The Riots of 1953 — Page 10
10 the most detested 16 section among the Muslims of India at that time. They found themselves in a wilderness, baffled and befooled. For a couple of years it appeared as if there were no Ahrar in the new State of Pakistan. The Ahmadiyya Community also suffered a most serious loss because of the Partition, a loss greater than any other section of Muslims had suffered in as much as it had been dislodged from its long established Headquarters of its World Organization and had to leave almost all its property in the East Punjab. Inspite of this huge loss the Head of the Community directed its activities immediately and almost exclusively towards making the new State strong and stable and towards this end he delivered a series of lectures from one end of the country to the other. These lectures were universally acclaimed 17 as most instructive and illuminating which, if properly utilized , were calculated to make Pakistan a country, which could successfully compete with other States of the world. He even urged the youth of the Community to join the ranks and fight for the Kashmir cause. A battalion was set up known as ‘the Furqan Battalion’ which under the control of the Pakistan Army went into the field against the Indian Army and made their humble contribution as loyal citizens of the new State. His Excellency, the Commander- in-Chief of the Pakistan, Army, acclaimed the services of the Battalion and the spirit of patriotism manifested by it with the following memorable words: “You impressed us all with your keen n ess to learn and the enthu- siasm you brought with you. You and your officers soon got over the many difficulties that face a young country. “In Kashmir you were allotted an important sector and very soon 16 The Azad, 26. 12. 50; The Zamindar, 20. 9. 47. 17 Ihsan, Lahore, 5. 12. 47.