Muhammad Ayub Khan and the 'Decade of Progress', 1958-1969

O Level Pakistan Studies History · Nationhood: 1947 to 1971. A short explanation of the idea, the rules to remember, the mistake to avoid, a worked example and practice questions with answers.

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The idea

General Ayub Khan took power in October 1958 and ruled for over ten years. He believed Pakistan was not ready for full parliamentary democracy, so he built a controlled system. People elected local councillors called Basic Democrats, and these councillors, not the public, chose the President. The 1962 Constitution gave the President very strong powers.

His government brought fast growth in industry and farming, the Green Revolution, family law reform and a new capital, Islamabad. Critics said the new wealth went to a small group and that East Pakistan gained little.

The 1965 war with India ended without victory. The Tashkent Declaration angered many people, protests grew, and Ayub resigned in March 1969.

Rules to remember

Basic Democracies, 1959: elected local councils; 80,000 Basic Democrats (40,000 in each wing) also formed the electoral college
1962 Constitution: presidential system; President elected by the Basic Democrats
January 1965 presidential election: Ayub Khan defeated Fatima Jinnah
Land reforms, 1959: a ceiling on landholdings (500 acres irrigated, 1,000 acres unirrigated)
Green Revolution: higher crop yields from new seeds, fertiliser and tube-wells
Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961: regulated marriage, divorce and polygamy
War with India, September 1965; Tashkent Declaration, January 1966, mediated by the USSR; Ayub resigned on 25 March 1969 and handed power to General Yahya Khan

Common mistake

Students think the Tashkent Declaration settled Kashmir. It only returned both armies to their pre-war positions, which is why it was so unpopular in Pakistan.

Worked example

Fatima Jinnah drew very large crowds in 1965, yet Ayub Khan won the presidential election. What feature of the system helps to explain this?

Under the 1962 Constitution the public did not vote for the President.
Only the 80,000 Basic Democrats voted.
Critics said so small a group of local councillors was easy for the government to influence.

Answer: The indirect election through the Basic Democrats. Crowd support did not turn into votes because ordinary people had no vote for the President.

Practice questions

Try each one, then open the answer.

1. Why did the Tashkent Declaration damage Ayub Khan's popularity?

A
it was seen as gaining nothing on Kashmir
B
it handed East Pakistan's defence to India
C
it ended all American aid to Pakistan
D
it forced Pakistan to leave the UN

Show answer

Answer: A. Many in West Pakistan felt let down; Bhutto left the government, founded the PPP in 1967 and led protests against Ayub.

2. What did the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance of 1961 do?

A
made Friday the weekly holiday
B
introduced the Hudood punishments
C
required zakat deductions from banks
D
regulated marriage, divorce and polygamy

Show answer

Answer: D. It required marriages to be registered and permission before a second marriage. Hudood and zakat deductions were introduced by Zia.

3. Which new capital city was planned and built under Ayub Khan?

A
Karachi
B
Rawalpindi
C
Islamabad
D
Lahore

Show answer

Answer: C. The capital moved from Karachi; Rawalpindi served as the temporary capital while Islamabad was built.

Read the full notes

26. Field Marshal Mohammad Ayub Khan 1958 To 1969

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