Revolution in Pakistan

📘 This is a study of the forty-four months (from October 1958 to June 1962) when Pakistan was governed by an administration whose ultimate sanction was that of armed authority. Although this administration began with a declaration of Martial Law, those responsible for sweeping away the Constitution of 1956 claimed to have instituted a much-needed revolutionary regime. A narrative account of the first three weeks—from President Iskander Mirza's declaration to the assumption of power by General Ayub Khan—is followed by chapters examining the political complications that ensued after the declaration of a republic under the newly-devised Constitution of 1956. The book then considers the reforms which the revolutionary regime sought to bring about, as well as the social, economic, religious, and political background which inspired them. There are further chapters on the efforts made to solve such problems as that of East Pakistan-West Pakistan relations and on matters of policy relating to foreign and Commonwealth affairs, relations with India, and so on. A final chapter defines what the revolution really amounted to and, since Pakistan is a prominent member of the comity of under-developed countries, Mr. Feldman examines the significance of this period in its international context.