Ayub Khan

Constitutional reforms:
There were 2. There was basic democracies and 1962 constitution.
Basic Democracies
In 1959 Basic Democracies were introduced in which a four tier structure
of government was allowing elections at various levels. Under this system
80,000 Basic Democrats were to be elected from village, sub-district, and
divisional councils. These 80,000 basic democrats later on acted as an
electoral college for the president. (DEFINITION).
The success of these councils which were set up was such that martial
law was lifted (SUCCESS).
However, there were other factors which were important aspects of his
domestic policies such as introduction of the new constitution
(DRAWBACK).
The constitution was president friendly; making amendments was easy
only if supported and endorsed by the president it was very lengthy and
difficult job. For making any amendment, the 2/3rd majority of the
assembly had to pass the bill and then had to send it to the president. If
president did not take up any objection for thirty days, the amendment
was considered valid.
Drawbacks
1. The religious elements were angry at Pakistan being made Into a
secular country. They wanted Islamic Laws to be re-implemented
2.Under the constitution,a presidential form of government was
introduced in which all the powers were with the president. It was a one
man show and a dictatorship
3. The common man had no political power or basicrights.
1962 constitution
Features
1. Pakistan was declared as republic of Pakistan
2. The constitution was president friendly; making amendments was
easy only if supported and endorsed by the president or it was a very
lengthy and difficult job
3. The centre had the authority to intervene in the provincial matters if
considered necessary (no provincial autonomy)
4. It was presidential in its nature with all the executive powers
(sweeping powers) resting with the president. He was the constitution
head of the government and state (DICTATOR)
5. The constitution of 1962 was a one man show
Drawbacks
1. The religious elements were angry at Pakistan being made into a
secular country. They wanted Islamic laws to be re-implemented.
2. Under the constitution, a presidential form of govt was introduced in
which all the powers was with the president. It was a one man show
and a dictatorship.
3. The common man had no political power or basic rights

Social reforms
Social reforms consists of:
1. Labour laws
2. Family laws
3. Refugee reforms
4. Population control policies
Labour laws
Elected union council : it is a group of
representatives of the workforce who fight for the
rights of the workers.

Ayub Khan introduced labour reforms. These were for the betterment of
the labour class. It was made mandatory for the factory owners to
recognise the elected union council and consider its opinion on all issues.
The government provided security to leader and members of elected
union council from revengeful activity from the factory owner. In
September 1961 a law was passed about the basic daily wages of
labourers. Social security scheme was promulgated by which the labour
were to be facilitated in case of any emergency.

Family laws: (potential 4 mark)

In addition a legal commission was set up to suggest reforms of the family
and marriage laws. Ayub Khan examined its report and issued the family
laws ordinance in 1961. It restricted polygamy and “regulated” marriage
and divorce,giving women more equal treatment under the law.
Refugee reforms:
Rehabilitation program for the 1947 refugee was started. When India was
divided, a large number of people migrated from to . They reached
Pakistan in a very poor condition. Quaid and liaquat Ali Khan took keen
interest in the rehabilitation of the immigrants of priority bases; however,
the later rulers did not consider it important enough to take steps for their
resolution. As soon as the military government was established, the
rehabilitation ministry, under the supervision of General Azam Ali, worked
so rigorously that it came up with the settlements of majority of migrants
in a very short time. Several societies were established to provide shelter
to the migrants, korangi being one of them.
Population control:
Population control encouraged by family planning program. This was
largely advertised on television and radio with the help of USA aid.

Successes:
1. Literacy level increased by 2%
2. Women were given standing under the family ordinance law
3. Rehabilitation by refugees was a success.
Failures:
1. The drawback was that the ulemas greatly criticised the family
planning programme declaring it as un Islamic hence they ended in a
failure.
2. The educational reforms failed because they were not properly
planned. Textbooks were not published and teachers were not
trained as per the new curriculum.
3. Another failure was that in Pakistan, majority of the population could
not afford to send their children to school and afford a loss of income
by making them quit work.

Educational reforms
– Ayub Khan introduced certain reforms in the field of education.
– It was meant to raise the literacy level and trained manpower in
Pakistan.
– He made technical education mandatory.
– Two year degree program was extended to 3 years.
– Civil defence training was made mandatory in the schools and
colleges
 – New curriculum was designed in order to support Ayub’s government
efforts to literate Pakistan
– This was also helped by building of new schools and colleges

Agricultural reforms
1. Land reforms
2. Green revolution
Land reforms :-
Definition : land was redistributed to farmers with medium sized farms
Why were land reforms introduced??
– He wanted to break the monopoly of land lords
– He wanted small farms merged together to make them more
productive
Features:
Irrigated land:
– Max = 500 acres (land ceiling)
– Minimum = 12.5 acres (land flooring)
Unirrigated land:
– Max = 1000 acres (land ceiling)
– Min = 12.5 acres (land flooring)
Green revolution: it had failures and drawbacks but in
the end it is a success
● Irrigation system was improved by building dams (tarbela, warsak and
mangla dams) barrages (Jinnah barrage and chashma barrage)and
canals
● Tube wells and high yielding varieties (HYV’s) were introduced
● Loans were given out for tractors and tube wells
● Subsidised electricity was also provided for tube wells
 ● Tractors, harvesters, and threshers helped the speed up of the
agricultural production by mechanising it
The drastic increase in agricultural output was
termed as the green revolution

Failures:
– The perks of green revolution could only be experienced by big
landowners because only they could afford it
– The redistribution of land was also a failure because the landlords
were too influential and powerful that they could easily manipulate
the revenue officials
– Another failure was that larger farms were inefficient compared to
smaller farms
Successes:
1. Pakistan’s agricultural output reached its record highest
2. Pakistan became self sufficient in food supply and now there were no
more food shortages

Industrial and economic reforms [most

important reforms]
● Pakistan’s first oil refinery, national oil refinery, was established along
with mineral development corporation to discover new mineral
deposits.
● Trade blocs such as RCD and ECO were established

Trade blocs : group of countries geographically

located near each other and they carry out free
trade(very less restriction)

RCD: Regional cooperation for development [trade

bloc] was signed between Pakistan Iran and
turkey . The purpose of this trade bloc was to
encourage trade.

ECO: Economic cooperation organisation [trade bloc].

It was first signed between Pakistan and Iran but
later is was signed between central Asian states to
encourage trade amongst Muslim countries

RCD and ECO will be counted as ayub Khan and foreign

policy

● The export bonus vouchers scheme of 1959 and tax incentives

stimulated new industrial entrepreneurs and exporters. Bonus
vouchers facilitated access to foreign exchange for imports of
industrial machinery and raw materials. Tax concessions were offered
for investment in less developed areas.
● The next step which the military administration took was the
management of price control cells and bodies. During the times of
democratic governments, there was no check over the prices of the
daily commodities of life
● Hoarding was very common. These factors were the primary sources
of inflation. The situation was aggravated by the excessive profits
earned by the retailers. The military government printed price lists
and made sure that no one could earn excessive profits by exploiting
the needs of the customers. Identification of economic flaws and their
rectification was one of the most high-pitched priorities of the military
government
● Smuggling was one of the monstrous issues that resisted the growth
of the country’s economy. Chittagong and Karachi seaports had been
used for smuggling since long. The role played by the politicians in
rapidly increasing with such an evil should not be neglected.
● As soon as the military government took over,strict disciplinary
 ●

actions were initiated against the smugglers; crackdowns were

planned to seize the people involved in such infamous activities.
[evading customs taxes and duties].
Successes
– National growth rate rose more than 7%
– Economy grew 3 times faster than any other south East Asian country
– The manufacturing output grew at an annual rate of 11.5% and per
capita income grew by an average of 14 percent
Failures
– This new wealth was concentrated in the hands of a few and the
general population did not benefit. Pakistan’s 66% of industrial wealth
and 80% of banking and insurance sector was owned by just 22
families.[total of 11 thousand ppl benefitting from much larger
population]The common man was not benefitting from the new
wealth.
– Another drawback was that these developments were regionalised
and only took place in west Pakistan. The number of ppl living in
severe poverty increased by an average of 1 million from 1963-1968
These were one of the main reasons for ayub khans downfall

Administrative reforms
Shifting of capital to islamabad
Definition:
Until 1958 the intention had been to build a new
capital at gadap, near Karachi. Instead, in 1960, the
government moved several hundred miles from Karachi
to the Punjab. Whilst a new capital city, Islamabad,
was being built, temporary buildings were used at
chaklala just outside of Rawalpindi. In 1967 the
government was settled in Islamabad.
Reasons for shifting capital:
1. One of the reasons given for the change was that Islamabad was a
more favourable location with a better climate. It had a strategic point
of view and was cooler.
2. Another important reason was that the government officials would be
well away from the commercial influences that were so strong in
Karachi. [ Commercial influences mean the business people who
would try and give bribes ]
3. Probably the most important consideration for Ayub Khan was his
wish to be close to the army’s command headquarters which was
located in Rawalpindi.
4. It was also seen as a move to shift the power base from the
industrially and commercially developed south to the Punjab in the
north.
Drawbacks:
1. The change was yet another cause of discontent in east Pakistan.
They preferred other sites for the national capital including,of course,
in their part of the country.
2. Building Islamabad cost a great deal of money at a time when
many Pakistanis were experiencing shortages. [took 7 years to shift
capital 1960-1967]
3. This, along with the claim that Ayub khans friends in the army and in
industry were making fortunes out of land speculation in the new city
caused great resentment.

Downfall of Ayub Khan [ 1969 ] ( year )

Immediate measure of the martial law regime were successful but in the
long term failed to solve problms
General reasons:
1. Concentration of political power in his own hands
2. No political power to the common man
3. During ayubs era there was a hold of military hierarchy, civil
beuracracy and rural elite in policy making.

The gist of these points is that there was no power to the common
man.
Dictator/dictatorship: when all the decision is taken by one person without
asking somebody else. We could also call this a one man show.
But people wanted parliamentary form of democracy. When the parliament
is elected and the decision is taken in the parliament.
This means that the common man has no political power.
The political power was not in the hands of a common man but in the
hands of basic democrats.
Rural elite : landlords
Civil beuraucracy : when the important decisions are taken by state/
government officials and not by elected officials.
4. disqualifications of politicians and political parties under EBDO.
(Elective bodies disqualification order). EBDO authorised special
tribunals to try former politicians for “misconduct” a term not
clearly defined. Prosecution could be avoided if the accused
agreed nor to be a candidate for any elective body for a period of
seven years. About 7,000 ppl were ebdoed. Some ppl including
surahwardy who was arrested fought prosecution.
EBDO is basically a silencing law to silence his critics/opponents
If any political party or politician was charged with misconduct then you
have 2 options.
– Accept your mistake and not be a part of any elective body or contest
 –
any election for 7 years. (Can’t be part of government)
– You can challenge the government that you are wrongly accused of
misconduct. In that case a trial would take place and there would be a
tribunal which would decide if you are guilty or innocent. If you are
found guilty, which you will be (corruption) , then in that case you
might face improsonment and heavy fines.
– In both option Ayub jaani is silencing his critics.
Misconduct: was not defined properly. This mean the power was in hands
of Ayub Khan. (Dictatorship)
Tribunal is basically a jury.
5. failure and backfiring of the ceremonies of celebrations of the
decade of development (1958-1969)
People saw a lot of money being used for celebration at a time when
there was a serious financial crunch. Pakistan was facing a financial crisis.
So because of this Ayub khans popularity decreased. (It was not a bad
idea. But it was poorly planned).
Economic reasons
1. There was economic growth in quantative terms but not in qualitative
terms. [quantity not quality]
2. There was economic inequality as there was 80% of the banking and
66% of industrial assets were controlled by 22 families and a total of
11 thousand people.
3. There was no foreign aid after 1965
4. Rapid growth of prices. (Inflation)
Dissatisfaction of east Pakistan:
1. East Pakistan considered martial law as the rule of Punjabi dominated
army
2. Issue of provincial autonomy was in east Pakistan
3. East Pakistan was politically deprived.
 4. East Pakistan was economically deprived.
All govt spending was done in west Pakistan. All the economic benefits
went to west Pakistan.
Strong opposition:
1. Political parties were also unhappy because of 1965 presidential
election. In 1965 Ayub Khan was opposed by Fatima Humna and
she was supported by large runner of Pakistanis and her rallies
were attended by huge crowds. But Ayub was accused of using
state machinery in making Fatima Jinnah lose against him.
2. Dynamic leadership of Bhutto, asghar Khan (WP), mujeeb, (EP)
bhasani (EP) etc.
3. Bhutto became a strong political opponent following the conflict
with Ayub over the Tashkent declaration.
Tashkent treaty:
Following the 1965 war, Tashkent’s treaty/declaration took place between
India and Pakistan. It was a peace agreement between India and Pakistan
signed on 10th January 1966 that resolved the indo pakistani war of 1965
with the help of USSR. It was signed by Pakistan’s president Ayub Khan
and Indian prime minister lal bahadur shastri. The declaration stated that
Indian and Pakistani forces would pull back to their pre conflict positions
(pre august lines) no later than 25th February 1966. The nations would not
interfere in each other’s internal affairs, economic and diplomatic relations
would be restored, there would be an orderly transfer of prisoners of war,
and the 2 leaders would work towards improving bilateral relations.
– PPP was established in December 1967: objectives of genuine
democracy, Islamic socialism, adult franchise and freedom of press.
– Slogan : “Roti Karpra aur Makan”
– Exploitation’s of Tashkent by Bhutto: Kashmir
– Students-police clash (November 1968) at Rawalpindi. One student
 –
died. Bhutto attended his funeral. Achieved support of students.
– Arrest of Bhutto on November 13th as he insists masses to violate
law.
– Asghar Khan continued the movement.
4. Popularity of mujeeb ur Rehman and awaami league in east Pakistan.
Mujeeb ur Rehman became popular and gained public support when
he was charged with treason for lowing the Agartala conspiracy.
Agartala conspiracy
Agartala conspiracy case was a treason charge filed against awami
leagues leader, mujeeb ur Rehman and 34 of his associates in 1968.
Mujeeb was accused of being a RAW agent and conspiring with India to
destabilise Pakistan. Following mujeeb arrest, widespread demonstrations
and riot broke out throughout east Pakistan and Ayub was forced to
release mujeeb.
Slogan: “gheraoo, jalaoo”. Burnt government offices and ministers houses.
Compelled a large number of Basic democrats to resign. Some were even
burnt alive. As a result Ayub khans basic democracy system also failed.
PPP and AL are demanding Ayub to resign and hold fresh elections.

Ayub resigned and martial law was re-enforced on March 25th 1969.
Yahya Khan was appointed as the chief martial law administrator and the
president.

Were the social reforms the most important of Ayub

khans domestic policy? Do you agree? Explain your
answer [14]

Ayub khan’s domestic policy had many reforms and one of the most
important reforms in this included his social reforms which included labour
laws, family laws, refugee reforms and population control policies.
Ayub Khan worked for the betterment of the labour class in his labour
laws by making it mandatory for the factory owner to recognise the
elected union council, he passed a law in September 1961 for the daily
wages of labourers and intorduced social security for the labourers in the
case of an emergency. I’m his family laws ordinance of 1961 he gave equal
rights to women as these laws restricted polygamy and regulated marriage
and divorce under the law. This way women were given equal treatment
under the law. He tried to solve the refugee issue after partition and did
help a lot of people by having several societies established to provide
shelter to the migrants, korangi being one of them. He also introduced
family planning programs with the help of US aid. Under These reforms
Women were given standing under the family ordinance law and
Rehabilitation by refugees was a success. But the population control
policy failed as many ulemas called it unislamic.

He introduced agricultural law aswell. This included green revolution and

land reforms. Under land reforms land was redistributed to farmers with
medium sized farms. He did this to break the monopoly of the landlords
and make the smaller farms more productive. If a farmer had an irrigated
land the minimum land for them was 12.5 acres and maximum amount was
500 acres. If they had unirrigated land the flooring for them was also 12.5
but land ceiling was 1000 acres of land. The redistribution of land was a
failure because the landlords were too influential and powerful that they
could easily manipulate the revenue officials
Another failure was that larger farms were inefficient compared to smaller
farms. He also introduced green revolution which is basically the increase
in output of agriculture in which it had its failures but it was an overall
success. Under it Irrigation system was improved by building dams such
as tarbela, warsak and mangla dams barrages such as Jinnah barrage and
chashma barrage and canals, Tube wells and high yielding varieties
(HYV’s) were introduced, Loans were given out for tractors and tube wells,
Subsidised electricity was also provided for tube wells, Tractors,
harvesters, and threshers helped the speed up of the agricultural
production by mechanising it. Under the green revolution Pakistan’s
agricultural output reached its record highest, Pakistan became self
sufficient in food supply and now there were no more food shortages. But
the thing is that The perks of green revolution could only be experienced
by big landowners because only they could afford it. Even though this was
a succes it was not the most important domestic policy.

He introduced educational reforms under which It was meant to raise the

literacy level and trained manpower in Pakistan, He made technical
education mandatory, Two year degree program was extended to 3
years,Civil defence training was made mandatory in the schools and
colleges, New curriculum was designed in order to support Ayub’s
government efforts to literate Pakistan , This was also helped by building
of new schools and colleges. The educational reforms failed because they
were not properly planned. Textbooks were not published and teachers
were not trained as per the new curriculum. Another failure was that in
Pakistan, majority of the population could not afford to send their children
to school and afford a loss of income by making them quit work.

Until 1958 the intention had been to build a new capital at gadap, near
Karachi. Instead, in 1960, the government moved several hundred miles
from Karachi to the Punjab. Whilst a new capital city, Islamabad, was being
built, temporary buildings were used at chaklala just outside of Rawalpindi.
In 1967 the government was settled in Islamabad.
One of the reasons given for the change was that Islamabad was a more
favourable location with a better climate. It had a strategic point of view
and was cooler. . Another important reason was that the government
officials would be well away from the commercial influences that were so
strong in Karachi. Probably the most important consideration for Ayub
Khan was his wish to be close to the army’s command headquarters which
was located in Rawalpindi. It was also seen as a move to shift the power
base from the industrially and commercially developed south to the
Punjab in the north. There were many drawbacks as east Pakistanis
resnted west Pakistan because the capital was again in west Pakistan and
east was neglected. It also cost a lot of money to build Islamabad at a
time when we did not have a lot of money and This, along with the claim
that Ayub khans friends in the army and in industry were making fortunes
out of land speculation in the new city caused great resentment.

There were also industrial and economic reforms included under which
pakistans first oil refinery, national oil refinery was established along with
mineral development corporation and trade blocs such as RCD and ECO
were established. There were tax incentives which stimulated new
industrial entrepreneurs, price control of cells and bodies helped the
common man not be exploited by shopkeepers and hoarding something to
drive up the price was also not allowed. The military also took strict
actions against smugglers as the ports of Karachi and Chittagong were
used to smuggle since long ago. These reforms caused the national
growth rate to rise by 7 percent. Pakistans economy grew by 3 times
faster than any other east asian country and the manufacturing output
goew at an annual rate of 11.5% and per capita income grew by an average
of 14%. These reforms had their drawbacks aswell. This newfound wealth
was concentrated in the upper upper class and there developments were
not introduced in east Pakistan which caused severe poverty increase by 1
million in east Pakistan from 1963-1968. This was the most important
reform by Ayub khan but this was also one of the main reasons for his
downfall.
I believe that the social reforms were not the most important reforms as
even though they helped the population they did not do anything to give
Pakistan an income which was a very big problem as Pakistan did not have
a lot of money. Instead I believe that the most important reform were the
industrial and economic reforms as they helped the economy and helped
Pakistan grow. That is why in Ayub khans rule it is called the decade of
development.