation. Therefore the immediate
task before the nation was to establish a workable administrative and Government machinery to
run the affairs of the newly born state. The biggest administrative problem facing Pakistan was the
acute shortage of competent and experienced personnel in the Central and Provincial
Governments. Furthermore, there weren’t enough chairs, tables or even stationary and paper pins
for administrative purposes. However, Quaid-e-Azam paid his immediate attention towards setting
up of administrative machinery and took a number of steps to overcome the administrative
problems of the new state.
12.Constitutional Problem
At the time of establishment of Pakistan the Government of India Act 1935 became the working
constitution of Pakistan with certain adaptions. But the need of a constitution framed by the elected
representatives of the people was necessary for free people. So the first constituent assembly was
formed and was given the task to frame the constitution for the country. But the constituent
assembly failed to frame a constitution even in eight years. Lack of a permanent constitution
 created chances of corrupt interference in democratic progress of Pakistan. On the other hand, the
constituent assembly conferred extra ordinary powers on Governor General which afterwards led
to future constitutional crisis.
13.Electricity Problem
Due to transfer of Muslim majority areas to India and of unfair demarcation, 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.
14.Issue of National Language
Immediately after the establishment of Pakistan language controversy was started between East
and West Pakistan when the members of the Constituent Assembly belonged to East Pakistan
demanded that instead of Urdu, Bengali should be made national language of Pakistan. Liaqat Ali
Khan then the Prime Minister of Pakistan refused to accept the demand, which created resentment
among East Pakistan. Refusal of the demand ultimately transformed into a political movement. In
March 1948 while addressing at Dhaka, Quaid-e-Azam declared
“Urdu and Urdu alone would be the national language of Pakistan."
Advice of Quaid-e-Azam temporarily took the heart out of language movement but the issue was
not settled. It exploded latter after the death of Quaid-e-Azam.

15.Death of Quaid-E-Azam
Despite all the problems, Pakistan continued under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam. Nobody
candeny that the early year's major year of Quaid-e-Azam was a source of strength for Pakistan.
Quaid-e-Azam died on 11th September 1948. After the death of Quaid-e-Azam, there were great
leaders also, but unfortunately none of them was Quaid-e-Azam. So, of some kindness The leader
was created by some of the so called leaders but also there were some sincere leaders but just like
drop in water.

Conclusion
Pakistan came into being as 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
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.