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partition problems faced by Pakistan

Though on 14th August 1947, Pakistan came into being as an independent state, however the idea and
reality of the partition of sub-continent was not accepted by Indian (Congress) leaders from the core
of their hearts. They were of the view that Pakistan is not a viable state. For them, Pakistan coming
into being was a temporary phase and that the partition would be reversed soon. Therefore, they
created difficulties for the newly established state of Pakistan, so that it can fail. The Quaid-e-Azam to
the contrary had declared,
“Pakistan had come to exist for ever, and it will by the grace of God exist for ever.”

Geographical problems:
• Pakistan, at the time of independence was a unique country, consisting of two wings situated at
a distance of 1000 miles, and in between laid the hostile India.
• The geographical location of the two wings made it difficult to govern effectively and
efficiently.
• From the start it created a hurdle of distance difficult to surmount, without which the
emotional attachment and understanding between the people of West Pakistan and East
Pakistan could not be created.
• West Pakistan was more economically developed than East Pakistan.
• Therefore, a very judicious division of resources was required to be implemented between the
two wings.

Unjust demarcation of boundaries (Radcliffe Award):
• A boundary commission had been agreed to by Nehru and Jinnah. Such a commission was
appointed under Cyril Radcliffe to mark permanent boundaries.
• In West Pakistan, a few Muslim majority areas including Gurdaspur tehsil were handed over to
India, in order to create a link between India and Kashmir. The award, therefore, was
responsible for making up this issue of Kashmir between India and Pakistan, which hitherto is
unresolved, and a number of wars have been fought between the two states. No such situation
would have aroused, had Muslim majority areas been given to Pakistan i.e. Gurdaspur.
• The Radcliffe Award also gave rise to the canal water dispute between India and Pakistan. It
handed over head works of two canals (Madhapur and Ferozepur canals) taken out from river
Ravi and Sutlej to India. These canals would irrigate Pakistani land, but because of the control
over the head works, India also controlled water flow into these canals. With this India was in a
position to flood or starve Pakistan, as a very large agricultural area of Pakistan was dependent
upon water flow from these canals.
• In April 1948, India threatened to stop water flow into these canals. A temporary agreement
was signed in May 1948. However, permanent settlement could not be reached up till
September 1960-called Indus Water Treaty, through mediation of World Bank. By this,
Pakistan got exclusive rights of the water of 3 western rivers, and India of the 3 eastern rivers
of Indus River system.
• In the east, Calcutta, the nerve center of economic activities was handed over to India. Almost
all industries were concentrated in or around Calcutta. Though Calcutta was a non-Muslim
majority area, but M.L. had suggested a referendum over there, for not all non-Muslims were
expected to vote in favor of India/Congress. The idea was not accepted and Calcutta was
arbitrarily handed over to India, which affected East Bengal’s economy.

Formation of government and administrative problems:
• Formation of the government of the new state of Pakistan and making its constitution were
also one of the important tasks to be done.
• Jinnah became the first governor general of Pakistan. He appointed Liaqat Ali Khan as the PM,
and provided him with a cabinet of ministers.


• Government of India Act 1935 was adopted as the interim constitution of Pakistan, with
necessary amendments. Whereas the first constituent assembly was to frame a new
constitution.
• Pakistan also lacked proper offices to house different government departments.
• Pakistan lacked civil servants.

Social problems:
• Other than significant differenced that existed between East Pakistan and West Pakistan, the
people of West Pakistan were also different from each other in their outlook, culture, language
and traditions.
• The people of the 4 provinces of West Pakistan and East Pakistan had to be educated in their
new citizenship of Pakistan. No such problem existed for India, for they were Indian earlier and
Indians after 1947. But the people of Pakistan had to be taught their new identity (Pakistani).
• Moreover, for the people of Pakistan, a balance had to be created between provincialism and
feeling of patriotism towards their country.
• Low literacy rate was another problem, with few schools and few teachers.
• The healthcare facilities were inadequate, with few hospitals and fewer doctors available.
• The Quaid-e-Azam through his speeches tried to educate the people in being Pakistani,
narrowing down the differences between them and warning the people of Pakistan of the
dangerous impact of provincialism.

Division of assets:
Financial assets:
Pakistan was to receive its share of cash balance of rs 750 million. Rs 200 million were released to the
government of Pakistan initially, however the remaining amount was stopped by the Indian
government to pressurize Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. Because of Gandhi’s pressure, another rs
500 million were released to Pakistan. Rs 50 million, the remaining amount, were never paid.
• Also Pakistan had a very weak industrial base, getting only a few industries as its share.
o Out of 360 cotton mills, only 16 were in Pakistan, the rest being in India.
o All top 50 companies were under Hindu ownership.
o Pakistan had not even a single jute mill to crush the jute of East Pakistan.
• Military assets were to be divided at 17:5. India again failed to keep up its commitment and
delayed transfer of Pakistan’s share. Finally when Pakistan’s share was released, it was in the
shape of worn out equipment and scrap.
• Out of 16 ordinance factories, not a single one was in Pakistan, and India refused to transfer
any.
• Pakistan army had lesser officers than the number it actually required.
o Pakistan got 60 million for an ordinance factory, with which Pakistan set up Wah
ordinance factory.
o Jinnah, to make up for the shortage of army officers was forced to take up 500 British
officers, mostly at top positions.
o Jinnah kept the army’s morale high and ordered intervention when Kashmir dispute
started.
o In July 1948, the Quaid established the State Bank of Pakistan.
o In 1948, Jinnah also read out the 1st industrial policy statement of Pakistan,
emphasizing industrial development.

Refugee problem and their accommodation:
• With the announcement of the partition plan, it was natural that a large-scale migration was
going to take place, with people from both sides moving to the country of their choice.
• The unjust drawing of boundaries by Radcliffe, giving Muslim majority areas to India also
aggravated the situation. These Muslims were also expected to migrate to Pakistan.


• Sikh leaders in Punjab (Indian) had started planning the expulsion of Muslims from East
Punjab (Indian Punjab). Sikh groups were prepared and armed for the task, with the active
support of the Sikh rulers of the princely states.
• These groups started attacking and looting Muslim caravans moving to Pakistan, killing men,
women and children, and disgracing them. Trains full of slaughtered bodies started reaching
Pakistan.
• Retaliation also started on this side (Pakistan) against non-Muslims, both cases being horrific.
• The British government did too little and too late to prevent all this killing and terrorism from
happening.
• Approximately 17 million souls were exchanged with 1 million dead or gone missing.

Ø Pakistan being small in size felt more pressure of these arriving refugees.
Ø Pakistan’s economy was also in a poor state to support the refugees.
Ø However, the government of Pakistan and the nation rose to the occasion, to feed, clothe,
accommodate and console the refugees pouring in.
Ø Temporary arrangements were made for refugees in camps to shelter them.
Ø Ministry of Refugee and Rehabilitation was formed to take care of the refugees.
Ø The Quaid-e-Azam relief fund was created, and the nation was asked for donations.
Ø Jinnah stationed himself at Lahore, where most of the refugees were arriving. He would pay
frequent visits to the refugee camps.
Ø Laws were made to settle refugees on evacuee property and abandoned lands.