Early governments of Pakistan 1947 to 1958 ( O Level Pakistan studies)
Q. Explain how successful were the early governments of Pakistan during 1947-58?
A. Early governments of Pakistan during 1947-58 had to face alot of problems for e.g: Refugees issue , canal water dispute , Kashmir issue , lack of monitory and military assets e.tc. In this situation Quaid-e-Azam handled the matters successfully but his early death without any constitution of the country created humongous problems . His post for governal general had very vast authority so many politicians and government officials had a greedy eye to get that post . After the death of Quaid-e-Azam, khwaja Nazim-ud-din became the governor general and Liaqat Ali Khan was the prime minister.
L.A.K as the first prime minister of the country took some steps which were partially successful . L.A.K presented Objectives Resolution prepared with the halp of the first constitutional assembly . This resolution had the foundation rules for the new constitution but it did not declare any deadline for the making of the constitution. This is the reason Pakistan remained without constitution for a long period of time . He signed a pact with Nehru known as Liaquat - Nehru pact in 1948 which closed the free flow of refugees between India and Pakistan. A visa policy was imposed and the protection of minorities in both countries was declared. He also declared Urdu as the national language of Pakistan but annoyed the east Pakistanis who wanted Bengali as the national language. He also introduced PRODA which was an act to disqualify corrupt politicians and officers. Many army officials turned against him and planed a coup which was disclosed by Ayub Khan and those all officers were suspended and send to jail. The murder of Liaquat Ali was also an outcome of this issue.
K.N.D was the governor general after the death of Quaid-e-Azam. Gap between east and west Pakistan was already increased to language issues . Secondly in those days the idea of upper and lower house was also given with equal seats for east and west Pakistan . Obje tive resolution was also passed under his governed generals hip which ensured the rights of public and promised about Islamic laws in this country. East Pakistans disliked the idea because they were 55 % of the population and they wanted more seats in the assembly. These clashes dis-satisfied the public and clashes increased. After the assassination of L.A.K , K.N.D appointed Malik Ghulam Muhammad as the G.G of the country and he himself took the seat of P.M . It proved that K.N.D had no idea about his powers . Later on even as P.M he did not present any useful policy or not the new constitution was formed . Country was facing severe food shortage and economic crises but no plan was given in this reference . Food shortage caused discontentment in public. Bengali speaking public was also annoyed as they didn't want urdu as the national language. It created a situation of repel and Khawaja couldn't withstand due to such tensions. Instability was deep rooted in the administrative system of Pakistan . When the law making council of K.N.D was dismissed by Malik Ghulam Muhammad complete disappointment was spread because at this point a public elected council was wasted and there was not enough money to conduct new elections. Though cases in Sind Court supported politicians but the decision of Supreme Court disappointed everyone providing all authority to Malik Ghulam Muhammad.
The era of Malik Ghulam Muhammad 1951-55 was the foundation of might is right in the administrative system of Pakistan. His habit of changing the P.Ms again and again caused great instability in the country and constitution making was also delayed . This satisfied the public and increased a gap between east and west Pakistan . Same way when elected constituent assembly tried to limit the powers of G.G with the help of Sindh high court decision. Malik Ghulam Muhammad mis-used supreme court and forced then to give decision in favor of him. The wrong decision of supreme court placed a question mark on the judiciary system of Pakistan at national and international levels. He introduced an economic planning commission in 1950 and economic planning board in 1951 to show to the public that he was working for their welfare. Six year plan of development was also presented. Covering agricultural, industrial, mining, fuel, transport and power departments. Food shortage and drought were still issues because India had blocked Pakistan river. Ullemas were also criticizing his policies for being unIslamic. Ahmadies issue was also at the peak. Later on Malik Ghulam Muhammad became Ill and resigned from his post handing over his government to his friend General Iskendar Mirza in 1955.
G.I.M was the first army general in the government who later on introduced the first constitution in 1956 and declared himself the president of Pakistan . He introduced one unit system according to which all west Pakistan provinces were declared as one unit while east Pakistan was the other unit. Equal seats were given to both units in the National Assembly but both east and west Pakistan were unhappy because west pakistanis dis not like their provinces to be merged together and east Pakistan was dis-satisfied because they claimed that they wanted 55% seats in the law making council according to the proportion of their population. In this situation political unrest was at its peak . Popularity of G.I.M was declining sharply . To control the situation he declared martial law in the country with the help of his friend General Ayub Khan. Be wanted to remain the president under the umbrella of army control but things were going out of hands. Finally in October 1958 he resigned from his post and handed over the full rule to General Ayub Khan.
L3
The main reason of Liaquat Ali's killing was objective resolution and PRODA which attracted criticism from Ulamas and elite class as they all turned against him. Due to his killing the govt became unstable as there was still no constitution and the nation had lost two very experienced, sincere and wise leaders Quaid and Liaquat who could have worked to bring the country out of troubles. Democratic system declined leading unstable Govts.
Khawaja Nazim ud Din's step to hand over the govt to Malik Ghulam Muhammad was again a change creating a way to nominate people instead of elections which further snubbed democratic system frustrated politicians and caused instability.
Ghulam Muhammad wished to stay longer but the rules introduced dissatisfied Ulamas creating immance tension. Additionaly drought worsened the situation causing lose of public support food shortage created such pressure that Ghulam Muhammad kept blaming Prime Ministers for it and appointed many PM's causing quick changes in govt and unstability of developmental plans. His ill health also forced him to resign and passing over the govt to General Iskender Mirza which created the entry of army in politics.
Sikender's first constitution 1956 attracted sever criticism and opposition. One unit policy was disliked by everyone in East and West Pakistan. Govt faced riots and unrest in the country, political instability became such a pressure that Mirza had to resign showing up another change in govt.
Govt handed over to General Ayub khan bringing army rule causing abrogation of the first construction and uncertainty in the public. These all reasons led Pakistan face a lot of changes in its early years.
General Iskender Mirza introduced one unit policy in the country combining all four provinces of West Pakistan in one while East Pakistan was the other unit. Bengali was also declared official language. Neither West Pakistanies nor east Pakistanies were happy with them. He introduced the first Constitution of Pakistan 1956. He declared himself the president of Pakistan with vast authority. Public wasn't happy on this because he was not a public representative. He declared Pakistan's name as 'Islamic Republic of Pakistan' which is still the same in our constitution. He worked industrialization in Pakistan. Rurel development programs were also introduced by him. He changed many prime ministers during his rule which wasn't liked by public and finally he had to resign in 1958 handing over the govt to General Ayub Khan resigned and left for London.
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