At midnight on 14 August 1947, the green and white flag of Pakistan was raised for the first time. After decades of political struggle, sacrifice, and unwavering determination, a new nation was born.
The birth of Pakistan was both a moment of immense joy and staggering human tragedy. Simultaneously, one of the largest and most traumatic mass migrations in human history was underway, as millions crossed the new borders in both directions.
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was sworn in as the first Governor-General, and Liaquat Ali Khan as the first Prime Minister, inheriting the enormous task of building a state entirely from scratch.
When Pakistan was created on 14 August 1947, it had no national anthem music ready. A temporary anthem was played until A.G. Chagla's tune was chosen in 1949 and Hafeez Jalandhari's Persianized Urdu lyrics were adopted in 1954.
Source: Radio Pakistan Archives
The Refugee Crisis
Partition triggered one of the most traumatic mass migrations in human history. An estimated 14–17 million people were displaced across the new borders. Communal violence resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands, leaving deep scars on both nations.
Division of Assets
Dividing a single colonial administration into two countries was a monumental administrative challenge. Everything had to be split: civil servants, the military, financial assets, railways, even furniture. Pakistan received its share of assets only after intense negotiations.
Karachi as Capital
Karachi was chosen as the first capital of Pakistan. The city rapidly transformed to accommodate the new government machinery and the thousands of civil servants and refugees who poured in.
The Kashmir Conflict
In October 1947, tribal militias from Pakistan's northwest invaded Kashmir, whose Maharaja had yet to accede to either country. He subsequently signed the Instrument of Accession to India, triggering the first Indo-Pakistani War and leaving the Kashmir dispute unresolved to this day.
Major Events
- 14 August 1947: Pakistan's independence proclaimed in Karachi
- Partition and the migration of approximately 14 million people
- Quaid-e-Azam Jinnah sworn in as first Governor-General
- Liaquat Ali Khan becomes first Prime Minister
- Division of assets and administrative machinery with India
- October 1947: First Kashmir War begins
Key Places
Key Figures
Watch & Learn
1947 Partition of India and Pakistan Documentary (BBC)
A BBC documentary with rare archival footage covering the 1947 partition of India and the birth of Pakistan.
Historical Media
