Solutions of Early problems of Pakistan

 Q. How were early problems of Pakistan resolved? 

Ans:

Pakistan faced a huge pile of problems right after independence in 1947. Most were handled in the first decade through emergency measures, agreements, and political decisions.

Here are the main early problems and how they were resolved:

1. Administrative and financial setup*

- *Problem*: No capital, no offices, and only 17% of British India's financial assets were given to Pakistan. The civil service was split too.

- *How resolved*: Karachi was made the temporary capital. Government offices were set up in borrowed buildings. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Liaquat Ali Khan focused on building a basic bureaucracy from scratch. India released part of the cash and assets after the Delhi Agreement, though the process was slow and disputed. Many rich Pakistanies donated huge amounts to the govt e.g. Quaid himself donated his all wealth, nawab of Bahawalpur donated money and gold, nawab of Qalat donated money. First bank of Pakistan was established on 1st July 1948 in Karachi to establish the treasury of country with the help of public money. 

2. Refugee crisis*

- *Problem*: ∼10 million Muslims migrated to Pakistan and ∼7 million Hindus/Sikhs left. There was no housing, food, or jobs.

- *How resolved*: Refugee camps were set up in major cities temporarily in the empty buildings of schools and colleges as that was the time of summer break.  Mardi Al camps were established to support the wounded. Local public supported these Muslims financially, by providing food, necessities and emotional support. Everyone worked with sincerity and positivity to help the refugees for re-establishing. The government created a Ministery of Refugee Rehabilitation fund. Land left by departing Hindus/Sikhs was allotted to migrants. International aid and local donations helped with food and shelter. By early 1950s most refugees were resettled with the allocation of leftover properties of Hindus and sikhs, though housing shortages lasted longer. Public also donated genouresly in Quaid I Azam regugees rehabilitation fund. 

3. Division of military and assets*

- *Problem*: The army, navy, air force, and ordnance factories had to be divided.

- *How resolved*: A division process was agreed with India. Pakistan got a smaller share but British officers stayed on temporarily to keep things running. Pakistan started hiring its own soldiers as British soldiers were leaving, weapons share was not given to Pakistan instead India dupmed all weapons of Pakistan's share on Indian Sea shores and after many years Pakistan was asked to pick up those weapons but those were so rusted and finished that those were of no use. Pakistan had already calculated it and had established its own ordinance factory and heavy mechanical factory in Wah Texela. The military of Pakistan quickly took over border security under their own control and a pact of visa implimentation and protection of minorities was also singed between PM Liaquat Ali Khan and Nehru. 

4. Water dispute with India*

- *Problem*: Most canal headworks that fed Pakistani Punjab were in India. India cut water in 1948.

- *How resolved*: The Standstill Agreement was temporary. Quaid's govt even payed for water tax to India for some months but later the application for a permanent solution was presented in United Nations organization. The long-term fix was the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 with World Bank mediation. It gave Pakistan control over the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers.

5. Kashmir conflict*

- *Problem*: Both India and Pakistan claimed Kashmir after tribal invasion and Indian troop landing in Oct 1947. Though Kashmir was a Muslim majority province but suffered Indian oppression due to wrong, unfair division of princely states. Soon after partition in 1948 India Pakistan went on war regarding this but to no avail due to the untimely death of Quaid I Azam. Pakistan army had to backed down and signed a treaty in UN for control line. Pakistan still waiting for the actualization of UN resolution of plebiscite in Kashmir but nothing is done yet. 

- *How resolved*: It wasn't fully resolved. Pakistan took the issue to the UN in 1948. A ceasefire line was established in Jan 1949 under UN supervision. India took advantage of no proper army in the beginning years and entered forces in Kashmir for occupation. First war between India and Pakistan was fought in 1948 on Kashmir border with the help of Tribesmen  of NWFP and local kashmiries. Some part was liberated known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan It remains disputed, but war was stopped.

*6. Constitutional crisis*

- *Problem*: Pakistan had no constitution. It was running under the 1935 Government of India Act. The issue couldn't be resolved well because the person who could guide for the making of a proper constitution was Quaid but his death in 1948 created a vacume and gave way to non experts which delayed this task so much that in 1956 first Constitution could be seen which had a lot of flaws causing the issue lingered and caused further misunderstandings between East and West Pakistan. It caused the resignation of Iskerder Mirza. 

- *How resolved*: After years of debate, the first Constitution was passed in 1956. It declared Pakistan an Islamic Republic and parliamentary democracy. It was a try but not successful to resolve the issue. That was later abrogated, but it ended the legal vacuum.

*7. Economic challenges*

- *Problem*: Pakistan inherited mostly agricultural areas, few industries, and jute/textile trade was tied to India.

- *How resolved*: The government promoted trade with other countries, set up the State Bank of Pakistan in 1948, and launched the first Five-Year Plan in 1955. Aid from the US and membership in SEATO/CENTO also brought economic and military support.

8. Language and national unity*

- *Problem*: Debate over Urdu vs Bengali, and integrating princely states like Bahawalpur, Khairpur, and Kalat.

- *How resolved*: Urdu and later Bengali were declared national languages in 1956. Princely states were persuaded or pressured to accede. One Unit Scheme in 1955 merged West Pakistan provinces to balance East and West Pakistan politically.

Pakistan remained partially successful as none of these were perfect fixes, and some like Kashmir and constitutional instability kept resurfacing. Some issues like Refugees issue, administrative offices and staff was handled well. But the combination of emergency governance, canal water treaties got Pakistan through the first 10 years.