| After the assassination of Liaquat Ali Khan, there
appeared no one who could take his place as leader of the Nation. It seemed at the time
that Quaid-e-Millat had been the only solace for Pakistan. However, someone had to take
the job, and the Cabinet asked the Governor-General, Khawaja Nazimuddin to step in as
Prime Minister of Pakistan. And Ghulam Mohammed the then Finance Minister was elevated to
the post of governor-general. Although, the appointed of Khawaja Nazimuddin was not a
democratic or parliamentary move, but as there was no other way to solve this problem but
to replace Liaquat Ali Khan with the leader of the Muslim League and Chief Minister of
east Pakistan. Problems for Pakistan started as early as this period. The Muslim League,
which had been the driving force behind the creation of Pakistan, which had been the party
of Quaid-e-Azam and Quaid-e-Millat, started showing weaknesses. Rifts were seen in the
league, and these rifts had started shaping in the period of Liaquat Ali Khan and this had
led to the dismissal of the ministries in the provinces. Under Khawaja Nazimuddin, these
became forcefully evident. The Punjabi and Bengali Groups agreed on a formula in which
either the governor-general or Prime Minister should be from each province. Ghulam
Mohammed, the Governor-General was a representative of the Punjabi Group. All these group
formings and factional tendencies lead to the neglect of Abdur Rub Nishtar - the heir
apparent of Liaquat Ali Khan. During this period, the Basic Principles Committee presented
its second report in 1952. Among other points, it comprised of the following points: 1- The Central Legislature was to consist of two Houses with equal power.
2- The President would be elected by a joint session if the
Houses. He was to be a Muslim and not impeachable.
3- In the Upper House of the Central Legislature the
principle of parity between the two wings of Pakistan was introduced. Both wings (East and
West Pakistan) had 60 representatives, while West Pakistan was sub-divided into provinces.
4- The Lower House or the House of people consisted of
representatives elected on population basis. The brief tenure of Prime Minister Khawaja
Nazimuddin was wrought with problems. Mainly, it was marred with economic difficulties and
food shortage.
On January 21, 1953 the working committee of All-Pakistan
Muslim Parties convention, through a deputation of Ulemas conveyed an ultimatum to the
Prime Minister to declare the followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani as a non-Muslim
minority, plus the removal of the same from high positions, like Chaudhri Zafrullah
(Foreign Minister), otherwise face the consequences.
On February 27, 1953 the ultimatum was rejected, which
resulted in riots against the Government and Qadianis. Mumtaz Muhammad Khan Daultana, the
Chief Minister of Punjab at the time, did nothing to control the situation. The Center
persuaded by Iskander Mirza (Defence Secretary) imposed Martial Law in Punjab. Nazimuddin
dismissed Daultana and was replaced by Feroz Khan Noon, the Governor of East Pakistan.
Great changes were to occur and on 19th April, 1953, Governor-General, Ghulam Muhamad
asked Nazimuddin to resign. The later gentleman refused as he was enjoying confidence of
the majority party. The Governor-General referred to Section 10 of the Government of India
Act, 1935, whereby he was empowered to summon and choose the Council of Ministers and the
Council was to continue during his pleasure. Thus the second Prime Minister of Pakistan
was removed from office just as the dark clouds were settling over the future of politics
in Pakistan. Was this an omen to things to come in Pakistan? |
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