First; Led by Gandhi and Nehru, the INC claimed to represent all Indians, including Muslims. It advocated for a united India, vehemently rejected the Two-Nations theory of the ML and called it a British plot to divide and rule. The Quaid exposed these claims by turning the ML into a mass-appeal political party. Consequently,the League won all the Muslim seats in Central Legislative Assembly and 86% of the Muslim seats in the provincial assemblies, in the pivotal 1945–46 general elections. This overwhelming democratic mandate, crushed the Congress narrative, proving both to the British and the world, that the ML was the sole representative of Indian Muslims.

Second; The British government was initially opposed to the idea of partition and Viceroys Linlithgow and later Wavell, preferred to leave behind a united India that could serve as a strategic ally in Asia, after World War II. The British Cabinet Mission of 1946, therefore proposed a federated structure,but the Quaid argued that India had historically never been a single united nation and defended Muslim self-determination. He added that Hindus and Muslims formed two distinct nations with irreconcilable differences in their outlooks, culture, law, and religion. When Congress tried to bypass the ML in forming an interim government after the 1946elections, The Quaid called for “Direct Action Day” on August 16that year, to peacefully demonstrate the strength and determination of the Muslims. These gatherings were attacked by the INC, resulting in widespread violent clashes. This convinced the British, that a peaceful, united India was unviable and compelled Mountbatten, to the announce the Partition

Third; In the 1930s, the ML lacked deep roots among the Muslim masses. Furthermore, powerful Muslim regional leaders opposed the Partition. These included the Unionist Party’s Hayat Tiwana,Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind’s Maulana Madani,Khaksar Tehrik’s AllamaMashriqui, Sindh United Party’s AB Soomro, and the pro-Congress Ghaffar Khan in the NWFP. But the Quaid revolutionized the ML structure and organization,by launching extensive grassroots campaigns to appeal to students, women, and the working class. He successfully co-opted most of the regional leaders and mobilized the Muslim students of Aligarh Muslim University to act as vanguard of the Pakistan Movement. In the NWFP, the League’s message was popularized through the referendum in 1947, where the population overwhelmingly voted to join Pakistan. By framing the struggle as a fight for survival, a fragmented community was united under a single banner

Fourth; The partition brought about the challenge of drawing borders, by the Punjab and Bengal Boundary Commissions, headed by Radcliffe. The demarcation was based on Muslim and non-Muslim majorities areas;however, the final Radcliffe Award was deeply flawed and highly biased. Strategic Muslim-majority areas, such as Gurdaspur district in Punjab were unjustly awarded to India, providing it a direct land route to Kashmir. While the Quaid was deeply disappointed by such injustices, he chose a path of constitutional responsibility over violent resistance. Recognizing that any delay or armed conflict could jeopardize Pakistan’s independence, he accepted the flawed Award under protest and advised the nation to focus on consolidating the new-born state and prioritizing national survival over territorial disputes.

Five; Upon its inception, Pakistan faced immediate security, administrative and economic crises. While the overall allocation of assets between India and Pakistan was fixed at 82.5% for the former and17.5% for Pakistan, this wasn’t followed.As Pakistan didn’t have its own currency: out of IndianRupees 4 billion cash balance held by the Reserve Bank of India;Pakistan’s share was 750 million, but it only received Rs. 200 million, while the rest was withheld by India. Unlike India, which inherited New Delhi as its capital, Pakistan had to build one from a scratch at Karachi. Because British India’s industrial hubs were concentrated in central and southern regions, Pakistan inherited only 4% of industries(34 out of 921). Though East Pakistan produced roughly 75% of the world’s raw jute in 1947, no jute mills were located there and none were relocated from India.Pakistan was allocated one-third of military stores and equipment, but it received only a fraction of its heavy equipment share. Besides, most equipment, sent by rail from warehouses in India was delayed intentionally or intercepted and the ones received comprised obsolete, damaged, and unserviceable scrap. Further, British India possessed 16 military ordnance factories, that were kept by India. Pakistan inherited none.

Sixth; A harrowing humanitarian disaster was triggered by the Partition, due to brutal murders of millions of Muslims across Punjab and Bengal, and mass migrations of mostly penniless, hungry and severely traumatized Muslim refugees, pouring into Pakistan. These people needed immediate food, shelter, and medical care. Pakistan didn’t possess the resources to deal with all this. The Quaid’s health was failing, but he set up a Refugee Fund and made passionate appeals to the citizens of Pakistan for donations, who showed unmatched magnanimity and hospitality to manage the disasters and maintain public order.

We earned independence and secured the nascent state from collapse through the indomitable will,unyielding resolve, selfless devotion,exemplary character, rectitude and charismatic leadership of our founding fathers, supported by the sacrifice and resilience of our ancestors. Their endeavors altered the course of history, modified the world map and created a nation –state. This achievement stands as a compelling testament to and a vivid manifestation of how foundational ideas are transformed into tangible reality. Preserving this historic milestone and marvel, within our collective consciousness will illuminate the path toward our enduring unity, peace, and national prosperity.

The writer is former president NDU   .. Source