Problems of new state and accession of princely state
- 1. By: Saif Khalid khan Kakar Lecturer (Civics/Pol. Sci) Pakistan Education Center
- 3. 1. Administrative Problems: Karachi was declared as Capital of Pakistan and all government functionaries were relocated there. There was Shortage of trained personals, Buildings and office equipment. Constituent Assembly was housed in Sindh Provincial assembly and Federal court was relocated to Lahore. Pakistan Became Member of UNO in September 1947. 2. Refugee Problem: As a result of partition 5.5 million Non-Muslims migrated to India from Pakistan and over 6.5 million Muslims migrated to Pakistan from India. Refugee camps were set up in Kasur, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Karachi. According to 1951 Census there were 7.2 million refugees in Pakistan out of a total population of 75.6 million.
- 4. 3. Division of Assets: At the time of Independence there were 4 Billion rupees in the Indian Reserve bank, out of which Pakistan's share was 1 Billion rupees. India refused to pay Pakistan its share and an initial amount of 25 crore was paid. Later on the insistence of Mr. Gandhi 50 crore were paid to Pakistan. India also made Pakistan Liable for 20% of united India's external debt. Similarly India also refused to transfer 33% of all military assets which were reserved for Pakistan. A committee was established under Field Marshal Auchinleck for fare division of military assets but all the recommendations were flouted by Indian government and Defense Minister Sardar Baldev Singh.
- 5. 4. Canal water dispute: During Partition the Headwork's of the three eastern rivers were given to India. After Occupying Kashmir it further gained control of Jhelum and Chenab rivers. On 1st April 1948 it closed the ferozpur Headwork and deprived Pakistan of precious water needed for Agriculture. 5. Economic Problems: In the Pre-partition era Hindu’s dominated the commercial life of the country. During partition they transferred all their revenue/ capital to India. Most of the accountants, businessmen and moneylenders were Hindu’s and after their migration their was a great shortage of financial experts and money. 6. Pakhtoonistan Stunt: Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, Khan sahib and others worked for the congress and harbored Anti-Pakistan Sentiment. They started a movement for an independent Frontier state for Pashtoon's.
- 6. 7. Constitutional Problem: Since the time of their election the members of the constituent assembly were entrusted with the task of framing the constitution. For the time being Pakistan adopted the government of India Act 1935 as the interim constitution with some amendments. Unfortunately the 1st constituent assembly could not frame the constitution up till its dissolution in October 1954 and the first constitution of Pakistan was framed in 1956 Nine years after its creation. 8. Military Problem: There was short of Muslim army officers and some British officers and military trainers had to be employed by Pakistan army. the first army of Pakistan was Sir frank Messer and later Sir Douglas Gracey.
- 7. 9. Accession of Princely States: At the time of partition their were 562 princely states. According to 3rd June plan Rulers of princely states will decide their future but keeping in mind the geographical location/proximity and composition of population. Kashmir, Hyderabad and Junagadh were states which were supposed to accede to Pakistan but India intervened and occupied them forcefully. Kashmir was a Muslim majority state with a non-Muslim ruler Maharaja Hari Singh. The people wanted to be part of Pakistan but the ruler secretly signed accession with India. In Case of Hyderabad the ruler wanted Dominion status but Indian Army Over threw the Muslim ruler Nizam Osman Ali Khan Asaf Jah VII and in this way under operation POLO the State of Hyderabad was annexed by India in September 1948. Junagadh was a state located between Bombay and karachi and had a Hindu majority with Muslim ruler, India also annexed this small state.