Role of Punjab in the Making of Pakistan
9th Class Pakistan Studies Notes
Role of Punjab in the Making of Pakistan
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Introduction
Punjab is the largest province of Pakistan. Lahore is the capital of
Punjab. Lahore is an historical city. Lahore has always been the centre
of political activity. So this province is called elder brother. This
province played an important role in the existence of Pakistan.
Strong Support for Pakistan
Punjab took active part in every political or non-political activity.
In the same way in Pakistan Movement, Punjab played its important role.
Allam Iqbal
Allama Iqbal took part in practical politics and created the wave of
freedom in the Muslims. He was the member of Provincial Council of
Punjab. In 1930 he gave the sketch of separate homeland for the Muslims
in his Allahabad session. That is why he is called the Painter of
Pakistan. He gave very useful suggestions to Quaid-e-Azam and showed his
complete confidence in his leadership. Quaid also respected Allama
Iqbal. He said during Pakistan Movement, "If we succeeded in getting a
separate homeland for the Muslims and at one side I am given the
president-ship and at other side the books of Iqbal; I will select the
books of Iqbal." In 1931-1932 in London, Iqbal joined Round Table
Conference so that the political problems of sub continent could be
solved.
Maulana zafer Ali Khan
Zafar Ali Khan also belonged to Punjab. He was a high rank generalist,
national hero and a great poet. "Zamindar" was his famouse newspaper in
Urdu. He founded "Majlis-e-Ahrar". This party launched a movement
against Kadiyanis. He stated the aims of Muslim League well by his pen
and tongue when he joined it. In 1936 elections, he was elected as the
Member of Assembly on Muslim League ticket and after this he remained on
the front in the struggle for independence. Iqbal said about Zafer Ali
Khan:
"What work Mustafa Kamal Ataturk did for Turkey by his sword, Zafer did the same work for the Muslims by his pen."
Chaudhry Rehmat Ali
chaudhry Rehmat Ali who suggested this name for Pakistan in 1932 lived
in Punjab. In those days he was studying in London. He made Muslims
emotional by his pamphlet, "Now or Never". He invented Pakistan by : P
for Pakistan, A for Afghani, F for Frontier Province, K for Kashmir, S
for Sindh and Tan for Baluchistan.
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Pakistan Resolution
Muslim League slowly set its feet in Punjab. In the beginning some
local and provincial political parties opposed Muslim League but later
on, Muslim League became the most effective political party of Punjab
under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam. On 23rd March 1940, there was held
a meeting in Lahore in which Pakistan Resolution or Lahore Resolution
was passed in which Pakistan as a separate homeland for the Muslims was
demanded. Now-a-days Minar-e-Pakistan is standing at that place.
Lahore As the Heart of Pakistan
Quaid-e-Azam rightly said "Lahore is the heart of Pakistan."
Effective Pakistan Movement
Muslim League became the most active emotional party in Punjab under
the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam. People from all groups of Punjab joined
Pakistan Movement.
Muslim League in Punjab Assembly
Muslim League took part in 1945-46 elections on the basis of demand for
Pakistan and won particular seats in the central assembly for Punjab.
In provincial elections, Muslim League won 75 seats out of 86. After
this four other members joined Muslim League. So Muslim League got 79
seats, in this way Muslim League became the biggest party in Punjab. But
the English governor of Punjab, instead of offering the Muslims League
to make government, offered the government to Congress and Unionists
party by conspiracy. Because of this, government did not have the
support of the people. Muslim League launched "No Confidence Movement"
and as a result, it had to resign soon.
Wrong Division of Punjab
It was decided that the province of Punjab should be divided between
India and Pakistan. For this purpose an English Judge Radcliff was
appointed as president of Commission that by conspiracy with Mountbatten
and Congress gave most fertile areas of Muslim majority to India and
the population of those Muslim areas left their homes and had to migrate
to Pakistan.
Disturbances and the Problem of Immigrants
When Hindus and Sikhs saw that sub-continent is being divided against
their interest they started disturbances in some regions of Punjab in
which thousands of Muslims were killed and injured. In this play of fire
and blood, the Muslims of Punjab proved very courageous and welcomed
the refugees coming from India and proved that the Muslims are brothers
of each other in the hour of need