Political History of Pakistan (1947-1951) _ The Era of Liaquat Ali Khan

 

Introduction

Pakistan emerged as an independent state on 14 August 1947. However, its birth brought a series of immediate and complex challenges including economic instability, social unrest, geographical disputes, and most critically, the absence of a constitution. Liaquat Ali Khan, Pakistan's first Prime Minister, took charge at this crucial time and led the country through its formative years.

Early Challenges

Right from the beginning, Pakistan faced severe political and administrative instability. Among the earliest issues was the refugee crisis which intensified after 15 August 1948, as waves of migrants arrived from India. Simultaneously, the Kashmir conflict of 1947–48 resulted in a full-fledged war between India and Pakistan, further straining the young nation's resources.

Internal Tensions

Internally, Pakistan also dealt with unrest in Baluchistan and the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), which posed significant threats to national unity and governance. These issues delayed political stability and made constitutional development even more urgent.

Constitutional Efforts

In response, Liaquat Ali Khan initiated the process of creating a constitution. His most significant contribution was the presentation and passage of the Objective Resolution in March 1949 by the Constituent Assembly. This resolution laid the ideological foundation of Pakistan and guided future constitutional development.

Economic and Institutional Development

Liaquat Ali Khan also took steps to stabilise the economy. He oversaw the creation of the State Bank of Pakistan, which was established on 1 July 1948. Moreover, the position of Finance Minister was introduced to structure financial governance.

Foreign Policy and Alliances

On the international front, Liaquat Ali Khan strategically aligned Pakistan with the Western bloc. His government signed a Treaty of Friendship with the United States, and thus, Pakistan’s foreign policy began tilting towards the U.S. during the early Cold War era. Additionally, to improve relations with India, he signed the Liaquat-Nehru Pact, which addressed minority rights and eased tensions between the two newly formed countries.

Conclusion

Liaquat Ali Khan’s era (1947–1951) was marked by foundational efforts in political structure, economic institutions, and foreign alliances. Despite numerous crises, his leadership helped shape the basic framework for Pakistan’s future. His untimely assassination in 1951, however, left the country politically unstable and stalled many progressive initiatives.

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