Pakistan was created on 14th August 1947 with the grace of Allah Almighty. However, the country faced several major problems in its early days. The Indian National Congress never accepted Pakistan’s creation sincerely, and leaders like Lord Mountbatten and Sir Radcliffe worked with Hindus to ensure Pakistan remained weak. Despite these challenges, the people of Pakistan remained determined to protect their new homeland.
1. Unjust Boundary Decision by Sir Radcliffe
According to the June 3rd, 1947 Plan, Punjab and Bengal were to be divided based on religious majorities. However, Radcliffe unjustly gave Muslim-majority areas like Gurdaspur, Batala, Zeera, and headworks at Ferozepur and Madhopur to India. This gave India land access to Kashmir and control over water resources that belonged to Pakistan.
2. Administrative Difficulties
After partition, most Hindu officials left Pakistan, leaving offices without trained staff, furniture, or even basic supplies. Many government offices had to operate outdoors. Important records were destroyed before the officials left. Pakistan had to build an entire administration from scratch.
3. Refugee Crisis
Over 12.5 million Muslims migrated from India to Pakistan. Many were attacked and looted during the journey. Providing shelter, food, and clothing for such a large number of refugees was a major challenge for the new government.
4. Unfair Division of Financial Assets
Pakistan was promised Rs. 750 million out of India’s Rs. 4 billion reserve. Only Rs. 200 million was initially given. India delayed the rest and demanded Pakistan withdraw its support for Kashmir. Gandhi’s intervention led to the release of another Rs. 500 million, but the remaining Rs. 50 million was never paid.
5. Military Division Issues
The division of the military was supposed to be in a 64:36 ratio (India:Pakistan). However, India refused to provide Pakistan with its rightful share of weapons and equipment. None of the 16 military factories were given to Pakistan. The Indian attitude forced Field Marshal Auchinleck to resign, worsening the situation.
6. Water Dispute
Pakistan’s rivers—Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas—flow from India. In April 1948, India cut off water flow, affecting agriculture in Pakistan. Eventually, after negotiations and World Bank mediation, the Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960. Under this treaty:
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Pakistan got rights over Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum.
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India retained control of Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.
7. Princely States Issue
Out of 635 princely states, some like Junagadh, Hyderabad, Manavadar, and Kashmir wanted to join Pakistan. India, however, forcibly took control of them, especially Kashmir, which later became a long-standing dispute.
8. Transfer of Government Servants
Government employees had to choose between India and Pakistan. Many Muslims chose Pakistan, but transporting them was difficult. One train was bombed on 8th August. Eventually, air transport was arranged under “Operation Pakistan” with help from Tata Orient Airways.
9. Lack of a Constitution
At independence, Pakistan had no constitution. The 1935 Government of India Act was used temporarily. This caused confusion and power struggles, which eventually led to the separation of East Pakistan in 1971 and ongoing internal divisions.
10. Economic Challenges
Out of 400 factories in the subcontinent, only 14 came to Pakistan. Many fertile areas and mineral-rich lands were given to India. This unfair distribution created major economic difficulties for the new country.
11. Geographical Problems
Pakistan was split into two parts—East and West Pakistan—with 1,750 km of Indian territory in between. There was no direct route connecting the two wings. The cultural and linguistic differences later led to tensions and eventually, the creation of Bangladesh in 1971.
12. Kashmir Conflict
Kashmir was a Muslim-majority state and naturally close to Pakistan. The people wanted to join Pakistan, but the Hindu ruler chose to join India. A war broke out in 1947, and the issue was taken to the UN Security Council, which called for a ceasefire and promised a plebiscite. That vote never happened, and Kashmir remains a disputed region.
13. Hostility from India
Indian leaders always hoped Pakistan would rejoin India. Leaders like Nehru believed in a united India. India created many hurdles for Pakistan, leading to wars in 1948, 1965, and 1971.
14. Pukhtunistan Issue
Afghanistan claimed that Pashto-speaking areas in Pakistan belonged to it. Leaders like Abdul Ghaffar Khan (Sarhadi Gandhi) supported this view, creating unrest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
15. Death of Quaid-e-Azam
Quaid-e-Azam passed away on 11th September 1948, just 13 months after independence. His death was a huge loss. He was the guiding force behind Pakistan, and his absence created leadership issues in the early years.