the PROMISE OF PAKISTAN

Series

Series Name

The March of Time 15th Year

Issue

Issue No.

5

Date Released

1950

Length of issue (in feet)

1601

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1the PROMISE OF PAKISTAN

Story

Story No. within this Issue

1 / 1

Summary

The March of Time synopsis: This latest March of Time brings to the screen a study of a young nation - though its population of eighty million ranks fifth in size among the countries of the world, and the average Pakistani leads a life that varies little from that of his ancestors on the same land generations ago.
As elsewhere in Asia, religion is a dominant influence. After the creation of the new Muslim nation, believers in Islam poured in from India in great numbers and the open hostility between India’s Hindus and Pakistan’s Muslims added to the deteriorating political relations between the two countries. The chief dispute centred on the disposition of Kashmir, whose Muslim majority was determined to join Pakistan though its Hindu government acceded to India. Further complicating the issue was the strategic importance of the territory to the nations which adjoin it, and the vexing question of Pakistan’s irrigation system, dependent on rivers whose sources are in Kashmir and India. After months of military operations for control of the area, a cease-fire agreement was brought about through the mediation of United Nations, which was further strengthened by meetings between the Prime Ministers of the two countries.

Split into two non-contiguous areas, the only surface supply route between the two sections of Pakistan is by sea from the deep-water port of Chittagong in East Pakistan to Karachi, principal port of West Pakistan on the Arabian Sea. One of the few countries of Asia to have a favourable balance of trade with the hard-money nations of the world. Pakistan is more than able to offset the value of its imports of machinery and other goods by the exportable surplus of jute, cotton and wheat. As Pakistan is chiefly an agricultural country, farming is the main occupation of the population. West Pakistan raises ninety-nine per cent of the total wheat harvest, amounting to more than three million tons a year, and since this production is more than sufficient for the needs of the entire country, the balance of the crop - some six hundred thousand tons - is available for export. Jute, used for sacking and in carpets, linoleum and upholstering, is the principal source of financial income to East Pakistan, where more than three-quarters of the world’s supply is raised. But as the nation was left without a jute mill when British India was partitioned, the fibre could not be processed there.

The young nation’s concern for its people is everywhere apparent, and in the smallest villages schoolmasters are at work combatting illiteracy, teaching the children the fundamentals of the Urdu language. For Pakistan is determined that future generations shall be educated to assume the responsibilities of citizenship. In the new age of enlightenment, Pakistan’s achievements and problems are broadcast to all parts of the land, and the people are kept informed of their country’s development and place in international affairs. At a time when propaganda is triumphing over truth in many parts of the world, says the film, Pakistan boasts complete freedom of the press and though these freedoms have not been easy to achieve the people of Pakistan today are certain that their young country will grow and prosper, and will in the years ahead continue to win the respect of the other free nations of the world.

Researcher Comments

This story was made for the British edition and was not shown in the USA.

Keywords

Politics and government

Written sources

The March of Time Promotional Material   Lobby Card, Used for synopsis

Credits:

Production Co.

Time Inc.