How successful was Pakistan in solving the problems of Partition during 1947 and

1948? Explain your answer. [14]

Or
How successful was the government of Pakistan in solving the problems of Partition
during 1947 and 1948? Explain your answer. [14]
Or
The government of Pakistan was totally successful in solving the problems of
Partition during 1947 and 1948. Do you agree? Explain your answer. [14]

Ans)

INTRODUCTION :
On 14th August 1947 , Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was sworn as the governor
general of Pakistan.He declared that Pakistan has come to exist forever but the new nation
faced many problems before it could feel secure.Pakistan was not a viable state-
politically,economically,geographically or militarily.

SUCCESSES :

Building a government :
In order to frame a constitution he established the constituent assembly on 10th august
1947, under his chairmanship .Liaqut Ali Khan was appointed Prime minister, and a cabinet
was formed. He addressed the Constituent Assembly on 10 August 1947 , and urged the
need of making a constitution for Pakistan.The 1935 Act was adopted as the interim
constitution with some amendemnts. He declared Karachi as the capital of Pakistan.There
he set up the first civil secretariat and urged the civil servants to dedicate their lives to the
service of the nation.In order to run the administration smoothly, the civil services rules were
drafted.
Building a nation :
The Quaid was opposed to religious intolerance , provincialism and racialism.He toured all
the areas of Pakistan to spread the message of Pakistani nationalism.In order to safeguard
the rights of minorities,and project Pakistan as a tolerant state he adopted the symbolic title
of ‘Protector-General’ of religious minorities.His advice was advice was often sought by the
non-Muslims ,and he inducted a Hindu minister in the cabinet.He emphasised the islamic
ideas about justice and equality demanded that any non-muslims who chose to remain in
Pakistan should be treated fairly. To help the newly arrived refugees he set up a Relief Fund
to rehabilitate them as quickly as possible, and temporarily shifted his headquarter to Lahore
to personally supervise the process of their accommodation.In order to highlight Pakistan’s
peaceful aims, Pakistan joined the UNO in September 1947 and attempted to draw their
attentions towards the Kashmir issue.Jinnah also wanted peaceful relations with India.

Building an economy :

Jinnah inaugurated the State Bank of Pakistan in July 1948 so that Pakistan introduced its
own currency.Pakistani government also presented its first budget in 1948-49 which
indicated Pakistan’s stable economic conditions.He also announced the first industrial policy
of Pakistan which made it clear that it was important to set up industries in Pakistan.India
also gave 700 million rupees to Pakistan.When India closed teh Firozpur and Madhopur
headworks, Pakistan faced serious shortage of water.He negotiated with the Indian
government for the Canal water dispute, and persuaded it not to stop the water altogether
which ensured that Pakistan’s agriculture would not be destryoyed.

Establishing national security :

The Pakistani army needed more officers and so he hired British officers in Pakistani
armies.He inaugurated the headquarters of three armed forces, and negotiated with India for
the release of military and financial assets for the defence of Pakistan.An ordinance factory,
the POF, was set up in Wah.He mobilised the army in the first Indo-Pak war in 1948.He was
determined that army should know that its role was to be the servant of the people and to
not get involved in the government.He continued to work for Kashmir till his death.Jinnah
wanted peaceful relation with India just the US-Canada relations.

FAILURES:

Building a government :

However,the future governments were not able to keep the army away from politics.
This was used as a wrong precedent by the future governor generals.The process of
constitution making was lingered on even after his death as he had to induct some non-
political figures in the cabinet due to a shortage of genuine politicians.
However, Pakistani civil servants worked under extremely difficult conditions as they found
no office equipment, no furniture and very little stationery.
Building a nation :

Declaring Urdu as the only national language was strongly resented by East Pakistan where
all people spoke Bengali.They considered this as a step of West Pakistan’s domination over
East Pakistan.
Unfortunately , millions of refugees continued to suffer after his death because of the
shortage of required resources. All of them could not get medical care, jobs and
accommodation.

Building an economy :

However, despite his best efforts , there was no major industrial development till the 1960’s.
The remaining 50 million rupees to Pakistan were never paid.
The issue of canal waters was , however,fully resolved as late as 1960.

Establishing national security :

In order to resolve the conflict of the three princely states of Hyderabad , Junagadh and
Jammu and Kashmir he could not get any success as India occupied the first two states by
force and imposed a war on Pakistan for Kashmir in April 1948.Thus,Jinnah’s dream of
peaceful relations with India was shattered.

Geographical problems :

Jinnah could do little about the geographical distance of 1000 miles between East and West
Pakistan which would eventually lead to the separation of East Pakistan in 1971.

CONCLUSION :

Jinnah was quite successful in overcoming most of the early problems because of his firm
determination,political insight and strong leadership qualities while suffering from the
terminal stage of pulmonary tuberculosis.