Ghulam Muhammad (1951-55)

Question 1

Ghulam Muhammad Himself

Answer 1

• 3rd G.G, after LAQ’s death
• Had been Finance Minister
• Persuaded Khwaja Nazimudin to become PM, which had become a more prestigious role than G.G
• Risen from civil service to high office

Question 2

Food Crisis

Answer 2

• 1951-53 there was a severe drought and food shortage
• Cultivation of crops like; wheat and rice halted
• These led to riots
• During Korean War there had been large demand for jute and cotton to supply 1000s of soldiers
• But by 1953, demand declined
• In April, USA agreed to donate 1 Million tons of wheat to help overcome crisis

Question 3

Religious Crisis

Answer 3

• The riots also had religious causes
• Some Ulmas, had begun campaign against Ahmedis, who questions the Prophet’s finality
• They demanded all Ahmedis to be dismissed from office
• This included Zafarullah Khan, the foreign minister
• There were killings, curfews, and protests in Lahore
• Chaos only ended after martial law, and multiple arrests

Question 4

Alterations To 1950 Proposals

Answer 4

• The initial proposals came under so much criticism, that they were withdrawn for further consideration
• 22nd December 1952, a revised report was presented by PM, of the Basic Principles Committee
• It suggested
  1. Head of State must be Muslim

2. House of units with 60 members from East and 60 from West
   House of People should have 400, 200 from each wing
3. Religious minorities with representation at National and Provincial level
4. Cabinet responsible to National Assembly and not the head of state
5. Head of state would choose committee of Islamic specialists to ensure all legislation conformed to Islamic law
6. Official language settled by Assembly

Reaction and Aftermath

• Met with criticism
• PM, said they would undergo further discussion
• Further changes and uncertainty meant const. was not settled until 1956, under Iskander Mirza
• Pak still had no official language, despite Urdu being suggested by Quaid
• Bengalis were opposed, and no progress was made

Question 5

Muhammad Ali Bogra

Answer 5

• 17th April 1953 Khwaja was dismissed, for not controlling economic crisis and riots, due to food shortage
• This was done despite vote of confidence
• Khwaja was angered, but decided to not resist otherwise it could be disastrous
• Bogra was acting ambassador to USA
• Wanted as much foreign aid as possible
• In April 1953, US, Canada, and Australia agreed to send 1 Million tons of wheat
• Bogra also set up the planning board to produce 5 year plan, to avoid food shortage again
• Also worked out regional treaty agreement, Central Treaty Organization
• Involved western aid including, money, supplies, and ind. experts

Question 6

1954-55 Constitutional Crisis

Answer 6

• GM, wanted to dominate Bogra to maintain powers
• Bogra was not quite compliant
• While he was out of country, Bogra persuaded Assembly to pass laws to limit GM’s powers
• Assembly made bill to do so
• After voting, PRODA, was cancelled and Assembly adjourned to discuss new draft const.
• GM, did not take opposition lightly, and when Bogra was out of the country, declared state of emergency and dissolved Govt.
• Speaker, Maulvi Tameez-ud-din, contested this, and said took it to Sindh high court saying it was illegal
• In 1955 court ruled in favor of him, and GM appealed to Fed. Court

• On 10th May, higher court ruled that GM had power to dismiss assembly if he though situation demanded
• 21st June 1955, election for new cont. assembly held
• Met for the first time on 7th July 1955
• Meanwhile GM fell ill and was replaced by Iskandar Mirza