2. Challenges for Pakistan:
Of the provinces of British India, only the comparatively backward
areas of Sind, Balochistan, and the North-West Frontier Province
came to Pakistan intact.
The more developed provinces of Punjab and Bengal were divided.
In the case of Bengal, Pakistan received the densely populated rural
hinterland.
While most jute mills went to India’s West Bengal, East Pakistan was
left with only the jute fields, and no industry to feed into.
Materials from the Indian factories were cut off from Pakistan,
disrupting the new country’s meagre industry, commerce, and
agriculture.
Problems were compounded by the crisis in Kashmir, which
provoked a war between India and Pakistan in the period
immediately following their independence.
Both Pakistan and India intended to make Kashmir a part of their
territories, and the former princely state quickly became disputed
territory— with India and Pakistan controlling portions of it— and a
flash point for future conflicts.
As a consequence of the unresolved war in Kashmir and the
communal bloodshed in the streets of both countries, India and
Pakistan came to see each other as their mortal enemy
3.
4. The New ‘Republic’
1948 Mohammed Ali Jinnah died in September 1948.
Khwaja Nazimuddin, the chief minister of East Bengal, was called on to take up the office of governor-
general.
Known for his mild manner, it was assumed Nazimuddin would not interfere with the parliamentary process
and would permit the prime minister to govern the country
Liaquat was eager to give the country a new constitution.
Delayed by controversy over the distribution of provincial powers and over representation.
East Bengal contained the majority of Pakistan’s population (55%).
The Punjabis argued that East Bengal was populated by a significant number of Hindus, whose loyalty to the
Muslim country was questionable.
Any attempt to provide East Bengal with representation proportionate to its population would be challenged
by Punjab.
At one such meeting, in Rawalpindi in October 1951, he was killed by an assassin’s bullet.
Nazimuddin assumed the role of PM on Liaquat’s death.
Ghulam Muhammad took his place as the governor-general.
5. Nazimuddin as PM meant:
Pakistan would have a weak head of government, and,
With, Ghulam Muhammad as governor-general a strong head of state
1953 Riots erupt in Punjab, over a demand by militant Muslim groups that the Aḥmadiyyah sect be
declared non-Muslim and that all members of the sect holding public office be dismissed.
Nazimuddin unable to quell the riots.
Ghulam Muhammad dismisses the prime minister and his government, after holding them
responsible of the disorder.
Parliamentary government hurt; viceregal powers in display
1954 Provincial elections held in East Bengal
The contest was between the Muslim League government and a “United Front” of parties led by
the Krishak Sramik party of Fazlul Haq and the Awami League of Mujibur Rahman.
Muslim League defeated (completely wiped out) in the elections.
Riots erupt in the factories south of the East Bengali capital of Dhaka, before Fazlul Haq could
form his government.
Using the instability as an excuse, the Central Government established governor’s rule in the
province, and overturned the United Front’s electoral victory
6. Iskander Mirza, a civil servant and minister in the central
government, was sent to rule over the province until such
time as stability could be assured.
The Muslim League’s defeat in East Bengal, and de facto
elimination in the province necessitated realigning the
Constituent Assembly.
Before this could be done, however, the Constituent
Assembly moved to curtail Ghulam Muhammad’s viceregal
powers.
Ghulam Muhammad responded by dissolving the body, and
by reorganizing the central government.
Pakistan’s high court cited the extraordinary powers of the
chief executive and chose not to reverse his action.
The court also ruled that another constituent assembly
should be organized, and that, constitution making should
not be interrupted.
7. 1955 The four provinces of West Pakistan are combined into one administrative
unit.
East Bengal officially renamed to East Pakistan, was to be the other administrative
unit.
The rationale was that, this move would provide parity in any future national
parliament between West Pakistan and East Pakistan.
Ghulam Muhammad retires from office, as a result of illness; Iskander Mirza
succeeds as Governor-General
1956 A new Constituent Assembly completes Pakistan’s long-awaited constitution.
Pakistan declared an Islamic Republic, by the constitution.
The national parliament was to comprise one house of 300 members, equally
representing East and West Pakistan.
Ten additional seats were reserved for women, again with half coming from each
region
The prime minister and cabinet were to govern according to the will of the
parliament.
President would exercise only reserve powers.
Iskander Mirza became Pakistan’s first president.
However, he rarely bowed to the wishes of the parliament.
Mirza dismissed one Prime Minister and government after another, often without a
vote of confidence.
This led to chaos in the provinces, especially in East Pakistan.
Mirza accused of being a dictator
8. Governor Generals:
1. M. A. Jinnah August Sept. 1947-Sept. 1948
2. Kh. Nazimuddin Sept. 1948-Oct 1951
3. Ghulam Mohammad Oct. 1951-Oct. 1955
4. Iskander Mirza Oct. 1955-March 1956
President:
1. Iskander Mirza March 1956-Oct. 1958
Prime Ministers:
1: Liaquat Ali Khan August 1947-Oct 1951
2: Kh. Nazimuddin Oct. 1951-April 1953
3: Muhammad Ali Bogra
(i) April 1953-Oct 1954 Oct.
(ii) 1954-August 1955
4: Ch. Muhammad Ali August 1955-Sept 1956
5: H.S. Suhrawardy Sept. 1956-Oct 1957
6: I.I. Chundrigar Oct. 1957-Dec 1957
7: Firoz Khan Noon Dec. 1957-Oct. 1958
9. 2: Second Phase (1958-69)
Martial Law remained imposed from October 1958 to June 1962. Constitutional
Rule was
restored on June 1962 and remained till the 2nd Martial Law on March 1969.
Ayub Khan took over as Chief Martial Law Administrator (CMLA) and the
President. He
got himself elected through referendum in 1960 and re-elected in January 1965
through
presidential elections.
Important Policy Measures
Important Policy Measures taken by the Ayub government were:
• Administrative Reforms which included removal of unwanted officials, some
1662 in
number.
• Restrictions on political activities. Political leaders were stopped from taking part
in
politics for 6 years on the charge of corruption and other charges under the law
named
EBDO.
• Economic planning was done for industrial development and green Revolution.
• Educational Reforms
• Constitution was introduced.
Downfall of Ayub Khan:
Indo-Pakistan war started and at the end of war Tashkand Pact was signed with
India.
People were not satisfied with this pact. They also resented the election results of
1965. Fruits of
economic development were not distributed at masses level. Wealth of nation
was concentrated
in a few hands. This brought people to agitation and public demand resulted in
10. 3: Third Phase (1969-71)
Ayub Khan handed over power to Army Chief Yahya Khan. He imposed Martial
Law and 1962
Constitution was abrogated. He took some immediate steps:
== Removal of officers 303
== Provinces Revived: March 30, 1970
== Abolition of Parity
== Legal Framework Order (LFO) as interim law issued in March 1970 which
provided basic
principles for:
• Constitution making
• Rules and regulations for elections
• Seats in the assemblies
National Assembly 313 (300 plus 13 women seats)
For East Pak 162 plus 7
West Pak 138 plus 6
General Elections
General Elections were held in December 1970. Election Results were:
Awami League 160 general seats
Pakistan People’s Party 81 general seats
Transfer of power became a major problem. Failure of dialogue for transfer of
Power
among three top leaders led to confrontation and military action on March 25,
1971. It ultimately
