Governments 1948 to 1958 and Ayub Khan 1958 to 1969

Last time

Before we start: last time, in The problems of the new state and Jinnah as Governor-General, you learned these points. Here they are again on one card. Keep them in mind, because today builds on them.

Instability, then a soldier in charge

After Jinnah's death, Pakistan had seven prime ministers in eleven years. In 1958 the army took over, and General Ayub Khan ruled for over a decade. This lesson covers the unstable years, and Ayub's reforms and their results.

Liaquat Ali Khan

Liaquat Ali Khan was Prime Minister from 1947. In 1949 he introduced the Objectives Resolution, setting out Islamic and democratic principles for the future constitution. In 1950 he signed the Liaquat–Nehru Pact with India to protect minorities. He was assassinated in Rawalpindi in October 1951.

Years of instability

Governor-General Ghulam Muhammad dismissed Prime Minister Khawaja Nazimuddin in 1953, and dissolved the Constituent Assembly in 1954. Prime ministers changed often, provinces quarrelled, and the economy struggled. The 1956 Constitution finally made Pakistan an Islamic Republic with a parliamentary system, and Iskander Mirza became President.

One Unit

In 1955 the provinces of West Pakistan were merged into a single province, One Unit. Reasons: to create parity, equality, with East Pakistan, which had a larger population; to cut administrative costs; and to reduce provincial rivalry. Smaller provinces resented it, feeling dominated by the Punjab. It was ended in 1970.

Martial law

In October 1958, President Iskander Mirza declared martial law and abolished the constitution, with General Ayub Khan as Chief Martial Law Administrator. Within weeks, Ayub removed Mirza and took power himself. Many people at first welcomed the end of political chaos.

Ayub's political reforms

In 1959 Ayub introduced Basic Democracies: about 80,000 elected local councillors, who also formed the electoral college to elect the President. The 1962 Constitution gave Pakistan a presidential system with a strong President. Critics said it limited real democracy, since ordinary people did not vote directly for the President.

Ayub's economic reforms

The Green Revolution brought new high-yielding seeds, fertilisers and tubewells, raising wheat and rice production. Industry grew fast, helped by government support, and land reforms set a limit on the size of holdings. But wealth was concentrated in a few families, and East Pakistan felt left behind.

Other achievements

The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 settled the canal water dispute with India. A new capital, Islamabad, was built. The Muslim Family Laws Ordinance of 1961 gave women more protection in marriage and divorce. In 1965 war with India ended in a stalemate, and the Tashkent Declaration of 1966 was unpopular in Pakistan.

Ayub's fall

By 1968, inequality, rising prices and the unpopular Tashkent Declaration led to mass protests. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who had left Ayub's government, formed the Pakistan People's Party and led opposition in the west; Sheikh Mujib led it in the east. In March 1969 Ayub resigned and handed power to General Yahya Khan.

Mistakes that lose marks

Mistake one: saying the 1956 Constitution created a presidential system. It was parliamentary; 1962 was presidential. Mistake two: listing Ayub's reforms without judging their success. Mistake three: forgetting the drawbacks of the Decade of Progress. The fix: dates right, and successes weighed against failures.

The full-marks tip

The full-marks tip: for Ayub, sort his policies into political, economic and social, then weigh success and failure. Remember the order: Objectives Resolution 1949, One Unit 1955, Constitution 1956, martial law 1958.

On one card

So, on one card: governments to 1969. Keep it for revision.