PAKISTAN___1947-71 AND BEYOND

1947-48: Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was sworn in as the Governor

General, and Liaqat Ali Khan as the Prime minister of Pakistan.
At the time of partition, Quaid-i-Azam was already ill, but with his strong will and
undefeatable spirit he guided his people to freedom. He was not only the Governor
General, but also the President of the Muslim League and the constituent Assembly.
The strain on his fragile health resulted in his death, just 13 months was created. He
died on 11 September 1948: Pakistan has not since had a leader like him.
1948-51: Khwaja Nazimuddin was appointed as the next Governor General and
Liaqat Ali Khan continued as Prime Minister. However, Liaqat Ali Khan was killed on
16 October 1951, and this was serious setback to the new country. Ghulam
Mohammad a powerful civil servant, became the new Governor General and Khwaja
Nazimuddin as Prime Minister.
1952-53: Problems began between the East and West wings of Pakistan when
language riots took place in East Pakistan. The Bengalis, who accounted for 54 per
cent of the population, wanted better representation in the government and the
army.
Mohammad Ali Bogra, from East Pakistan, was recalled from his ambassadorial post
in the USA and appointed Prime Minister in 1953.
1955-58: The establishment of One Unit in West Pakistan in 1955 was resented by
some of the smaller provinces, but it was done to give equal parliamentary seats to
the East and West wings of the country.
Ghulam Mohammad retired due to ill-health and General Iskander Mirza became the
new Governor General. In 1956 Pakistan officially became the Islamic Republic of
Pakistan, with General Iskander Mirza now becoming the president.
A new constitution was drawn up for a parliamentary democracy. Elections were
planned but there was much confusion, rioting, and problems.
On 7 October 1958, Iskander Mirza dismissed the assemblies, suspended the
constitution and declared Martial Law. He appointed General Ayub Khan as the
Martial Law Administrator. Three weeks later, Ayub Khan dismissed Iskander Mirza
and himself became the President. He was very strict in taking action against
lawbreakers. Slowly, the country was getting back into order.
1959-69: These years are generally known as the Ayub Khan decade. It was a
period of change and also of growth.
The system of Basic Democracies was set up as a base for an electoral college an
appointed group of electors for the presidential election. In 1962 Martial Law was
replaced by a constitution for a presidential government. Elections were held in

January 1965, and Ayub Khan won the vote: he was opposed by the Quaid-i-Azams
sister, Miss Fatima Jinnah, who had been persuaded to stand for the elections.
On 6 September 1965, Pakistan was invaded by the Indian army, over the Kashmir
dispute; their forces advanced towards Lahore. Pakistan, fighting back with amazing
heroism and a valiant spirit, repulsed the attack. A ceasefire was agreed on 22
September 1965. This war is commemorated on 6 September as the Defence of
Pakistan Day.
1969-71: General Yahya Khan promised a new constitution and elections. He
abolished One Unit and gave one-man-one-vote rights to both wings of the
country, resulting in an automatic majority to East Pakistan which had a larger
population than West Pakistan.
Elections were held in 1970, and the result was predictable: Mujibur Rehmans
Awami League won 160 out of 300 seats, while Bhuttos Pakistan Peoples Party
(PPP) secured 81. Mujibur Rehman, as the winner, claimed prime ministership, but
Yahya Khan, Bhutto and Rehman could not reach an agreement. The postponing of
the assemblies led to riots in the East wing, and ultimately civil war broke out in
1971. This resulted in the break-up of Pakistan and, with Indias help, the creation of
Bangladesh on 16 December 1971.
Yahya Khan was forced to resign and Bhutto became Martial Law Administrator and
President.

The following years: 1972-99

The Bhutto era, 1972-77
The Zia era, 1977-88
Reaching for democracy: Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif, 1988-99.
12 October 1999 is an important date for Pakistan. A commercial flight returning to
Karachi with the Chief of Army Staff, General Pervez Musharraf and other high level
Army officers on board was ordered by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to be Diverted
out of the country.
The elections of the national and provincial assemblies took place in October 2002,
giving a four year term to the assemblies.
The Prime Minister is elected by the National Assembly for four years. Likewise, the
provincial assemblies elect the Chief ministers of the provinces, while the provincial
governors are appointed by the centre.
The president is elected by the Parliament for a five year team. After a referendum
held on 30 April 2002, General Pervez Musharrafs presidency was extended for five
years, till 2007.
There had been slow growth in industrial and economic development, due to
political and internal situation of the country, especially from 1999 to 2001. The
unfortunate events of 11 September 2001 in the USA severely affected South Asia,
especially Afghanistan and Pakistan. It took time for Pakistan to recover. The
government worked to provide more facilities to the people: education is a sector

which has a high priority, at primary as well as higher levels, as this is absolutely
essential for development.
In 2004, Shaukat Aziz was elected as the prime minister. The next elections were
scheduled for January 2008, and the exiled political leaders, Benazir Bhutto and
Nawaz Sharif were allowed to return to participate. However, the tragic
assassination of Benazir Bhutto on 27 December 2007, during an election campaign
in Rawalpindi, plunged the country into gloom. The elections were postponed to
Februrary 2008 and the Pakistan Peoples Party won the most seats. Syed Yousuf
Raza Gilani was sworn in as the prime minister. In August 2008, Pervez Musharaf
resigned as President, and the PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari was sworn in as
President.
During the Musharaf Government, the country faced pproblems of regional and
international strife. However, progress was also made in the economy and in
education; communication has improved due to wider use of information
techonology, and more freedom to the news media increased awareness among the
people.
Pakistan has been passed through difficult times in its short history. However, has
potential and its people are valuable resource. With steady effort and focus on the
future, it can hopefully achieve goals of its founder and the aspirations of its people.