PREFACE
Quaid e Azam became the first governor-general of Pakistan after independence. The last Viceroy of the sub-continent, Lord Mount Batten, came to Karachi on 13 August 1947. On the night between 14 and 15 August, he shifted the rulership to Pakatan from the British Government. The Qaid Azam, the next day, on 15 August, took oath as Governor General in the presence of Justice Abdul Rasheed. Pakistan started existence on this historical day. The Quaid e Azam, as Governor General, gave unforgettable services for the stability of Pakistan.
SERVICES OF QUAID-E-AZAM
An overview of the services of the Quaid-i-Azam, a Governor General of Pakistan, is as follows.
- The formation of the First Cabinet
- Flying of the national flag
- Correct use of Limitless Authorities
- Making the framework of central order
- Encouragement of Muslim government officer
- Advice to the Government officer
- Settlement of emigrants
- Revival of doomed spirits.
- Removal of Waziristan and Tribal Areas
- Steps to mitigate tension with India
- Transfer of Karachi to govt of Pakistan
- Accession of Kalat
- State Bank of Pakistan
- Establishment of the Federal Court
- Membership of UNO
- Relation to the Islamic World
1. THE FORMATION OF THE FIRST CABINET OF PAKISTAN
The Quaid-i-Azam formed the first cabinet of Pakistan on 15 August 1947, which consisted of 7 members and was later creased to 12 members. Later, he added more members to the cabinet. His cabinet worked day and night to give strength and stability to the weak infrastructure of Pakistan.
2. ORDERS FOR FLYING OF NATIONAL FLAG
The Quaid-i-Azam gave orders to fly the National Flag to Maulana Shabbir Ahmed Usmani in Karachi and Maulana Zafar Ahmed Ansari in Dhaka on 15 August 1947.
These two religious scholars were given this honour because of the excellent services provided by religious scholars in the struggle for Pakistan.
3. CORRECT USE OF LIMITLESS AUTHORITY
Because of his limitless authority, the Quaid-i-Azam supervised all the essential state problems, foreign affairs, and state and boundary affairs. While appointing the governor, special care was taken for the peace and harmony of the country.
In short, under his rulership, Pakistan remained safe from narrow-mindedness and prejudice and remained on the path of progress because of the correct use of authority
4. MAKING THE FRAMEWORK FOR CENTRAL ORDER
The Quaid-i-Azam started making the framework and order of centres in every problematic condition. The India Civil Service was converted to the Pakistani Civil Service. Junior Muslim Civil Officers were promoted and appointed to higher administrative posts to improve the system.
Quaid-i-Azam kept the British officers working in civil and military departments by requesting that the British government rebuild the armed forces and other departments.
5. ENCOURAGEMENT OF MUSLIM GOVERNMENT OFFICERS
The Quaid-i-Azam encouraged the army and civil officers in his address in Khaliq Dina Hall Karachi on 11 October 1947, in which he said
To strengthen the foundations of Pakistan, we need to work and more work.
6. ADVICE TO GOVERNMENT OFFICERS
While addressing the government officers on 25 March 1948, the Quaid-Azam advised them to keep a friendly attitude towards the people; he said
You should fulfil your duties as the servants of the nations. Your attitude towards the people should be polite and close, so they consider you friends and servants, not rulers.
7. SETTLEMENT OF EMIGRANTS
The Quaid-i-Azam, as Governor General, established a reel fund for the emigrants. A ministry for emigrants was formed. Rala Ghazanfar Ali Khan was made the head of the settlement of refugees.
8. REVIVAL OF DOOMED SPIRIT
He had realized that the morale of the public was at its lowest ebb. Therefore, he decided to rehabilitate and restore the people’s confidence. He delivered inspiring speeches which filled people with enthusiasm. His words made a profound impression on the public and mitigated the existing despair and tension.
9. REMOVAL OF MILITARY FROM WAZIRISTAN AND TRIBAL AREAS
The events justified the decision to reduce forces from Waziristan and Tribal areas. This step seemed to cause a considerable increase in the tribal. Instead of heavy military expenditure, Pakistan concentrated on economic amelioration, spirit education, and medical relief.
10. STEPS TO MITIGATE TENSION WITH INDIA
Jinnah’s Govt followed a policy of goodwill and friendliness towards India. The two PMs were able to establish personal reports. In an interview with a Swiss journalist, Jinnah offered to agree with a joint defence.
11. TRANSFER OF KARACHI TO GOVT. OF PAKISTAN
A serious question of the separation of Karachi from Sindh arose. The Sindhis, in general, and the Sindh Government, In particular, opposed the transfer of administrative control of Karachi, the capital of Pakistan and Sindh. Jinnah was facing the threat of direct action and mass agitation.
Nevertheless, he gave his verdict in favour of the transfer of Karachi from Sindh to the government of Pakistan. As this was the verdict of the father of the nation, not a single word was uttered against it, and the issue was settled.
12. STATE BANK OF PAKISTAN
He fully realized the financial problem and the need for sound financial institutions. He, therefore, took a personal interest in the economic activity of the newly independent state and established SBP.
13. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FEDERAL COURT
Being the constitutionalist and apostle of indiscriminate justice. He laid the foundation of the Federal Court at Lahore, which later became the Supreme Court.
14. MEMBERSHIP OF UNO
Jinnah firmly believed in peaceful coexistence and fully realized the importance of UN MEMBERSHIP FOR Pakistan. It could keep Pakistan established friendly relations with other member states. Therefore, Pakistan became the UNO.
15. RELATION WITH THE ISLAMIC WORLD
Jinnah was a staunch behever of Muslim.nity. Even during the freedom movement, he supported Palestinians and Indonesians as members due to his untiring efforts in the night of self-determination. The cornerstone of his foreign policy was solidarity among Muslim ummah. His main emphasis was on Middle Eastern countries. He sent delegations to different Islamic countries.
FINAL NOTE
Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s founder, was a great politician and organizer. The way he took steps for the stability of Pakistan in such a short time after its creation was indeed only his achievement. The national interests remained safe only because of his superior virtues and capabilities. In a very short time, the newly formed state of Pakistan was on the path of progress.
REFERENCES
- Pakistan Studies by Waqar Ahmad Cheema
