“PAKISTAN: THE FIRST 11 YEARS 1947-1958”PART-2

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Globalization of Media MCM404

Lesson 3

"PAKISTAN: THE FIRST 11 YEARS 1947-1958"PART-2

II: "Landmark events"

In lecture no.1 we established the unique nature of the Pakistani nation-state.

In lecture no.2 we identified two positive themes and trends that marked the first 11 years of Pakistan's

history. We also noted 4 negative themes and trends in the same period. The reason for defining a framework

of 11 years i.e. from 1947-1958 for lectures 2 & 3 is the fact that the civil, political process prevailed in this

period. It was in October 1958 that this desirable and ideal process i.e. the civil, political process ― which, in

real life, in virtually every country of the world is far from ideal! ― was disrupted by the abrogation of the

Constitution and the introduction and imposition of martial law. October 1958 therefore marks a

fundamental turning point in the history of Pakistan.

To view the pattern and direction of history in the first 11 years we also need to take note of the actual major

events that shaped that phase of our history. In examining events, it needs to be remembered that events can

be merely the culmination of tendencies and directions that have been moving towards a certain point of

expression i.e. events, and to this extent, events by themselves may not always be important because they are

too "small", restricted, specific and transitory in nature. Events happen, and then new events happen

thereafter! What is important is: the underlying forces that are shaping events on the surface.

Yet, at the same time, events do require appropriate attention and analysis because the actions of people, or

the words that they utter, or journeys they undertake, agreements that they make, the deaths or resignations

of leaders, their plans or their conspiracies, announcements of changes in policies or in appointments: all

these, taken singly, or together are "events", and do make a vital difference. For example, one single event

e.g. the death of the Quaid-e-Azam meant the end of an era and the beginning of an entirely new era in

Pakistan's history without the presence of its pivotal leader.

Another example: the adoption of the Objectives Resolution by the Constituent Assembly in March 1949,

may on the one hand, be seen as simply being a logical expression of the aspirations of Muslim nationalism

that had been evolving in un-divided India for several decades. However, another view about the adoption of

the Objectives Resolution in 1949 is that it diverted the progressive and the enlightened original concept of

Pakistan as a forward-looking new Muslim nation-state into the imprecise, unclear, complex, controversial

conceptual area of religious ideology. Sectarian and theological differences and the sheer absence of a role

model Muslim nation any where in the world after the rule of the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH) in Madina

served only to encourage multiple forces of obscurantism and orthodoxy, each promoting a narrow

interpretation out-of-synch with the vital importance given by Islam to the acquisition and application of

knowledge. The "diversion" finally found expression in the tenure of General Ziaul Haq between 1977 and

1988, when the Objectives Resolution was made a substantive part of the 1973 Constitution.

The importance of "events" also becomes evident when we take note of actions in the first 11 years such as

the dismissal of the government of Prime Minister Khawaja Nazimuddin and the suspension/dissolution of

the Constituent Assembly by Governor General Ghulam Muhammad in April 1953 because it also revives

the significance of the in-advisability of the induction into their offices of both these personalities, as much as

it underlines the gross misuse of power by the Governor General, tragically subsequently condoned by the

superior judiciary. Such events created precedents for similar events in later parts of our history.

Students are urged to read the attached excerpts from the book: "The destruction of Pakistan's democracy"

by the American scholar Mr. Allen McGrath, published by Oxford University Press, Pakistan in 1996. By

reference to other excerpts which are included in this handout, students will be able to hopefully obtain a

reasonably accurate portrait of Pakistan in its first crucial decade. At the same time students are urged to use

ideas, suggestions and references in the lecture itself and in the handouts as clues that will lead them to even

more significant paths than the clues themselves, with the purpose of enabling them to see as large a picture

of those years as possible, with as much accuracy and truthfulness as is possible.

Globalization of Media MCM404

Excerpts from books for this hand-out:

Students are advised to read the following sections from books as listed below:

Excerpt provided: for an understanding of the international dimension of Pakistan's first 11

years in general and for appreciating Pakistan-India relations in particular, see relevant section in

Parts I & II of the book: "Pakistan's Foreign Policy, by S.M. Burke and Lawrence Ziring,

published by Oxford University Press, Karachi, 1990. Excerpts attached from page 16 to 46,

chapter 2: "The Kashmir dispute".

Pages 83 to Page 101 from the book: "The destruction of Pakistan's democracy" by the

American scholar Mr. Allen McGrath published by Oxford University Press, Pakistan in 1996.

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