The civilian rule in Pakistan from 1955-1958 was unstable due to frequent changes in leadership. Iskander Mirza became the first President in 1955. There were several Prime Ministers during this period including Chaudhry Muhammad Ali, H.S. Suhrawardy, I.I. Chundrigar, and Malik Feroz Khan Noon. Conflicts arose over issues like the separate vs. joint electorate in East and West Pakistan. Frequent changes in ministries in East Pakistan weakened the government. Economic and political problems, as well as the lack of general elections, led President Iskander Mirza to impose martial law on October 8, 1958.