Describes early problems faced by Pakistan as an independent state.
Major events between 1947 and 1973 are given in a timeline. Foreign relations between Pakistan and power states such as China,Former USSR and US are also described.
An Overview of the History of Pakistan: 1947 - 1973
1. Pakistan Early problems:-
ď‚· Unfair and delayed division of financial assets (700/750) for PAK,
Development board and state bank set up in 1948.Geographical location of
east and west made economy unstable
Award of Calcutta to India also created economic problems
ď‚· Unfair and delayed division of defence and military assets (36/64), no
ordnance factories given to PAK. Wah Ordnance factory established.
Outdated weapons and equipment given to Pak
ď‚· Refugee problem, Many muslims were massacred on their journey to
Pakistan particularly in the Punjab region of both Pak and Ind. Refugee
relief fund established.
ď‚· Water dispute. Sutlej and Ravi flow stopped in 1948. Indus water treaty
signed in 1960. Chenab ,Jhelum and indus control given to Pak. and efforts
were made to build dams and irrigation systems. Only 2 out of the required
5 or 7 dams were built in the duration specified by the treaty. World Bank
assisted.
ď‚· Establishment of admin. and govt. machinery. Civil services rules based on
Chaudhri Muhammad Ali’s ideas. Pay commission established in 1948.
ď‚· Accession of princely states:
o Junagadh …. Muslim ruler, Hindu majority …… accession to Pakistan
but India annexed Junagadh
o Hyderabad …. Did not accede but signed treaties for defence and
foreign policy with India, India later invaded Hyderabad and despite
resistance , was able to take control and divided the state.
o Kashmir…. Hindu ruler, muslim majority …. Ruler decided to accede
to India under pressure and India sent troops to control. Pakistan
filed complaints with UNO. Tribal muslims fought for freedom. India
rejected all UNO proposals and decrees for referendum.
ď‚· Provincialism and sectarianism
ď‚· Linguistic riots
1951 – Liaqat Ali Khan assassinated
2. 1951 – Ghulam Mohammed becomes Gov-Gen and Khawaja nazimuddin become
PM, KN’s tenure marred by civil unrest, Linguistic riots
1954 – Muhammad Ali Bogra becomes PM, one unit scheme imposed but not
favoured by all stakeholders in government, Pak enters SEATO and CENTO ,
angers USSR
Multiple PM changes occurred between 1954 and 1957 , H. Suhrawardy, C . M. Ali
, Bogra, F Noon.
1956 – First constitution presented ( Islamic Republic , Islamic provisions)
1958 – Martial law imposed by Iskander MIrza , Ayub Khan became CMLA
Basic democracies system introdcuced. Iskander mirza sacked
1960 - Presidential elections took place in and AK won against FJ
1962 – a new constitution drafted
1960 – 65 : Economic growth bolstered by industrial growth, Islamabad becomes
new capital ( official 1967), Family planning programmes , Women rights
promotion, Indus water treaty signed , East and West divide grows
1965 – Pakistan – India war over Kashmir
1966 – 1969 : Ayub Khan’s Popularity declines, opposition and poor treatment of
the foreign Minister ZAB and he resigns in 69
1969 – Martial Law declared by General Yahya Khan
1970 – Elections held and Awami League won in East and PPP in west, New
constitution to be drafted in 60 – 100 days. Mujib ur rehman pushed for
autonomy for East, ZAB rejected that.
1971 – National Assembly suspended. Mujib launches civil disobedience. Yahya
meets with Mujib in Dhaka to solve issues. Talks broke down and military action
launched against Politicians in East.
Civil War ensued, Bengalis instigated by India to proclaim Independence and fight.
Against West. Bangladesh created. ZAB becomes CMLA.
3. 1972 – Simla agreement signed between India and Pak. Preventing Pak. from
taking Kashmir issue to foreign platforms, steel mills established at Karachi with
help from USSR
1973 – New constt. Presented and adopted. ZAB becomes PM
1973 – 1977 Nationalization of industries , educational institutes occurs. Nuclear
Programme started. Land reforms, ZAB becomes increasingly autocratic.
1977 – Elections occur, PPP victory, opposition parties align to declare elections
fraudulent, ZUH imposes martial Law to prevent chaos.
1978 – ZUH becomes president
1979 – ZAB hanged
1988 – Zia dissolves NA and Junejo cabinet , introduces Shariat Ordinance , ZUH
dies in plane crash, Elections held and Benazir Bhutto becomes PM
1990 – Benazir govt. dismissed and Nawaz Sharif Becomes PM
1993 – Benazir’s 2nd
time
1997 – Nawaz’s second time
1998 – UNSC deny nuclear power status to PAK
1999- Musharraf imposes Martial Law
Foreign Policy:
Year INDIA CHINA USA USSR
1947 - 49 Poor due to
early
problems
Pak
acknowledges
China as a
Sovereign
state and
support its
inclusion into
UN
Aid from USA
USA detests
Pak support
of china
4. 1950 poor LAK visits USSR invites
LAK but LAK
visits US
instead
1954 Pak joins
SEATO and
CENTO , Poor
relations
result, USSR
supports india
in Kashmir
issue
1960 - 1961 Good, Ayub
khan aligns
with west
U2 plane
incident
occurs ,
relations
worsen but
get better
when ayub
khan visits
USSR
1962 Pak resolves
border
disputes with
china
US support to
India in Indian
– Sino war
angers Pak
1965 war China aids Pak
in War with
India
US provides
no aid or
support
1971 war No support
from US
USSR supports
India
1972 -73 poor China
provides
economic aid,
steel mills
Pak’s Nuclear
program not
approved by
US
USSR provides
economic aid,
steel mills, oil
and gas explo.