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CHAPTER 12: ISKANDER MIRZA (1955-58) : Contributions

Iskander Mirza became acting Governor General of Pakistan in 1955. He introduced the controversial One Unit policy that combined provinces of East Pakistan into a single unit, concentrating power in West Pakistan. He oversaw the drafting of Pakistan's 1956 constitution that established an Islamic republic and gave the president power to dissolve the national assembly. However, his rule saw political instability with frequent changes in prime ministers, food shortages, riots, and flooding in East Pakistan. In 1958, he declared martial law and made himself president but was soon forced to resign by General Ayub Khan, ushering in Pakistan's first military dictatorship.

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214 views1 page

CHAPTER 12: ISKANDER MIRZA (1955-58) : Contributions

Iskander Mirza became acting Governor General of Pakistan in 1955. He introduced the controversial One Unit policy that combined provinces of East Pakistan into a single unit, concentrating power in West Pakistan. He oversaw the drafting of Pakistan's 1956 constitution that established an Islamic republic and gave the president power to dissolve the national assembly. However, his rule saw political instability with frequent changes in prime ministers, food shortages, riots, and flooding in East Pakistan. In 1958, he declared martial law and made himself president but was soon forced to resign by General Ayub Khan, ushering in Pakistan's first military dictatorship.

Uploaded by

Piper Mclean
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CHAPTER 12: ISKANDER MIRZA (1955-58)

● Became acting Governor General in 1955.


● Removed Muhammad Ali Bogra as PM.

● Contributions:
⮚ One Unit Policy (1955):
oCombine provinces of East Pakistan into one unit
oClaimed People will show loyalty to state rather than province
oClaimed it would bring about greater efficiency and development in
West Pakistan
o However, this policy meant that East Pakistan could not gain a
majority in the Assembly
o Politicians from West would continue to dominate – Read source C
o To conclude, one unit created more problems internally in West
Pakistan. With one unit of West Pakistan neither the disparity of East
Pakistan was removed nor was any other issue was resolved.
⮚ 1956 Constitution:
o Based on the Objectives Resolution
o “Islamic Republic of Pakistan”
o Iskander Mirza – President
o President (Muslim) can dissolve NA
o No law would be passed against the teachings of the Quran and
Sunnah
o Fundamental Rights - included freedom of movement, speech, and
expression, to choose profession, to profess religion. Right to life,
liberty, and property.
o Urdu and Bengali were made national language
⮚ Industrialisation, Railway, Telephone network, Karachi Airport
● Problems:
⮚ During his short span of four years as the head of state, four prime ministers
were changed, three of them were his appointees, while the only popularly
elected Bengali prime minister was dismissed.
⮚ Food Shortages, Riots
⮚ Severe Flooding in East Pakistan
⮚ Became extremely unpopular

● Martial Law:
⮚ He suspended the Constitution and Elections in 1958 and declared Martial
Law with himself as President and Ayub Khan as PM.
⮚ Was forced to resign by Ayub Khan in 1958.
⮚ Ayub Khan became Pakistan’s first Military dictator.
⮚ Iskander Mirza is thus widely held responsible for the instability that brought
the active role of Pakistan armed forces in politics.

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