Interaction Team
The dismissal of Prime Minister Khwaja Nazimuddin in April 1953 by Ghulam Muhammad lingered as a contentious issue. It exemplified the growing interference of the Governor-General in the affairs of the executive and the weakening of parliamentary democracy. Mohammad Ali Bogra, the newly appointed Prime Minister, introduced efforts to stabilize the political system, including the infamous “Bogra Formula,” which attempted to address the issue of federal representation by balancing power between East and West Pakistan.
The Bogra Formula (1953-1954)
The Bogra Formula, unveiled in October 1953, sought to resolve the contentious issue of power distribution between the two wings of Pakistan. It proposed equal representation for East and West Pakistan in the National Assembly, regardless of population differences, and envisioned a bicameral legislature with 300 members equally divided between the two regions.
The formula also aimed to grant significant autonomy to provinces, leaving only defense, foreign affairs, and currency under federal control. Initially welcomed as a pragmatic solution, the Bogra Formula soon faced resistance from politicians who viewed it as a temporary fix rather than a comprehensive resolution to structural inequalities between the two regions.
Dissolution of the Constituent Assembly (1954)
In 1954, the fragile political balance was disrupted when Governor-General Ghulam Muhammad dissolved the Constituent Assembly. This drastic move followed the Assembly’s attempts to limit the Governor-General’s powers through legislation. The dissolution led to the famous Tamizuddin Case, where Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan, the Speaker of the Constituent Assembly, challenged the decision in court. The Federal Court, led by Chief Justice Muhammad Munir, ruled in favor of the Governor-General, invoking the controversial “doctrine of necessity.” This ruling set a dangerous precedent, legitimizing authoritarian intervention and undermining democratic principles.
The one unit scheme (1955)
A significant administrative shift followed in October 1955 with the implementation of the One Unit Scheme, merging the four provinces of West Pakistan (Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) into a single administrative entity. The policy aimed to create parity between East and West Pakistan in political representation but was met with widespread criticism.
Critics argued that it ignored the ethnic and cultural diversity of West Pakistan and centralized power in the hands of a select elite. Smaller provinces, such as Sindh and Balochistan, strongly opposed the scheme, perceiving it as an erosion of their identities and rights. In East Pakistan, the One Unit Scheme exacerbated existing grievances, as it was seen as a strategy to dilute their numerical majority and reinforce West Pakistan’s dominance.
Constitutional developments and the first Constitution (1956)
The promulgation of Pakistan’s first constitution in 1956 marked a significant milestone in the country’s constitutional and political development. However, the journey to this achievement was fraught with delays, political instability, and compromises.
Following the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly in 1954, Pakistan faced years of governance under the Government of India Act, 1935, with amendments to suit the emerging nation’s needs. Mounting public and political pressure finally led to the drafting and adoption of the 1956 Constitution, formally declaring Pakistan an Islamic Republic.
Key features of the 1956 Constitution:
1.Islamic Republic Status:
Pakistan was officially declared an Islamic Republic, with the Constitution affirming that no law would be enacted against the principles of Islam.
The document sought to integrate Islamic values into governance while respecting the diverse religious demographics of the country.
2.Federal parliamentary system:
A federal structure was introduced with a unicameral legislature (National Assembly), which served as the sole legislative body.
This system aimed to balance authority between the federal government and the provinces, providing limited autonomy to the latter.
3.Parity principle:
To address the growing tensions between East and West Pakistan, the Constitution introduced the parity principle, granting equal representation to both wings in the National Assembly, despite the population disparity.
This measure was intended to maintain political stability but remained a contentious issue, especially in East Pakistan.
4.Fundamental rights:
The Constitution guaranteed key fundamental rights, including freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and association.
These rights were aimed at fostering democracy and ensuring individual liberties.
5.Head of state:
The position of Governor-General was abolished and replaced with a President, who would serve as the ceremonial head of state.
The President was to be elected by members of the National Assembly and hold limited powers within the parliamentary framework.
6.Official language debate:
The Constitution declared Urdu and Bengali as the national languages, reflecting the linguistic diversity of East and West Pakistan.
This decision sought to address the linguistic tensions that had previously led to political unrest, particularly in East Pakistan.
7.Judiciary and rule of law:
The judiciary was tasked with upholding the Constitution and protecting fundamental rights.
However, the separation of powers between the judiciary, executive, and legislature remained a work in progress.
Significance of the 1956 constitution:
The Constitution of 1956 was a landmark achievement, as it provided Pakistan with its first formal legal framework after nearly a decade of political uncertainty. It institutionalized the idea of federalism and attempted to balance the interests of the two geographically and culturally distinct wings of the country.
Declaring Pakistan an Islamic Republic resonated with its ideological foundations, while the emphasis on fundamental rights reflected aspirations for democracy and progress.
Challenges and criticism:
Despite its significance as Pakistan’s first constitution, the 1956 Constitution faced several challenges that hindered its success. Political instability and frequent power struggles hampered its effective implementation, undermining its potential to establish a stable governance framework.
The parity principle, which granted equal representation to East and West Pakistan in the National Assembly, was particularly contentious, as many in East Pakistan viewed it as a denial of their numerical majority. Additionally, the Constitution’s centralized authority limited provincial autonomy, fueling dissatisfaction among smaller provinces and exacerbating tensions with East Pakistan.
Furthermore, the Constitution failed to garner universal support from political actors, many of whom regarded it as a temporary compromise rather than a sustainable solution to the country’s structural and political issues.
