Category Archives: 1958

1958

September: Shahid Ali, Deputy Speaker of East Pakistan Assembly died. It was beleived that the cause of death were the wounds suffered 2 days ago when disorder broke out inside the assembly.

October: Martial Law: General Ayub Khan exiles President Iskander Mirza and assumes all powers. (The instrument of transfer)

ayub-khan-portrait.jpg

Muhammed Ayub Khan

Ayub Khan announced his cabinet: three military officials including Lt General Azam Khan, and eight civilians including a young politician Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

“All meetings and demonstrations are forbidden and political parties banned. Popular politicians are either imprisoned — including Sheikh Mujib, Maulana Bhashani, and Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan (NWFP)— or their activities are restricted.”

After Sheikh Mujib’s arrest on 11 October he was continiously harassed through one false case after another. Released from prison after 14 months, he was arrested again at the jail gate.

How General Ayub Khan assumed power

1958

With the support of General Mohammad Ayub Khan, President Iskander Mirza abrogates the Constitution, dismisses the Central and Provincial governments, dissolves the Assemblies, and proclaims Martial Law in the country. All meetings and demonstrations are forbidden and political parties banned. Popular politicians are either imprisoned — including Sheikh Mujib, Maulana Bhashani, and Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan (the latter a progressive leader from NWFP and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi) — or their activities are restricted.

Within the same month, General Ayub Khan exiles Iskander Mirza to the Great Britain before assuming all powers, along with the rank of Field Marshal.

“Democracy without education is hypocrisy without limitation.” —Iskander Mirza: Proclamation on abolition of the Assemblies: Time, October 20, 1958

Source: Uttorshuri