1941-1947 (THE TRANSFER OF POWER)

The period of 1941-1947 is very important in the political career of Quaid-i-Azam regarding
establishment of Pakistan. The Pakistan Resolution of 23rd March 1940 defined the goal of Pakistan. On
the face of Congress opposition to the Pakistan scheme, Quaid-i-Azam stood firm like a rock. In an
article published in the Times and Tide of London, Quaid-i-Azam reiterated that Hindus and Muslims
are two different nations and insisted on the two nations sharing the governance of their common
motherland.1
The Second World War had a significant effect on the events leading to creation of Pakistan. The British
Government was eager to attain the cooperation of leading parties of India including All India Muslim
League. Quaid-i-Azam elaborated Lord Linlithgow on the League Working Committee’s stance that as a
pre-condition of League’s full cooperation and support to the war effort, the British Government should
give assurance that no policy declaration would be made or any constitution framed without the
approval or consent of the Indian Muslims.2
On August 8, 1940, in a view to gain Indian support, the British Government issued a white paper that
“after the war a constituent Assembly would be formed which will include all the elements of the
national life and its task would be to prepare the framework of the country’s future constitution”.3 The
scheme was called the August Offer. Quaid-i-Azam as a constitutionalist realized the importance of
August Offer and in a meeting of League Working Committee “expressed his satisfaction over the British
Government decision that no future constitution would be adopted without the prior approval and
consent of the League”.4