How Did Pakistan Begin Its Political Journey after Independence? (1947–1951)

The political history of Pakistan started with the formidable task of creating a functional state de novo after independence in August 1947. Jinnah was made the first governor-general of the country, whereas Liaquat Ali Khan was appointed as the first prime minister. Jinnah emphasized unity, faith, and discipline as essential for Pakistan, alongside unity and national discipline. 

Liaquat Ali Khan played a major role in the nation’s political destiny after Jinnah’s passing in September 1948. On March 7, 1949, Liaquat offered the Objectives Resolution, which was adopted on March 12. The murder of Liaquat Ali Khan on October 16, 1951, was a significant watershed as it left Pakistan to face the political storm without its “leading political personality after the creation of Pakistan.”

For a detailed account of this period, read our full article here.

Why Did Pakistan Face Political and Constitutional Instability in the 1950s? (1951–1958)

The political instability that Pakistan had experienced since its formation was further complicated by the death of its first prime minister, Liaquat Ali Khan. Sir Nazimuddin took office as prime minister in 1953, followed by M. Ali Bogra. However, the political power of the governor-general increasingly undermined the political stability of the civilian government. The most significant development happened in October 1954 when Governor-General Ghulam Muhammad dismissed the Constituent Assembly from completing the task of writing the constitution. 

The challenge raised by the Speaker, Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan, succeeded in the Sindh High Court but failed in the Federal Court. The Bogra Formula was a proposal put forward by Muhammad Ali Bogra in order to solve the disagreement about representation between the two regions, East and West Pakistan, while the One Unit Scheme of 1955 created parity between the two regions through the unification of the western provinces. Eventually, the Second Constituent Assembly came up with the Constitution of Pakistan 1956 that created a parliamentary form of government and declared Pakistan as an Islamic Republic. The Constitution was abrogated by President Iskander Mirza on 7 October 1958.

For a detailed account of this period, read our full article here.

How Did Ayub Khan Transform Pakistan’s Political System? (1958–1969)

The era of Ayub Khan represented the period during which Pakistan experienced military rule for the first time, and its political system witnessed a radical transformation. Following the declaration of martial law by Iskander Mirza in October 1958, Ayub Khan overthrew him to become the president of Pakistan, bringing about a shift of power from the legislature to the executive. In 1959, he then established the system of Basic Democracies. 

The constitution of 1962 substituted a presidential system for the parliamentary form and endowed him with vast powers in the presidency, whereas the elections were made indirect. His foreign policy was based on his friendly ties with the Western world, and the 1965 War between Pakistan and India and the Tashkent Declaration served as a political landmark for him. Later, due to huge mass protests on 25 March 1969, he stepped down in favor of General Yahya Khan.

For a detailed account of this period, read our full article here.

How Did Yahya Khan’s Rule Lead to the Separation of East Pakistan? (1969–1971)

The Yahya Khan regime started after martial law was imposed following the resignation of Ayub Khan, but in the end, it turned out to be the most traumatic period of the country’s political history. Yahya Khan abolished the One Unit system and initiated the Legal Framework Order........

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