Political History of Pakistan (1956–1958)

The years 1956 to 1958 were among the most politically unstable times in Pakistan’s early history. Following the ratification of the first constitution in 1956, the country saw rapid changes in leadership, policy shifts, internal protests, and constitutional dilemmas. This period is marked by three Prime Ministers in just two years, each with a distinct approach, limited tenure, and unique challenges.

1. Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy (12 Sept 1956 – 17 Oct 1957)

Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, the first Bengali Prime Minister of Pakistan, took office on 12 September 1956. His appointment was significant in a nation where over 50% of the population lived in East Pakistan but had seen no representation at the top level until then. Suhrawardy was a seasoned politician and had a strong connection with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who had publicly appreciated his leadership during his 1947 Karachi speech.

One of Suhrawardy's major achievements was laying the foundation of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations, a move that would prove beneficial for decades. Economically and strategically, this outreach became a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Suhrawardy also supported constitutional development, but internal tensions regarding language movements, particularly the demand to recognize Bengali as a national language, led to unrest in East Pakistan.

His relations with the President and military establishment worsened, and on 17 October 1957, he was forced to resign. Suhrawardy’s later years were marred by political suppression, and he died in mysterious circumstances in 1963, believed by many to be a political assassination.

2. I.I. Chundrigar (17 Oct 1957 – 11 Dec 1957)

Ismail Ibrahim Chundrigar served as the sixth Prime Minister of Pakistan but only for 55 days—the second shortest tenure in the country’s history. He faced a vote of no confidence, which led to his resignation on 11 December 1957. Due to his brief time in office, his contributions were limited. However, Karachi still remembers him with I.I. Chundrigar Road, a major financial hub named in his honor.

3. Feroz Khan Noon (16 Dec 1957 – 7 Oct 1958)

Feroz Khan Noon became Pakistan’s seventh Prime Minister on 16 December 1957. His tenure is marked by a major national achievement—the acquisition of Gwadar from the Sultanate of Oman in 1958. This strategic coastal city was purchased for $8.4 million and later proved pivotal for Pakistan’s defense and trade. Had this not happened, projects like CPEC and Pakistan-China port collaboration may never have materialized.

Noon’s government also supported continued constitutional reforms, but internal instability remained. Despite some administrative initiatives, the government failed to control rising tensions between political factions and the military.

Eventually, President Iskander Mirza, who had grown increasingly intolerant of parliamentary democracy, imposed Martial Law on 7 October 1958 with the help of General Ayub Khan. Ironically, it wasn’t a general who imposed the first martial law—it was the head of a democratic setup himself, Iskander Mirza. This act marked the end of Pakistan’s fragile parliamentary experiment and started a long era of military dominance.

This two-year period reflects the chronic instability and constitutional immaturity that plagued Pakistan’s early years, paving the way for authoritarian rule. The rise and fall of three Prime Ministers, despite their contributions, symbolize a deeply fractured system unable to provide continuity and vision for the nation’s future.