Political History Flashcards
First Eleven Years (1947-58)
Independence: Pakistan gained independence under challenging conditions
Challenges: Riots, refugee problems, economic pressures
Relations with India: Negative attitude and war on Kashmir created issues
Interim Constitution: Government of India Act 1935 adopted; Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah became the first Governor General, and Liaquat Ali Khan the first Prime Minister
Governor Generals:
M.A. Jinnah** (Aug. 1947 - Sept. 1948)**
Kh. Nazimuddin (Sept. 1948 - Oct. 1951)
Ghulam Mohammad (Oct. 1951 - Oct. 1955)
Iskander Mirza (Oct. 1955 - March 1956)
President: Iskander Mirza (March 1956 - Oct. 1958)
Prime Ministers:
Liaquat Ali Khan (Aug. 1947 - Oct. 1951)
Kh. Nazimuddin (Oct. 1951 - April 1953)
Muhammad Ali Bogra (April 1953 - Oct. 1954, Oct. 1954 - Aug. 1955)
Ch. Muhammad Ali (Aug. 1955 - Sept. 1956)
H.S. Suhrawardy** (Sept. 1956 - Oct. 1957)**
I.I. Chundrigar (Oct. 1957 - Dec. 1957)
Firoz Khan Noon** (Dec. 1957 - Oct. 1958)**
Major Issues:
Constitution-making
Provincial elections in Punjab, NWFP (1951), Sindh (1953), East Bengal (1954)
Dissolution of the 1st Constituent Assembly; formation of the 2nd CA in 1955
One Unit Scheme (Oct. 1955)
Economic management, Agriculture, Industrialization, and Education in the 1st Five Year Plan
Political instability, weak and short-lived governments, decline of political parties
Instability at the provincial level
Second Phase (1958-69)
Martial Law: Imposed from Oct. 1958 to June 1962
Constitutional Rule: Restored on June 1962; lasted till the 2nd Martial Law in March 1969
Leadership: Ayub Khan as Chief Martial Law Administrator and President
Important Policy Measures:
Administrative Reforms: Removal of unwanted officials (1662 in number)
Restrictions on political activities; leaders barred from politics for 6 years under EBDO
Economic planning for industrial development and the Green Revolution
Educational Reforms
Introduction of the Constitution
Downfall of Ayub Khan:
Indo-Pakistan war and Tashkand Pact
Dissatisfaction with the pact and 1965 election results
Economic development benefits not reaching the masses
Concentration of wealth in a few hands
Public agitation leading to the resignation of the President
Third Phase (1969-71)
Leadership Change: Ayub Khan handed over power to Army Chief Yahya Khan
Martial Law: Imposed, abrogation of the 1962 Constitution
Immediate Steps by Yahya Khan:
Removal of officers (303)
Provinces revived (March 30, 1970)
Abolition of Parity
Legal Framework Order (LFO) issued in March 1970 for constitution-making, election rules, and assembly seats
General Elections (December 1970):
Awami League: 160 general seats
Pakistan People’s Party: 81 general seats
Transfer of Power Issues:
Failure of dialogue among top leaders
Confrontation and military action on March 25, 1971
Civil war and alienation of East Pakistan
India-Pakistan War (1971):
India’s negative role
Attack on East Pakistan
War resulted in the separation of East Pakistan
