History Notes Page 1 Section 3

QUAID-E-AZAM
 On 15th August 1947 Jinah assumed the office as the Governor general of
Pakistan.
 However, he took the role of Chief executive in the new government.
 He chaired the meetings and was the president of the constituent
assembly.

BUILDING A NATION

 The refugees in miserable condition were pushed into Pakistan to create

difficulty for government.
 Quaid-e-Azam moved his head quarter from Karachi to Lahore to give his
personal attention to grave the problem of refugees.
 Quaid-e-Azam Relief Fund was created in which the rich and wealthy
people were asked to give generously for the rehabilitation of poor
refugees.
 He gave a call to avoid provincialism and racialism. He said, “Everyone of
us should think, feel and act as Pakistani and we all should be proud on
being Pakistanis once”
 He gave the complete liberty to minorities to practice their religion and
called himself as the “Protector General” of minorities.
 He made tours of various provinces to attend to the problem personally.
 He ordered to withdraw forces from areas of tribal territories. He advised
the tribesman to look into their affairs by themselves as citizens of free and
independent Pakistan.
 He joined UNO in 1947, which helped Pakistan to get reputation in the
world as a peace-loving nation.

BUILDING A GOVERNMENT

 To solve the problems of a new country workable administrative

machinery was needed.
 Liaquat Ali Khan was appointed as the first Prime Minister of Pakistan.
 A Constituent assembly was formed to work as a cabinet & to frame the
new constitution.
 Karachi was made as the Capital of Pakistan & Central Secretariat was
also set up.
 To bring the qualified people from India special trains & airplanes were
arranged.
 As Pakistan lacked buildings for offices so Quaid hired buildings from
private sector.
 Civil Services were also organized along with new rules for a smooth work
of the govt.
History Notes Page 2 Section 3

 He also completed the judicial structure of administration by creating the
Federal court.
 Quaid-e-Azam warned the government officials to change their attitude
towards the people and to help them with hope and courage in the most
difficult days of Pakistan.

BUILDING AN ECONOMY

 The main task of Quaid was to consolidate the economic condition in

Pakistan.
 Thus he looked at this problem with great responsibility and started to work
on it.
 He realized that the amount of the money given to Pakistan by the
Reserve Bank of India was not enough to cover the needs of the
independent Islamic State.
 Thus he asked for the funds from other foreign countries and asked the
government to set up the State Bank of Pakistan on 1stJuly 1948.
 In 1948 Jinnah’s Industrial Policy made it essential to increase
industrialization quickly. Quaid also made a temporary agreement with
India regarding Canal Water to increase the efficiency of the agro-based
industries of Pakistan.

ESTABLISHING NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

 Pakistan could not get its due share in the military assets & became so
weak from defence point of view.
 He hired British officers to train Pakistani soldiers. Temporary commissions
were offered to fulfill the requirements of the military officers.
 Although our army was less in number & equipment but they fought
bravely in the first war against India.
 Ordinance factory was also established at Wah.

FAILURES

 Jinnah could not solve the issues like Canal Water dispute, Princely State
Issue, Defence of the country and the Constitution of Pakistan.

CONCLUSION

 In my opinion -, Jinnah was successful because he solved many problems

in a year.
 Jinnah was too unwell, he worked day and night; therefore he died 13
months after partition.
 He tried his best to solve the problems of Pakistan but he did not get much
time and Pakistan lost his leadership on 11 September 1948.
History Notes Page 3 Section 3

 Times news paper wrote, “No succeeding Governor general can fill his
place as the Father of the nation”
History Notes Page 4 Section 3


KHAWAJA NAZIMUDDIN
 He was from East Pakistan.
 He was honest and god fearing person.
 He was appointed as the 2ndGovernor General of Pakistan in Sept. 1948
after the death of Quaid.

SERVICES AS A GOVERNOR GENERAL

 Khwaja Nazimuddin played a crucial role in shaping Pakistan's early
constitutional development by presenting the Objectives Resolution in 1949.
This resolution focused on Islamic principles such as freedom and religious
tolerance. It not only allowed Muslims to follow Islamic practices but also
protected the right of people from other religions to practice their own faith.
This move helped Khwaja gain support from religious leaders who believed
that the new state was not Islamic enough. By satisfying the Ullemas, Khwaja
successfully navigated criticism and paved the way for a more inclusive
society.
 Khwaja Nazimuddin's tenure was marked by effective financial policies that
sustained the country's economy. He skillfully drafted policies that resulted
in surplus budgets for the new state. This economic success contributed to
the stability of Pakistan during a crucial period. By keeping the economy
going, Khwaja demonstrated his ability to manage the country's financial
matters efficiently, laying a foundation for future economic development.
 The Basic Principles Committee established in 1949 aimed to draft a
constitution for Pakistan. However, it faced criticism for clauses that
concentrated more power in the hands of the Federal government and the
Head of State. This approach contradicted the concept of provincial
autonomy, a significant aspect of the Pakistan Movement. Provincial
politicians were displeased as they felt their power was limited, going
against the principles for which Pakistan was created. This controversy
highlighted the challenges in balancing centralized and regional authority
during the early years of the country.
 Another significant development during Khwaja Nazimuddin's time was the
introduction of PRODA (Public and Representative Officers Disqualification
Act) in an effort to combat corruption. PRODA empowered the Governor-
General or Provincial Governors to initiate inquiries against public office
holders. If found guilty, these individuals could be removed from their
positions. However, it was criticized by many as it was against Jinnah’s
democratic vision and was used by ruling elites to threaten opposition
(public office holders) to be silent.
 After the death of Liaquat Ali Khan in 1951 the Finance Minister Malik
Ghulam Mohammad persuaded him to step down, as the 2nd prime
History Notes Page 5 Section 3

minister and Ghulam Mohammad became the governor general of
Pakistan.
 In 1953 Pakistan faced a severe food crisis and economic problems
leading to civil unrest, which was exploited by religious elements that
wanted Ahmediis (Qadianis) to be declared as non-Muslims. During his
rule, Ahrar party demanded that Qadianis should be declared as non-
muslims and they should be removed from key posts of Pakistan, including
Sir Zafarullah khan, Foreign minister of Pakistan. Movement spread like a
fire.
 The government of Nazim Uddin was criticized for lacking firmness in law
and order and dealing with economic situation so Malik Ghulam
Mohammad dismissed Khawaja Nazim Uddin's govt. on 17 April 1953 and
appointed Mohammad Ali Bogra of East Pakistan as the prime minister of
Pakistan.














History Notes Page 6 Section 3


MALIK GHULAM MUHAMMAD

 He opted for Pakistan following independence, and was appointed new
country’s first finance minister.
 He drafted five year plans for the economy in 1948, based on Soviet
model, but was unable to achieve it due to lack of staff and sufficient
materials.
 He organized the International Islamic Conference held at Karachi from
November 26 to December 6, 1949, and called for forming a pan-islamic
bloc of the muslim countries.
 After the death of Liaquat Ali Khan, Malik Ghulam Mohammad persuaded
Khawaja nazimuddin to step down, as the 2nd prime minister and Ghulam
Mohammad became the governor general of Pakistan.

SERVICES AS A GOVERNOR GENERAL

 During Malik Ghulam Muhammad's time, a shortage of food arose due to
severe droughts, causing distress among the people. Initially, the
government's response was slow, leading to protests against the authorities.
In a move to address the crisis, Malik Ghulam Muhammad managed to
secure a million tons of wheat from Australia and the USA. This helped
eliminate the forced shortages, calming the people down. The successful
acquisition of food aid alleviated the immediate concerns and challenges
caused by the scarcity of essential resources.
 Another issue that arose during Malik Ghulam Muhammad's tenure was
religious protests, particularly regarding the status of Ahmedis. Many
religious leaders, or Ullemas, demanded that Ahmedis be declared non-
Muslims and removed from senior positions, including the foreign minister,
Zafar Ullah Khan. Unfortunately, the government under MGM struggled to
effectively handle these protests. Ultimately, the situation escalated to the
point where military assistance was called in to quell the unrest. This
decision, involving the military in political matters, was seen as a failure on
the part of Ghulam Mohammad and set the stage for future challenges,
including the imposition of martial laws.
 Due to the challenges posed by food shortages and religious protests, there
was little progress in constitutional development during Malik Ghulam
Muhammad's time. The pressing issues and the government's struggle to
effectively manage them diverted attention and resources away from
constitutional matters. As a result, the broader development of the country's
governing framework was hindered during this period, reflecting the impact
of these crises on the political landscape.
 The government of Nazim Uddin was criticized for lacking firmness in law
and order and dealing with economic situation so Malik Ghulam
Mohammad dismissed Khawaja Nazim Uddin's govt. on 17 April 1953 and
History Notes Page 7 Section 3

appointed Mohammad Ali Bogra of East Pakistan as the prime minister of
Pakistan.
 When Bogra attempted to lessen the power of governor general’s via
parliament, so he dismissed constituent assembly as well in 1954.
 Pakistan became the member of SEATO (South East Asian Treaty
Organization) in 1954.
 During his governor generalship, Pakistan signed Baghdad pact with Iran,
Iraq and Turkey in 1955. It was renamed Cento (Central Treaty
Organization)
 He was affected by paralysis, he took leave of illness and resigned on 4
october 1955 and General Mohammad Iskander Mirza succeeded him.
History Notes Page 8 Section 3


ISKANDER MIRZA
 He had joined Indian Army but had been sent to political service by the
British so he was the perfect bridge between the military and the civil
service.
 After establishment of Pakistan in 1947, PM Liaquat Ali Khan appointed
Mirza as Defense Secretary.
 He supervised the Indo-Pak war in 1947 and Balochistan conflict in 1948.
 He was the 4thand last Governor General and 1st President of Pakistan
because 1956 constitution declared Pakistan a Republic.

SERVICES AS A GOVERNOR GENERAL

 Iskander Mirza implemented the one-unit scheme, unifying the four
provinces of West Pakistan (Punjab, Sindh, NWFP, and Baluchistan) along
with 10 princely states into a single province called West Pakistan. This move
was significant as it addressed the constitutional issue of dividing seats in the
assembly. With the creation of West Pakistan, Pakistan now had two
provinces: East and West. This change ensured an equal distribution of seats
between East and West Pakistan in the 1956 constitution. However, the
policy also meant that East Pakistan couldn't secure a majority in the
Assembly, leading to a shift in the political dynamics within the country.
 Iskander Mirza's leadership was marked by political instability, particularly
evident in the removal of three prime ministers within a short span of one
year (1957-58). This frequent change in leadership created a sense of
uncertainty and unrest. Ayub Khan, who held the position of Commander
in Chief at the time, used this political instability as a justification to impose
martial law in 1958, aiming to restore stability to the country. Unfortunately,
it was the result of Iskander Mirza's ineffective leadership that Pakistan had
to endure martial law for the next 11 years. The period of martial law had a
lasting impact on the country's political landscape, shaping its trajectory for
years to come.
 During his govt. there was an uncertain political situation and he dismissed
many Prime Ministers.
 On 7thOctober 1958 Iskander Mirza imposed first Martial Law in Pakistan
and he asked Ayub Khan to take charge as “Chief Martial Law
Administrator (CMLA)”.
 On 24th October 1958 Mirza appointed Ayub Khan as the Prime Minister.
 Ayub Khan forced Mirza on 27th October 1958 to leave Pakistan for an
exiled life in London.



History Notes Page 9 Section 3


LIAQUAT ALI KHAN

 He was the First Prime Minister of Pakistan.
 Although he was unable to solve many problems but he wanted to see
Pakistan as a developed country.
 He got popularity after the death of Qauid-e-Azam.
 He also played an important role in Pakistan Movement and due to his
efforts Quaid-e-Azam came back from London in 1934 as the life time
president of AIML.
 As a Prime Minister of Pakistan he kept the economy working and
produced a surplus budget.

SERVICES AS PRIME MINISTER

 Same as Khwaja Nazimudiin

 During his tenure, India and Pakistan agreed to resolve the dispute of
Kashmir in a peaceful manner through the efforts of the United Nations.
 Large number of religious minorities left in both the countries. To protect
the minorities and to encourage them to stay at their respective countries,
a minorities pact was signed between Liaquat Ali Khan and Nehru in 1950.
It was agreed that both the countries will protect the religious minorities on
their borders.
 In January 1951 he appointed Ayub Khan as C-in-C of Pakistan Army after
retirement of Douglas Gracy.
 On 14 August 1951, he addressed the nation and said, “If for the defence
of Pakistan, the nation has to shed blood, Liaquat’s blood shall be mixed
with it”
 He was assassinated on 16 October 1951 by Syed Akbar Ali while
addressing a public rally in Rawalpindi.
 He was given the title of “Shaheed-e-Millat” meaning “martyr of the
nation” and “Quaid-e-Millat” meaning “Leader of the nation”









History Notes Page 10 Section 3


MOHAMMAD ALI BOGRA

 He belonged to East Pakistan and had little knowledge about practical
politics.
 In September 1954 Malik Ghulam Muhammad was out of the country &
Bogra persuaded the assembly to pass a law limiting the power of
Governor General which said that all the ministers & Prime Minister must be
a member of Assembly, assembly had to approve Cabinet and Governor
General and to take advice from his ministers.
 The bill was approved in 15 minutes & the assembly repealed the Public
and Representative Officers (Disqualification) Act [PRODA], which said
that the Governor General could remove ministers from the National &
Provincial Govt. for up to 5 years if they “abused public office”.
 He wanted to cut down the power of the Governor General, which was
not tolerated by Malik Ghulam Muhammad.
 Malik Ghulam Muhammad declared a state of emergency & dissolve the
Assembly.
 Then Malik Ghulam Muhammad re-appointed Bogra with a chosen
cabinet of Governor General including Iskander Mirza and Ayub Khan.
 This step was challenged in the court by Maulvi Tamizuddin in Sindh Court
declared it illegal that non-Assembly members should not be appointed in
the Cabinet.
 Malik Ghulam Muhammad appealed to the Federal Court against this
judgement.
 Federal court under the justice Munir decided that Governor General had
the power to take such action in national interests.
 Iskander Mirza replaced Ghulam Mohammad as Governor General due
to his ill health and he dismissed Bogra in August 1955 and appointed
Chaudhry Mohammad Ali as the PM of Pakistan.

CHAUDHRY MOHAMMAMAD ALI

 He was a civil servant and former finance minister.
 He played an important role in helping to draft and pass the first
constitution in 1956.
 He had to deal with many problems in East Pakistan both political and
economic.
 A food crisis took place in Bengal due to floods and there was a
disagreement among the Bengali political leaders and Chaudhry
Mohammad Ali so he resigned and Hussein Shaheed Suharwardi replaced
him.
History Notes Page 11 Section 3


HUSSEIN SHAHEED SUHARWARDI

 He was from East Pakistan and he had been the premier of united Bengal.
 He played an important role in Pakistan movement and after
independence he moved to Pakistan from Calcutta.
 He was a real politician and wanted to have some control over the govt.
Machinery but the constitution gave decisive powers to the president so
he was asked to resign by Iskander Mirza who appointed I.I.Chundrigar as
the PM.

IBRAHIM ISMAIL CHUNDRIGAR

 He was a lawyer who was relatively unknown in politics.
 He set a record of surviving as a PM for only 6 weeks before he was asked
by Iskander Mirza to hand in his resignation.

MALIK FEROZE KHAN NOON

 He was a landlord from Punjab and managed to oversee one of the
chaotic administrations.
 He kept his govt. going by appointing too many ministers from different
parties and they could not agree on most of the matters, this created
chaos in the country, which was beyond Mirza's control so he invited Ayub
Khan as Chief Martial Law administrator.
 On 7thOctober 1958 Mirza abrogated the constitution and imposed first
martial law in Pakistan.

















History Notes Page 12 Section 3


PAST PAPER QUESTIONS SOLVED

BY MUHAMMAD YOUSUF MEMON
Question 1 J2021/P1/Q5/B
Explain why there were changes of government between 1951 and 1958.
[7]
After Writing Any 1 Paragraph from Paragraphs Mentioned Below You Will Score L3 5 Marks

After Writing Any 2 Paragraphs from Paragraphs Mentioned Below You Will Score L3 6 Marks

After Writing Any 3 Paragraphs from Paragraphs Mentioned Below You Will Score L3 7 Marks

Jinnah the founder of Pakistan died in 1948 and Liaqat Ali and another major
leader died in 1951. The country was struggling to established itself without
these two as most of the other politicians were inexperienced who had great
difficulty in running country as a result there was lack of stability governing and
this led to many different governments being founded during these years.

The formation of East Pakistan brought with it problems relating to the capital
being located in west Pakistan and refusal to have Bengali (the language east
Pakistan) as the main language was a conflict which not only delayed the
constitution but also caused serious political problems to run the country
effectively.

Another reason was the lust for power in Malik Ghulam Mohammad and
Iskandar Mirza, the two heads of state during 1951-58. They frequently
changed Prime Minister from East Pakistan to maintain their authority as they
were many looking for their ‘yes men’ e.g. MGM dismissing Khwaja in 1953 and
3 PMs were changed by Iskander Mirza in one year (1957-58). This created
political instability and created problems that led to future change in
government the only solution left to bring stability was to impose Martial Law
which was declared in 1958.

Question 2 J2019/P1/Q5/B
Explain why there were many governments between 1951 and 1958. [7]
 Same as Question 1

Question 3 J2017/P1/Q4/C
Which of the following contributed the most to Pakistan’s domestic
policies between 1948 and 1958?
i. Khwaja Nazimuddin
ii. Malik Ghulam Muhammad
iii. Iskander Mirza
History Notes Page 13 Section 3

Explain your answer with reference to all three of the above. [14]
3 Services of KN+ 2 Services of MGM + 2 Services of IM + Conclusion

Khwaja Nazimuddin played a crucial role in shaping Pakistan's early

constitutional development by presenting the Objectives Resolution in 1949.
This resolution focused on Islamic principles such as freedom and religious
tolerance. It not only allowed Muslims to follow Islamic practices but also
protected the right of people from other religions to practice their own faith.
This move helped Khwaja gain support from religious leaders who believed that
the new state was not Islamic enough. By satisfying the Ullemas, Khwaja
successfully navigated criticism and paved the way for a more inclusive
society.

Khwaja Nazimuddin's tenure was marked by effective financial policies that

sustained the country's economy. He skillfully drafted policies that resulted in
surplus budgets for the new state. This economic success contributed to the
stability of Pakistan during a crucial period. By keeping the economy going,
Khwaja demonstrated his ability to manage the country's financial matters
efficiently, laying a foundation for future economic development.

The Basic Principles Committee established in 1949 aimed to draft a

constitution for Pakistan. However, it faced criticism for clauses that
concentrated more power in the hands of the Federal government and the
Head of State. This approach contradicted the concept of provincial
autonomy, a significant aspect of the Pakistan Movement. Provincial
politicians were displeased as they felt their power was limited, going against
the principles for which Pakistan was created. This controversy highlighted the
challenges in balancing centralized and regional authority during the early
years of the country.

Another significant development during Khwaja Nazimuddin's time was the

introduction of PRODA (Public and Representative Officers Disqualification
Act) in an effort to combat corruption. PRODA empowered the Governor-
General or Provincial Governors to initiate inquiries against public office
holders. If found guilty, these individuals could be removed from their positions.
However, it was criticized by many as it was against Jinnah’s democratic vision
and was used by ruling elites to threaten opposition (public office holders) to
be silent.

During Malik Ghulam Muhammad's time, a shortage of food arose due to

severe droughts, causing distress among the people. Initially, the government's
response was slow, leading to protests against the authorities. In a move to
address the crisis, Malik Ghulam Muhammad managed to secure a million tons
of wheat from Australia and the USA. This helped eliminate the forced
shortages, calming the people down. The successful acquisition of food aid
History Notes Page 14 Section 3

alleviated the immediate concerns and challenges caused by the scarcity of
essential resources.

Another issue that arose during Malik Ghulam Muhammad's tenure was
religious protests, particularly regarding the status of Ahmedis. Many religious
leaders, or Ullemas, demanded that Ahmedis be declared non-Muslims and
removed from senior positions, including the foreign minister, Zafar Ullah Khan.
Unfortunately, the government under MGM struggled to effectively handle
these protests. Ultimately, the situation escalated to the point where military
assistance was called in to quell the unrest. This decision, involving the military
in political matters, was seen as a failure on the part of Ghulam Mohammad
and set the stage for future challenges, including the imposition of martial laws.

Due to the challenges posed by food shortages and religious protests, there
was little progress in constitutional development during Malik Ghulam
Muhammad's time. The pressing issues and the government's struggle to
effectively manage them diverted attention and resources away from
constitutional matters. As a result, the broader development of the country's
governing framework was hindered during this period, reflecting the impact of
these crises on the political landscape.

Iskander Mirza implemented the one-unit scheme, unifying the four provinces
of West Pakistan (Punjab, Sindh, NWFP, and Baluchistan) along with 10 princely
states into a single province called West Pakistan. This move was significant as
it addressed the constitutional issue of dividing seats in the assembly. With the
creation of West Pakistan, Pakistan now had two provinces: East and West. This
change ensured an equal distribution of seats between East and West Pakistan
in the 1956 constitution. However, the policy also meant that East Pakistan
couldn't secure a majority in the Assembly, leading to a shift in the political
dynamics within the country.

Iskander Mirza's leadership was marked by political instability, particularly

evident in the removal of three prime ministers within a short span of one year
(1957-58). This frequent change in leadership created a sense of uncertainty
and unrest. Ayub Khan, who held the position of Commander in Chief at the
time, used this political instability as a justification to impose martial law in 1958,
aiming to restore stability to the country. Unfortunately, it was the result of
Iskander Mirza's ineffective leadership that Pakistan had to endure martial law
for the next 11 years. The period of martial law had a lasting impact on the
country's political landscape, shaping its trajectory for years to come.
Conclusion [2 Marks]
History Notes Page 15 Section 3

Question 4 N2014/P1/Q4/B
Why were there so many governments between 1951 and 1958? [7]
 Same as Question 1

Question 5 J2013/P1/Q4/C
Who of the following contributed the most to Pakistan’s domestic policies
between 1948 and 1958?
i. Liaquat Ali Khan
ii. Malik Ghulam Muhammad
iii. Iskander Mirza
Explain your answer with reference to all three of the above. [14]
3 Services of LAK+ 2 Services of MGM + 2 Services of IM + Conclusion

Liaquat Ali Khan played a crucial role in shaping Pakistan's early constitutional
development by presenting the Objectives Resolution in 1949. This resolution
focused on Islamic principles such as freedom and religious tolerance. It not
only allowed Muslims to follow Islamic practices but also protected the right of
people from other religions to practice their own faith. This move helped
Khwaja gain support from religious leaders who believed that the new state
was not Islamic enough. By satisfying the Ullemas, Khwaja successfully
navigated criticism and paved the way for a more inclusive society.

Liaquat Ali Khan 's tenure was marked by effective financial policies that
sustained the country's economy. He skillfully drafted policies that resulted in
surplus budgets for the new state. This economic success contributed to the
stability of Pakistan during a crucial period. By keeping the economy going,
Khwaja demonstrated his ability to manage the country's financial matters
efficiently, laying a foundation for future economic development.

The Basic Principles Committee established in 1949 aimed to draft a

constitution for Pakistan. However, it faced criticism for clauses that
concentrated more power in the hands of the Federal government and the
Head of State. This approach contradicted the concept of provincial
autonomy, a significant aspect of the Pakistan Movement. Provincial
politicians were displeased as they felt their power was limited, going against
the principles for which Pakistan was created. This controversy highlighted the
challenges in balancing centralized and regional authority during the early
years of the country.

Another significant development during Liaquat Ali Khan 's time was the
introduction of PRODA (Public and Representative Officers Disqualification
Act) in an effort to combat corruption. PRODA empowered the Governor-
General or Provincial Governors to initiate inquiries against public office
History Notes Page 16 Section 3

holders. If found guilty, these individuals could be removed from their positions.
However, it was criticized by many as it was against Jinnah’s democratic vision
and was used by ruling elites to threaten opposition (public office holders) to
be silent.

During Malik Ghulam Muhammad's time, a shortage of food arose due to

severe droughts, causing distress among the people. Initially, the government's
response was slow, leading to protests against the authorities. In a move to
address the crisis, Malik Ghulam Muhammad managed to secure a million tons
of wheat from Australia and the USA. This helped eliminate the forced
shortages, calming the people down. The successful acquisition of food aid
alleviated the immediate concerns and challenges caused by the scarcity of
essential resources.

Another issue that arose during Malik Ghulam Muhammad's tenure was
religious protests, particularly regarding the status of Ahmedis. Many religious
leaders, or Ullemas, demanded that Ahmedis be declared non-Muslims and
removed from senior positions, including the foreign minister, Zafar Ullah Khan.
Unfortunately, the government under MGM struggled to effectively handle
these protests. Ultimately, the situation escalated to the point where military
assistance was called in to quell the unrest. This decision, involving the military
in political matters, was seen as a failure on the part of Ghulam Mohammad
and set the stage for future challenges, including the imposition of martial laws.

Due to the challenges posed by food shortages and religious protests, there
was little progress in constitutional development during Malik Ghulam
Muhammad's time. The pressing issues and the government's struggle to
effectively manage them diverted attention and resources away from
constitutional matters. As a result, the broader development of the country's
governing framework was hindered during this period, reflecting the impact of
these crises on the political landscape.

Iskander Mirza implemented the one-unit scheme, unifying the four provinces
of West Pakistan (Punjab, Sindh, NWFP, and Baluchistan) along with 10 princely
states into a single province called West Pakistan. This move was significant as
it addressed the constitutional issue of dividing seats in the assembly. With the
creation of West Pakistan, Pakistan now had two provinces: East and West. This
change ensured an equal distribution of seats between East and West Pakistan
in the 1956 constitution. However, the policy also meant that East Pakistan
couldn't secure a majority in the Assembly, leading to a shift in the political
dynamics within the country.

Iskander Mirza's leadership was marked by political instability, particularly

evident in the removal of three prime ministers within a short span of one year
(1957-58). This frequent change in leadership created a sense of uncertainty
and unrest. Ayub Khan, who held the position of Commander in Chief at the
History Notes Page 17 Section 3

time, used this political instability as a justification to impose martial law in 1958,
aiming to restore stability to the country. Unfortunately, it was the result of
Iskander Mirza's ineffective leadership that Pakistan had to endure martial law
for the next 11 years. The period of martial law had a lasting impact on the
country's political landscape, shaping its trajectory for years to come.
Conclusion [2 Marks]
History Notes Page 18 Section 3


04 MARKS
What was the Objectives Resolution?

The first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan set up a Basic Principles Committee

of 25 members to draft the constitution. It presented the Objectives Resolutions
on 12th March 1949. It recommended observance of democracy, freedom,
equality, tolerance and social justice so that Muslims and non-Muslims could
follow their faith comfortably. It also recommended a bicameral parliament. It
was sharply criticized by the Ulema/religious scholars and the East Pakistan. This
draft was presented to the Constituent Assembly on 28th September 1950.

What was the PRODA/Public and Representative Officers

Disqualification Act?

It was passed by the government of Liaqat Ali Khan and Khwaja Nazimuddin
in 1949. It was aimed at curbing corruption and misuse of power by the
politicians and civil servants. Complaints in this regard could be made to the
Governor-General or Provincial Governors who could order an enquiry by
judges. Anyone found guilty could be debarred from office for a suitable
period of time. However, it was seen as a device that allowed the ruling elite
to remove those it did not like. It was repealed in September 1954 by the
Assembly of Malik Ghulam Muhammad.

Describe the constitutional crisis of 1950.

On 28th September 1950, the draft of the Objectives Resolution was presented
before the Constituent Assembly. East Pakistan immediately opposed it as it
wanted a share in the parliament according to the size of its population
whereas the Resolution recommended equal seats of East and West Pakistan.
It also opposed imposition of Urdu as the official language. The provincial
politicians opposed the powers of the head of state and the central
government. The Ulama considered the draft insufficiently Islamic. In
November 1950, Liaqat Ali Khan had to withdraw it.

Describe the Liaqat-Nehru Pact/the Minorities Pact.

It was signed to stop the movement of minorities across the Pak-India border.
In April1950, Pakistani PM Liaqat Ali Khan and Indian PM Jawahar Lal Nehru
signed this agreement. It was agreed that each country would provide
protection and religious freedom to the religious minorities living in Pakistan and
India so that these minorities would be encouraged to stay back in their native
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state. However, the movement of people belonging to religious minorities
continued to migrate across the border as they did not trust any such
statements made by the government about giving them protection.

What was the Rawalpindi conspiracy case?

Some army officers were not happy with the government, and they plotted a
coup to overthrow the government. In March 1951, the ‘Rawalpindi
Conspiracy Case’ was discovered by General Ayub Khan and the conspirators
were arrested, tried and imprisoned. They included senior officers like Major-
General Akbar Khan and 14 other officers including the famous poet Faiz
Ahmed Faiz. This proved to be a forerunner of the involvement of army in the
politics of Pakistan.

Describe the constitutional crisis of 1954–55.

Governor-General Ghulam Muhammad wanted to retain the executive

powers whereas his PM, Muhammad Ali Bogra opposed him. He was in favour
of a purely parliamentary form of government with the PM as the executive
head of state. On 21st September 1954, Bogra got an important bill passed by
the Assembly while Ghulam Muhammad was abroad. Under the bill, it was
binding on the Governor-General to take the advice of his Ministers. Ghulam
Muhammad, acting quickly, dissolved the Constituent Assembly and dismissed
the Bogra government on 29 September 1954.

What was the ‘One Unit’ Scheme?

On 14th October 1955, Governor-General Iskander Mirza implemented the

One Unit Scheme. Under this, all provinces of West Pakistan were unified to
become a single province against the single province of East Pakistan. Both
East and West Pakistan were given equal seats in the National Assembly
though East Pakistan had 10 million more people than West Pakistan. Therefore,
it was opposed by East Pakistan and the smaller provinces of West Pakistan.
However, it remained valid in the 1956 and the 1962 constitutions. It was
scrapped by General Yahya Khan in March 1969.

Describe the 1956 Constitution?

It was approved by the 2nd Constituent Assembly elected under the rule of
Iskander Mirza. It was a compromise between the Muslim League and the
United Front. Pakistan was officially called Islamic Republic of Pakistan and
Mirza became the President. It empowered the president to choose the PM
and dissolve the National Assembly and the Cabinet under his emergency
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powers. The President had to be a Muslim. There were equal seats of East and
West Pakistan in the Assembly under the One Unit Scheme. It was abrogated
in October 1958 under the first martial law of Pakistan.