The Rising of the Moon

Jinnah as Governor General

A freedom movement initiated by people gained momentum and ‘the small’ were about to rise when ‘the big’ lost their head. The big did not want to pent up forces of hatred against them to be unleashed. They took strict measures to restrict freedom of the small. This inhumane action proved the last nail in their own coffin and stars favored the small group of freedom fighters.

The birth of Pakistan brought in its wake so many grave problems which threatened the security and the very existence of Pakistan. Its enemies were constantly busy to strangulate Pakistan at its birth. But there was Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Quaid-e-Azam, and his colleagues to steer the ship of Pakistan’s destiny to safety and to security. Nature had gifted him with a giant’s strength in so far as his determination was concerned to accomplish tasks that he set before himself.

The Bill of Partition was drafted and duly passed by the British Parliament and finally received the Royal Assent on 18^th July, 1947. The Independence Act of 1947 provided the legislation supremacy of the two dominions which were given full powers to make laws, having extra territorial jurisdiction. The British government finally approved that it was to have no control over the affairs of the dominions after 15^th August 1947. The Act provided the partition of Indo Pak Sub-continent . Hence, by virtue of this Act Pakistan came into existence and emerged on the world map on 14^th August 1947.

It was fortunate that we possessed a leader of Jinnah’s caliber during the struggle for Pakistan. It is true, that the destinies of nations are molded by their innermost urges and their will to achieve their purpose of existence. But if they fail to produce a leader of the necessary ability and stature at the crucial moment, their urges may be frustrated and their determination may prove of little avail.

Separate provincial governments were set up for Pakistan and India on 20^th July 1947. On 7^th August, 1947, for the last time, Jinnah left India for Karachi; the then capital of Pakistan, the town where he had been born, seventy years before, to become the first Governor General of Pakistan. He was elected by the Constituent Assembly on 11^th August, 1947.

Pakistan officially became free on August 14^th, 1947, which was the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan. Jinnah took the oath and formed Cabinet with Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan as Prime Minister and others who were at the vanguard of the freedom movement.

“The creation of the new state has placed a tremendous responsibility on the citizens of Pakistan”, said Jinnah. “It gives them an opportunity to demonstrate to the world how a nation containing many elements can live in peace and amity and work for the betterment of all its citizens irrespective of cast or creed. “Our objective should be peace within, and peace without. We want to live peacefully and maintain cordial friendly relations with our immediate neighbours and with the world at large.”

Pakistan appeared on the map of world just as the Rising of the New Moon which had hardly any parallel in the annals of history for its being an ideological state with Quaide-e-Azam as its shining star.