Pakistan Studies Notes

1) Services of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (October 17, 1817 – 27 March 1898) was a teacher and politician. He was a philosopher
as well. He was also a social reformer. He founded the school that would later become Aligarh Muslim
University. He was unhappy about the position of Muslims in India as their social and economic status was
declining. According to Sir Syed, Muslims had to bring a positive approach to the British and accept their ways
of education. He wanted the Muslims to benefit from the British. To achieve this task he had to bring about
cooperation between the Muslims and the British. To do this he did the following things:

 Wrote the loyal Muhammadans of India to prove that Muslims were not disloyal to British and to ask the
British to end their hostility.
 Wrote a pamphlet "essay on the causes of Indian Revolt" and pointed out the reasons for the outbreak
of 1857. This pamphlet was circulated for free amongst the British officials.
 Wrote Tabyin-ul-kalam to point out similarities between Islam and Christianity.
 Established the British Indian Association
Sir Syed played a vital role in the educational uplift of the Muslims in India. He did the following things to
improve the educational standards:

 Set up a journal, Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq, which contained articles of influential Muslims who agreed with Sir
Syed's approach towards education.
 Founded scientific society in Ghazi pore in 1863.
 Opened school in Moradabad in 1859
 Opened school in ghazi pore in 1864
 Made a committee to raise funds for new schools
 Set up Muhammadan Anglo Oriental school in Aligarh on 24 May 1875
 Set up Muhammadan educational conferences in 1866 to raise the standards of education
Sir Syed also increased the political awareness of Muslims in the Sub-continent. At first he believed in Hindu-
Muslim unity but later resolved to the two-nation theory. In 1885 the Indian National Congress was set up. It
claimed to be the body of every Indian regardless of religion. However it later proved to be functioning only for
the Hindus and tried to eradicate the Muslims. The Congress made three demands:

1. Political representation according the population. This obviously meant Hindu domination as they were
a dominant majority in India and Sir Syed opposed it.
2. Appointment in government should be by competitive examinations. Sir Syed opposed this because he
knew that the educational standards of the Hindus was much better than the Muslims.\
3. The next official language should be Hindi replacing Urdu. Urdu had a special place in the Muslim
hearts and Sir Syed opposed this. This demand was accepted by the British.
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan played a vital role in improving the Muslim status. He worked tirelessly to restore
relations between the Muslims and the British. He brought the Muslim revival through the Aligarh movement
and showed the importance of education. He brought an idea about the Two-nation theory and is hence known
as "The Father of The Pakistan Movement"

2) Importance of Two Nation Theory

The two-nation theory is the basis of the creation of Pakistan. The two-nation theory in its simplest way means
that cultural, political, religious, economic and social dissimilarities between the two major communities, Hindus
and Muslims of the Subcontinent. These differences of outlook, in fact, were greatly instrumental in giving rise
to two distinct political ideologies which were responsible for the partition of the sub-continent into two
independent states. The two-nation theory was a founding principle of the Pakistan Movement (i.e. the
ideology of Pakistan as a Muslim nation-state in South Asia), and the partition of India in 1947.
The ideology that religion is the determining factor in defining the nationality of Indian Muslims and Hindus was
postulated by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who termed it as the awakening of Muslims for the creation of Pakistan.

3) Lahore Resolution 1940

The Lahore Resolution , commonly known as the Pakistan Resolution was a political resolution, or statement
drafted between 22nd to 24th March 1940, by the 25-member Working Committee of the All-India Muslim
League, and then formally adopted by the Muslim League membership at its general session on 23 March
1940, held at Lahore. This resolution asked for greater Muslim autonomy of Muslim majority states such as
Punjab Bengal Sindh, NWFP within British India. However, later on most people thought of this as a call for a
separate Muslim state, Pakistan.[2] The resolution was presented at Minto Park (now renamed 'Iqbal Park'), in
Lahore, by Maulvi A.K. Fazlul Huq on the instructions of the Working Committee.
In fact, from the declaration made in this resolution in 1940 onwards, the goals of the Muslim League became
increasingly fixed upon achieving an independent nation-state.
Today, the resolution's importance is remembered in Pakistan, by the Minar-e-Pakistan structure that stands in
the Greater Iqbal Park, Lahore.

4) Government of India Act 1935

The Government of India Act, 1935 derived material from four key sources viz. Report of the Simon
Commission, discussions at the Third Round Table Conference, the White Paper of 1933 and the reports of
the Joint select committees. This act ended the system of dyarchy introduced by the Government of India Act
1919, and provided for establishment of a Federation of India to be made up of provinces of British India and
some or all of the Princely states. However, the federation never came into being as the required number of
princely states did not join it.
Salient Features of the Government of India Act 1935 were as follows:

 Abolition of provincial dyarchy and introduction of dyarchy at center.

 Abolition of Indian Council and introduction of an advisory body in its place.
 Provision for an All India Federation with British India territories and princely states.
 Elaborate safeguards and protective instruments for minorities.
 Supremacy of British Parliament.
 Increase in size of legislatures, extension of franchise, and division of subjects into three lists and
retention of communal electorate.
 Separation of Burma from India

5) Basic Principles of Foreign Policy

Foreign policy is one of the wheel with which the system of international politics works. It is part of national
policy. It comprises of national concerns that are to be facilitated in relations to other states other states. All the
states decide the line of their foreign policies inside the breaking points of their qualities and the actualities of
the international environment.
Some factors of national policy are being discussed below;

National Interests and Foreign Policy

Interest is the enormous idea in foreign policy. These are the aspirations of the state, which are to be
accomplished through foreign policy. The policy makers are represented by their individual national interests.
National interests are the governing factors which emerge large in diplomatic conferences, bilateral or
multilateral. The achievement and disappointment of all these conferences rely on the national interest. At her
independence Pakistan’s security concerns and financial improvements were core issues of national interests
while the US had to her national interest the protection against communism. Such model of national interests
of both Pakistan and the US brought about the partnerships between the two countries.
National Security
The main objective and determinant of foreign policy of Pakistan is its national security or independence.
Pakistan was a new born state, and there was a need to make plantings for its security. So Pakistan
formulated its foreign policy on the basis of national security. It gave due importance to the national security,
establishing external relationships with other countries. Pakistan respects the national integrity and the political
independence of other countries, and expects from others the same.

Financial Factor
At her very birth, economically and financially, Pakistan was a weak country. Hostility of Indian National
Congress to Pakistan had destroyed any basis of cooperation between India and Pakistan. Efforts were made
by the Indian government to strangulate Pakistan by the disputes of cash balances, defense stores, and
Kashmir and canal water.

Good Relations with Neighbors

No country could change her neighbors. Till 1971, Pakistan had a unique geographical location having one
thousand miles distance between East and West Pakistan. East Pakistan was surrounded by India in three
sides with only approach from the sea which could not be difficult for India to control. This geographical factor
caused heavy defense burden for Pakistan. West Pakistan (now present Pakistan) is also surrounded by three
big powers, Russia, former USSR at the top, the people republic of China in the North-East and India in the
South and East. No other small country in the world has such dubious distinction with three mighty neighbors.

Establishment of Peace
Pakistan wants establishment of peace throughout the world. Pakistan has also protested against aggressive
powers desires, and supported the oppressed nations for getting the peace. Pakistan has repeatedly invited
India to negotiate peace in South Asia but it has rejected every move.

6) Culture of Pakistan
Culture may be defined as an integral whole which affects human ideals, actions and modes of living.
According to E.B. Taylor, "Culture is a complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, customs
and all other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of a society." to its Islamic nature and rich
historical Every great nation enjoys its own culture. Similarly, Pakistani culture is very distinct due background.
There are many aspects of culture of Pakistan; few of them are discussed below;

Many different languages are spoken in Pakistan

The official number of languages actively spoken in Pakistan is between 73 and 76. This means that within
hours as you travel between the country’s districts, there are languages that other groups in different regions
do not speak. The most popular languages, however, belong to the largest ethnic groups with their own
modern and ancient literature. Most languages in Pakistan belong to the Indo-Iranian language group,
including Urdu, the national language.

The people are friendly, but gender segregation still exists

Due to Islamic and tribal influences, non-urban regions of Pakistan have varying levels of gender segregation,
while big cities too have conservative expectations in terms of interactions between men and women. Couples
usually don’t hug or kiss in public in a non-platonic way. Regardless of that, the people of Pakistan are helpful,
friendly, approachable and humble.

Family bonds are strong in Pakistan

Family comes first in Pakistan due to religious, cultural, economic and societal values. Pakistani society is not
led by individualism but rather by collectivism, where family and other relationships stand strong.

Pakistanis are very hospitable

Guests, tourists and visitors, whether domestic or international, are always welcomed with open arms. Even
the poorest laborers go out of their way to help new visitors. Cultural and religious beliefs encourage Pakistanis
to show love and respect towards guests. In Islam especially, a guest is a blessing from God, and it is taught
that they must be given the best treatment possible.

Pakistanis are resilient and hard-working

It is common knowledge that the Pakistani nation has suffered from the country’s economic situation with
rampant poverty and high illiteracy. Terrorist attacks and misgovernment have also led to terrible
consequences. Regardless of these sufferings, Pakistan’s spirit lives on and the nation continues to hope and
work for a better future. The people of Pakistan would soar high if they got the sincere political effort and
leadership they deserve.