The Destruction of Pakistan's DemocracyIn 1947, Pakistan came into existence as a parliamentary democracy. In 1954, that government was dissolved and the path opened for the military rule which has characterized much of Pakistan's history. The political forces of Islam did not initiate these events. Rather, the catalyst was the national legislature's successful completion of the first new constitution since independence, a constitution which apportioned legislative power between East and West Pakistan, introduced guaranteed rights for citizens, and had earned the support of the Islamic leadership. Governor-General Ghulam Mohammad led a small group of West Pakistan officials, trained in the autocratic bureaucracy of British India, who disliked both democracy and the influence of Islam in politics. He dissolved the legislature and suppressed the constitution, actions approved by the Supreme Court which he controlled. So successful was this 'quiet revolution' that the very existence of the constitution has been forgotten by the public and overlooked by historians. |
Contents
Jinnah and the Making of a Dominion | 20 |
Pakistan Under Liaquat | 52 |
Ghulam Mohammad Ends Cabinet Government | 79 |
Copyright | |
6 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
action administration affairs allegiance amended appointed assent Ayub Basic Principles Committee Bogra Britain British India Cabinet cabinet government Callard central government Chaudhri Mohammad Ali Chief Justice Chief Minister civil Commonwealth Constituent Assembly constitution-making Cornelius Crown Daultana Dawn decision democracy democratic dismissal dominion constitution dominion status draft East Bengal election exercise existence Federal Court Ghulam Mohammad Government of India Governor Governor-General Governor-General's Hindu Ibid India Act India and Pakistan Indian Independence Act interview 1992 Islamic issue Jalal Jinnah judicial review Karachi Lahore leaders legislation legislature Liaquat London Mamdot Maududi ministry Mirza Mountbatten Mudie Muslim League nation Nazimuddin North-West Frontier Province Objectives Resolution October opinion Pakistan Observer Parliament parliamentary Party Pirzada politicians Prime Minister Principles Committee Report provincial religious Sayeed Section 92A senior dominions Sindh sovereignty statute subcontinent Suhrawardy Tamizuddin Khan ulema United University Press vote West Pakistan West Punjab Ziring