Opponents had always predicted that Pakistan shall not be administratively and financially viable, and if at all it comes into being it will soon come down as a house of cards.
Problems Pakistan had to face, immediately after partitions, were really massive and a time came when it was sensed that the predictions of anti-Pakistan pundits will come true. But due to the formidable courage and forbearance of the Quaid-e-Azam, and the hard work he put for nation-building combined with the determination of the Pakistani people, and of course with the blessing of Allah Almighty, the heavy odds were overcome within a surprisingly short period of time. In the following lines we shall try to review the efforts made for the solution of problems facing Pakistan in the early days of her independence:
i. Constitution Making
Constitution is the fundamental law of a state. No state can be run without a constitution even for a single day. The first session of Pakistan's Constituent Assembly was called by the Quaid-e-Azam on August 11, 1947, three days before the creation of Pakistan. The Assembly consisted of the legislative members who were elected in the 1945-46 elections from the areas that later became part of Pakistan, or those who had migrated from India to Pakistan. Addressing the Assembly, the Quaid-e-Azam gave a policy statement regarding the principles of policy to be followed by the state of Pakistan in the days to come. He said that the future Constitution of Pakistan will be based on the principles of Islam and it will be democratic in nature. Pakistan will not be a theocracy. The Muslim and the non-Muslim citizens shall enjoy equal civil and political right and no discrimination shall be made on the basis of religion. He directed the Assembly to complete its task of constitution making within minimum possible time. The Government of India Act 1935 was adopted, of course in an amended form, as the interim constitution, and the Quaid-e- Azamat! Azam was elected the first President of the Constituent Assembly.
ii. Formation of the Government
The Quaid-e-Azam became the first Governor General of Pakistan and Liaquat Ali Khan the first Prime Minister. Under the Quaid-e-Azam's guidance the prime Minister formed a five-member Cabinet. Members of this Cabinet were men of outstanding ability. By virtue of his impartial position as Governor General, the Quaid- e-Azam was not supposed to interfere in the Cabinet's affairs, yet due to his exalted position and meritorious services for the cause of Pakistan, the cabinet decided to seek guidance from him and gave him the power to even veto the cabinet decisions.
iii. Guidance for the Public Servants
Responsibilities of the civil and military functionaries greatly increased due to circumstances the state of Pakistan was faced with, in her early days after independence. The Quaid-e-Azam gave them courage and impelled them to work tirelessly for the great task of nation building that lie ahead them. Addressing a meeting of the civil and military officers at Karachi in October 1947, the Quaid-e-Azam sympathized with those who had lost their nears and dears during the process of migration. Addressing the public servants on March 25, 1948, the Quaid-e-Azam told them that they were no more the rulers of the people, they were their servants and they should serve them with dedication and humility.
iv. Nation's Confidence Building
The common man was greatly demoralized and disappointed due to the sufferings that had come in the wake of migration. In addition to this, the negative propaganda of the enemies of Pakistan was creating hell on earth, they were trying to assure people that Pakistan was not going to last long, it was only a few days' time before it will come down like a house of cards. To dispel the negative effects of this propaganda the Quaid-e-Azam had to approach people in the remotest parts of the country despite his failing health. He gave the people courage and hope. He assured people that Pakistan was born to live and it will last forever and the conspiracies of the enemies of Pakistan will soon die out.
Other Important Steps
i. Karachi was made the capital of the Republic of Pakistan.
ii. The Quaid-e-Azam made it clear that Urdu and only Urdu can be Pakistan's national language.
iii. To solve the financial problems, the Quaid-e-Azam set up a "Refugee Fund" and requested people to make generous contributions to the fund. He took personal interest in the establishment of the State Bank and it was completed within the short time of 11 months. The Quaid-e-Azam himself inaugurated the Bank on July 1, 1948.
iv. The Quaid-e-Azam established the "Federal Court", the highest court of justice in the country; this was the first step towards the establishment of a basic structure for the administration of justice. (Its name was later changed to the "Supreme Court of Pakistan").
v. The Quaid-e-Azam gave special attention to the rehabilitation of refugees. Due to the sacrifices made by the people the enormous task of rehabilitating millions of refugees was successfully accomplished within a very short period of time.
