Initial difficulties

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 .Pakistan’s
agriculture didn’t 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 didn’t 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 %

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 Ǯheadwork 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, 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