Liaquat Ali Khan and his Relations with Quaid e Azam and Major Achievements

The relationship between Liaquat Ali Khan and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, (Quaid-e-Azam),
was a complex one, marked by both deep loyalty and occasional tensions. They met
for the first time in London in the early 1930’s. Impressed with Quaid’s vision and
dedication for a separate Muslim homeland, Khan became a dedicated follower. Over
time, Khan emerged as one of Jinnah's closest confidantes. During the period 1936
to 1947, Nawabzada Liaquat All Khan was one of the most trusted lieutenants of the
Quaid. He played a pivotal role in mobilizing support for the demand of a separate
Muslim homeland in British India. Liaquat Ali Khan's oratory skills, organizational
abilities, and dedication to the cause were instrumental in negotiations leading to
Pakistan's creation. Historical accounts suggest occasional disagreements on
strategy. For instance, some sources hint at differing views on the timing of
demanding a separate Muslim state.
“On the i4th, of August, 1947, Pakistan came into existence as an independent
sovereign State. On 15th August was issued the first notification of the Government
of Pakistan, wherein It was notified that Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah “has
been appointed by His Majesty to be the Governor-General of Pakistan”. Another
notification, issued on the same day, said that “The Governor-General has been
graciously pleased to appoint Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan, Mr. 1. I. Chundrigar, Mr.
Ghulam Mohammad, Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar, Mr. Ghazanfar Ali Khan, Mr. Jogendra
Nath Mandal, Mr. Fazlur Rahman to be Ministers of the Government of Pakistan”.
Nawabzada Liaquat All Khan was designated in the notification to be the Prime
Minister and in charge of Foreign Afhiirs and Commonwealth Relations and Defence” .
Their complementary roles in the nascent state reflected their shared vision for
Pakistan's future. Quaid-e-Azam focused on diplomacy and statecraft, while Liaquat
Ali Khan spearheaded efforts to consolidate the new nation's foundations.
The relationship between Liaquat Ali Khan and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
soured at certain points, particularly in the later stages of the Pakistan Movement
and during the early years of Pakistan's independence. While there were no
documented instances of their relationship becoming overtly bitter, there were
moments of disagreement and tension, often stemming from differing perspectives on
governance and policy decisions, specially on matters of the role of the central
government versus provincial autonomy, economic policies, and the management of
social unrest. Other matters in which both the Quaid and Liaquat Ali Khan differed
were economic policies and land redistribution. While Liaquat Ali Khan advocated
for measures to address socioeconomic inequalities and uplift the rural poor, there
were concerns among some quarters about the potential impact on landowners and the
stability of the agrarian economy.
Other matters in which differences arose between the two great leaders.
- Differences in opinion over administrative appointments, allocation of
resources, and the handling of civil unrest occasionally strained the relationship
between the two leaders.
- The Kashmir conflict emerged as a major point of contention between Liaquat
Ali Khan's government and Quaid-e-Azam Jinnah's vision for Pakistan's foreign
policy. Liaquat Ali Khan advocated for a more assertive stance on the Kashmir
issue, including diplomatic and, at times, military intervention. However, Quaid-e-
Azam Jinnah preferred a diplomatic resolution and sought to avoid direct conflict
with India, leading to disagreements over the best course of action.

Achievements as Prime Minister of Pakistan

Liaquat Ali Khan's government laid the foundation for Pakistan's constitutional
framework, which would shape the country's governance structure for decades to
come. One of his key achievements was the drafting and adoption of the “Objectives
Resolution in 1949”. This resolution outlined the guiding principles for the future
constitution of Pakistan, emphasizing democracy, equality, and social justice.
1. Sovereignty Belongs to Allah: The resolution asserted that sovereignty over
the entire universe belongs to Allah alone. It recognized Islam as the foundational
principle of the future state of Pakistan.
2. Authority Derived from Allah: It declared that the authority to be exercised
by the people of Pakistan would be a trust from Allah, and the state would be based
on the principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance, and social justice as
enunciated by Islam.
3. Protection of Minorities: The resolution emphasized that adequate provisions
would be made for the protection of minorities, their rights, and interests, and
for the establishment of peace and order in the state.
4. Islamic Way of Life: It affirmed that Muslims shall be enabled to order their
lives in the individual and collective spheres in accordance with the teachings and
requirements of Islam as set out in the Quran and Sunnah.

His Failures
- Failure to Establish Democratic Institutions: Despite being a key figure in
Pakistan's struggle for independence, Liaquat Ali Khan faced criticism for not
doing enough to strengthen democratic institutions. His tenure was marked by
political instability, and he failed to lay a strong foundation for democratic
governance.
- Inability to Address Economic Issues: Economic challenges plagued Pakistan
during Liaquat Ali Khan's premiership. His government struggled to stabilize the
economy, curb inflation, and implement effective economic policies. The country
faced significant fiscal deficits and economic hardships during his tenure.
- Inadequate Land Reforms: Land reforms were crucial for addressing social
inequalities and promoting economic development in Pakistan. However, Liaquat Ali
Khan's government failed to implement comprehensive land reforms effectively. This
failure contributed to ongoing land disputes, unequal distribution of resources,
and social unrest.
- Handling of the Kashmir Issue: Liaquat Ali Khan's approach towards the
Kashmir issue is subject to criticism. Some argue that his government did not
effectively handle the Kashmir dispute with India, failing to secure a resolution
that could have prevented the long-standing conflict over the region.