PAKISTAN

Pakistan

Pakistan

Introduction

Upon partition from India on August 14 1947, Pakistan was heralded as a state that was a “political novelty - a homeland created to accommodate people who liked to live individually because they pursued a belief totally distinct from the most of the homeland of their origin”. However despite the optimism of the Muslims in being granted this state, from the beginning it was inundated with problems which in turn meant it was not able to achieve a steady democracy. Initial partition difficulties laid shaky foundations for the new nation and in the 24 years before East Pakistan became independent it skilled many difficulties in its political arena, both in authority and administration. The blend of these displays why in the end Pakistan failed to accomplish for itself a stable popular system.

The division of the subcontinent caused many problems for Pakistan, some of which would continue to haunt the nation as it tried to develop its system of government. The most major problem was that the Pakistan movement and other organisations such as the Muslim League were completely ignored whilst the division took place. In negiotiations they were outmanoeuvred and ended up with a raw deal getting some bits of land that India simply didn't desire, commonly renowned as “a meagre share of the ruins. This was shown in the geographical separation of East and West pakistan by over 1,000 miles. In addition the two areas were also very different in culture and population, thereby creating polarised states, and a breeding ground for conflict.

The main province in West Pakistan was Punjab, where the community consisted of a rich landlord class, an elitist group with powerful connections to the army. In stark compare the province of Bengal in East Pakistan was more in reverse, in both communal rank, learning and wealth. They were perceived as lower class Muslims being local converts to Islam and therefore were often regarded condescendingly by the Punjab elite. So although the Bengalis made up 55% of the population of Pakistan the Punjab elite were determined not to hand over power to them. So there was a need to 2prevent Bengali domination of the state ….as the landlords had no intention of becoming junior partners. In short they had “few political ideas in common.

Body: Discussion and Analysis

After the republic of Pakistan was founded, political instability continued because “no stable majority party emerged in the National Assembly”. Several short lived coalition governments followed with President Miza constantly forcing prime ministers to resign. When Miza realised that his support was diminishing he claimed he was dissatisfied with parliamentary democracy” and proclaimed martial law on October 7th 1958, dismissing the government and dissolving the National assembly once again. Although he was initially supported by General Muhammed Ayub Khan, commander-in chief of the armed forces. Twenty days later Ayub forced the president to resign and took the presidency for himself in the first of many coups d'etats in Pakistan's history. Sadly the army's entry into politics was “greeted with ...