National State of Pakistan
National State of Pakistan
Formed in the aftermath of the Afghano–Indian War of 1945–46, the National State of Pakistan emerged as one of South Asia’s most militarized and ideologically driven nations. Born from the collapse of the remaining structures of British India and the fragmentation of the unstable Indian Republic, Pakistan became both the spark and the sword of a regional realignment that reshaped the subcontinent.
Origins of the State
The origins of Pakistan trace back to the chaos that followed India’s defeat against Afghanistan. Encouraged and supported by the Kingdom of Afghanistan, Pakistani nationalist officers, tribal leaders, and anti-Hindu militias launched an armed uprising in western India. Within months, Lahore, Karachi, and Peshawar declared independence, forming a provisional government under General Rahim Khan, a decorated officer of the former British Indian Army who had turned against New Delhi.
By early 1946, Pakistan was formally recognized by Afghanistan and several Middle Eastern states sympathetic to its anti-communist and pan-Islamic direction. The new nation adopted the title “National State of Pakistan” (Qaumī Riyasat-e-Pākistān) to emphasize unity between military leadership and national revival. The capital was established in Karachi, while Lahore served as the administrative and military center.
Government and Ideology
General Rahim Khan’s government combined elements of nationalism, Islamism, and corporatist organization. Traditional political parties were dissolved and replaced by the National Restoration Council, a military-civilian body inspired by European authoritarian models.
Despite its militaristic nature, the regime maintained strong ties with Afghanistan and became a founding member of the Afar Mountain Pact, a regional alliance including Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The Pact emphasized mutual defense, intelligence coordination, and economic cooperation aimed at resisting Indian and Western influence.
Armed Forces
Born directly from war, Pakistan’s army became its most respected institution. It was equipped with:
- Surplus German and Soviet hardware, indirectly supplied through Reichskommissariat Kaukasus
- Older British-made vehicles and weapons captured during the conflict
- Air units operating captured Indian Spitfires, Soviet Yak-9 fighters, and Afghan-supplied Heinkel He 111 bombers
The force was compact but elite, shaped by mountain warfare and rapid mechanized operations during the Afghano-Indian War.
Challenges and Internal Situation
Though war had granted Pakistan sovereignty, it inherited a fragile peace. Ethnic tensions among Punjabis, Pashtuns, and Sindhis continued beneath the surface. Economic reconstruction lagged behind rapid military expansion, creating dependence on Afghan and Middle Eastern aid.
Still, by late 1946, the National State of Pakistan stood as a proud new power in South Asia — a nation forged in conflict, bound by faith, and guided by generals who saw themselves as the guardians of a new Islamic order.
