History

Section III
Early Problems faced by Pakistan at its emergence.
By: Jawad Bajwa
 Initial Problems of Pakistan

What were the Geographical Problems faced by

Pakistan at its emergence?
no natural borders/boundaries so many border
disputed at the very start, vast distances between East
Pakistan and West Pakistan,1000 miles or1400km, so
communication problems, different cultures, traditions
and languages, West Pakistan consisted of Punjab,
Sindh, NWFP(now KPK)and Balochistan and Bengal
was East Pakistan,They had nothing in common.
Initial Problems of Pakistan

What were the Political problems faced by Pakistan at its

emergence?

no government buildings as all were inherited by India, no

senior officials for the government, Muslim League lacked
government experience, Muslim League had more support
in rural areas than in urban areas which ML ineffective very
soon after the creation of Pakistan, less political experience,
geographical distance between East Pakistan and West
Pakistan so difficult to govern as one country, Jinnah’s serious
disease and his early death, after Jinnah there was lack of
leadership skills in rest of the politicians.
Initial Problems of Pakistan

What were the Economic Problems faced by Pakistan at its

emergence?

Pakistan consisted of states with less industries, all industries in

central India, 90% people lived in countryside which is evident
by the fact that there were only 8 towns where population was
100,000 people, all jute mills were in India, Agriculture was not
self-sufficient except jute, 70% jute was produced in East
Pakistan but all jute mills were in India, Pakistan was not a
wealthy country, problems in division of sub-continent’s assets
when British left India.
Initial Problems of Pakistan

What were the Social Problems faced by Pakistan at its

emergence?

Pakistan had 5 different regions, Punjabi’s ,Sindhi’s, Bengali’s,

Balochi’s and Pakhtun’s, they had different cultures, traditions,
languages and lifestyles, they were not united, their demands,
problems and opportunities were different, they were not a
single nation of one kind, only thing they had in common was
Islam, Urdu was not the language they all spoke and even
Bengalis raised serious objection on Urdu being National
Language.
 What was the problem of Accession of Princely
States?

There were 462 princely states in sub continent before

partition, Lord Mountbatten stated that they would not be
granted independence as after independence there was
chance of war, they were given right to choose between
Pakistan and India, Dir, Swat, Chitral, Amb, Hunza,
Bahawalpur, Sylhet joined Pakistan, Controversy between
Pakistan and India over Hyderabad Deccan,
Junagadh and Kashmir.
 What was the Junagadh Issue?

It was a small state, 300 miles South of Karachi,

had a majority of Non-Muslim population, prince/ruler
was Muslim, Prince announced to join Pakistan, a
blockade was imposed by India and soon Junagadh was
short of food, Indian troop invaded and took control of
the area, Government of Pakistan protested to the
United Nations about illegal occupation, but the
Matter remained unresolved.
 What was Hyderabad Issue?

Hyderabad was on of the largest and richest state, had

population of 160 million people, Hyderabad was ruled
by Nizam, a Muslim Ruler, majority population of
Hyderabad had Hindu majority and was surrounded by
India, Nizam wanted to remain Independent, Indian
Government used pressure tactics and forced
Hyderabad to join India, Later Hyderabad filed a
complaint to UNO but it was too late as Indian troops
entered and captured Hyderabad.
What was Kashmir Issue?

Most serious disagreement between Pakistan and India,

Kashmir was one of the largest state in the sub continent, has
border with China, Afghanistan, and Russia, ruler was Non
Muslim, Raja Hari Singh, most of the population was Muslim,
Maharaja Hari Singh badly mistreated Muslims, 200,000
people fled to Pakistan, and Muslim Kashmiris rose in
rebellion and Raja asked for help to India, Indians troops
came in Kashmir and Pakistan also sent troops, firt Indo-Pak
war on Kashmir issue, UNO helped a ceasefire and LOC was
declared, Nehru said referendum would be held in Kashmir
after the situation normalized but no solution was reached,
no referendum had been held till today and “Kashmir Issue”
remains the main source of discontent between two
countries Pakistan and India.
Describe the problems of division of
Financial assets?

It was agreed that assets were to be divided out of the ratio of

17 to India and 5 to Pakistan, Pakistan was to receive Rupees
750 Million of 4 Billion Rupees in the reserve bank, first
installment of 200 Million were paid to Pakistan , then the
Kashmir war broke out over Kashmir issue, India refused to
pay rest of the amount, They thought Pakistan would use that
money to buy weapons, Gandhi persuaded the Indian
Government to pay remaining share of money and Rupees 500
Million were later on paid to Pakistan.
Describe the problems of division of
Military assets?
Pakistan needed armed forces and military equipment to ensure its safety,
initially the British were reluctant to divide the armed forces, later they agreed that they
should divide in ratio 36% to 44% between Pakistan and India, armed forces and officers
were given freedom to opt for whichever country they want, Muslim regiments went to
Pakistan and non Muslims to India, for Pakistan it was a problem that its army comprising
of 150,000 men needed 4,000 officers, there were only 2,500 trained Muslim officers,
Jinnah was forced to appoint 500 British officers temporarily to fill this gap, Pakistan's
first Commander in Chief was also a British officer Gen. Douglas Gracey, all 16 ordinance
(weapon making) factories were in India and India refused to hand over any to Pakistan,
India later agreed to pay 60 Million rupees in lieu of (in place of) handing over ordinance
factories, this money was used by the Pakistan Government to build an ordinance factory
at Wah with th support of Chinese Govt., the military supplies which India agreed to give
to Pakistan did not arrive at times, or when they did, they were often old, worn out,
damaged or obsolete.
What was the Canal Water dispute?

Pakistan is a fertile agricultural country, With not plentiful

rainfall so it relies upon irrigation from canals which draw water
from River Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, During partition most of
the headworks (that control the flow of water of these canals
and rivers) went in Indian Punjab, The Indian Government
promised not to interfere with the supply of water to Pakistan,
Later India stopped Pakistan’s water especially of Bari Doab
Canals, Pakistan called for the matter to be settled by the
International Court but India refused, In 1948, India after an
agreement allowed water supply to Pakistan with a condition
that Pakistan would find alternatives. This issue was finllay
settled when Indus Water Treaty was signed in 1960.
What was the Refugee Problem?

In the years, immediately before and after partition there

erupted too much Communal Violence in India, After the
announcement of Boundary Award (Radcliff Award) situation
got worse, Millions of people (20 Million) migrated between
the borders of two newly born countries, Many people lost
their lives, this was the largest migration witnessed by Earth,
Many people became homeless, Pakistan had poor economy
and weak government, Pakistan had to face a difficult situation
of rehabilitation of refugees which were in such a large
number.