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01 Early Problems of Pakistan
Course: End of Life: Issues and Perspectives (BEHS 380)
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Students shared 10 documents in this course
University: University of Maryland Global Campus
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Lecture 15
Pak301
The Problems of the New State
The attainment of independence brought an end to one phase of the struggle and marked
the beginning of a new one for setting up and running a viable, stable and prosperous state.
Pakistan began its independent life under very difficult and unfavorable circumstances. Pakistan
faced serious problems in the initial stages.
1. New Administration
2. Division of Assets
3. Integration of Princely States
4. Communal Riots and Arrival of Refugees
5. Canal water and trade issues
1: New Administration
The shortage of trained human power especially senior officers was a serious problem in
the setting up of federal government in Karachi. Most of them had migrated to India. There was a
shortage of office space, equipment and furniture. This disturbed the direct connections between
the federal government and provincial governments. On the other hand, the provincial
governments were overburdened that needed very accurate connection between the centre and
the provinces to solve the problems of the Muslim refugees who had nothing to eat, drink, wear,
rest, etc. To counter the critical situation, the official system should have been efficient but due to
the lack of all these facilities the administrative authorities were painfully facing difficulties.
2: Division of Assets
The Indian government was not cooperative for transfer of record and equipment to
Pakistan. The civil administration was not handing over the promised financial, military, and other
shares that created mountainous hurdles to eradicate the pains and miseries of the refugees.
Financial Assets
The full financial share of Pakistan was not transferred. Initially rupees 200 million were
transferred that were not sufficient to meet the expenditures of the newly born state. The Indian
government was so reactionary that it tried its level best to block these funds to suffocate the
newly born Muslim state as they expected foolishly that Pakistan would collapse and rejoin India
soon after its existence. They did not release the remaining funds until Gandhi’s threat of marn
bert (fast until death). Under this pressure, more funds were sent in early 1948 but no installment
was later paid.
Military’s Division
As far as the problem in dividing man power there was no serious setback because the
division was not in the hand of third person and Muslims were free to come to their dreamland,
Pakistan. Anyhow, their shifting was slow and insecure. There were obstacles in the Pakistan’s
share of weapons, equipment, and stores. The broken and damaged stuff was sent by India.
Pakistan did not get any ordinance factory. Reorganization of the Armed Forces was another
tough job and the there was no army officer up to the rank of colonel. The shortage of
experienced officers convinced British officers to continue their services. This also accelerated
undue promotion in the military services to fill the gap.
3: Integration of Princely States
There were over 560 princely states in India on the verge of the partition of India. About
500 states had joined India before August 15 because of the motivation by V. P. Menon and
Mountbatten. The princes were inclined to honour every gesture of the British representative so
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