Social Transformations in Contemporary Society, 2020 (8)
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SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION OF PAKISTAN UNDER ASSASSINATION OF
THE FIRST PRIME MINISTER OF PAKISTAN: LIAQUAT ALI KHAN
Dr. Sohaib Mukhtar
Bahria University, Pakistan
[email protected]
Abstract
The First Prime Minister of Pakistan Liaquat Ali Khan was the most influential person in initial
days of Pakistan after the death of the founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah on 11th September
1948. Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated on 16th October 1951 at Rawalpindi while addressing a public
rally. The assassination of Liaquat Ali Khan led Pakistan’s democratic journey into non-democratic
Governments which become the biggest hurdle in building Pakistan and empowerment of the people
of Pakistan. This paper finds out reasons of his assassination, consequences of his assassination and
lays down suggestions to be followed to achieve mission and vision of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and
Liaquat Ali Khan prescribed in Objectives Resolution passed by the first constituent assembly of
Pakistan on 12th March 1949 under the leadership of the First Prime Minister of Pakistan Liaquat Ali
Khan.
Purpose – This research is an analysis of the life of the first Prime Minister of Pakistan Liaquat
Ali Khan, his services for Pakistan and his sudden death due to assassination on 16 th October 1951
under the light of social, political, and legal perspective to find out consequences and effects of his
assassination on politics of Pakistan and recommend solutions to come out of the consequences
Pakistan is still facing and never come out of it after his assassination by following footsteps of
founding fathers of Pakistan as enunciated in Objectives Resolution passed by the first constituent
assembly of Pakistan on 12th March 1949.
Design/methodology/approach – This study is routed in qualitative method of research to
analyze, examine, review, and inquire into the life and assassination of the first Prime Minister of
Pakistan Liaquat Ali Khan under the light of social, political, historical, and legal perspective as well as
his efforts to formulate and lay down principles for future Constitution of Pakistan enunciated under
his leadership in Objectives Resolution passed by the first constituent assembly of Pakistan on 12th
March 1949.
Finding – This study would help people of the world generally and people of Pakistan specially
to understand the life and assassination of the first Prime Minister of Pakistan Liaquat Ali Khan, his
services for the motherland with founding fathers of Pakistan, effects and consequences of his
assassination Pakistan have been facing since 16th October 1951. A proper inquiry to inquire into the
assassination of Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan should be conducted and strong steps should be
taken for strengthening democratic institutions and norms in the society. Objectives Resolution should
be executed as will of the first Prime Minister of Pakistan and should be followed thoroughly to
strengthen Islamic, Cultural, Political, Ethical, Social norms in the society to make Pakistan a better
place as the first Prime Minister of Pakistan Liaquat Ali Khan wanted Pakistan to be a truly Democratic
Social Welfare Islamic State to be a role model for the world.
Research limitations/implications – This study is an analysis of the life and assassination of
the first Prime Minister of Pakistan Liaquat Ali Khan and its social, political and legal consequences on
Pakistan under Historical Perspective. This research will not go into detailed analysis of his entire life,
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services as political leader in British India and other connected matters as this research sticks into his
life and assassination and its consequences on politics in Pakistan.
Practical implications – This study aims to point out implications due to assassination of the
first Prime Minister of Pakistan Liaquat Ali Khan on Pakistan and politics of Pakistan as well as this
study intends to give suggestions to be followed to achieve goals which Liaquat Ali Khan and founding
fathers of Pakistan set for Pakistan to make Pakistan Democratic Social Welfare Islamic State.
Originality/Value – This study is original and personal work of the author on the chosen topic
and there are only a few articles written on related topic but not particular on the chosen topic and
this research is carried out keeping in mind principles of piracy and methods of doing illegal research.
Keywords: Liaquat Ali Khan, Pakistan, Objectives Resolution, Islamic Law.
Research type: general review.
Introduction
Liaquat Ali Khan was born on 1st October 1895 in British India. After initial education in
British India, he went to United Kingdom for higher education. He returned back to British
India and joined All India Muslim League in 1923. He started to raise his voice for the rights of
minority Muslims of India. He was elected member of Provincial Assembly in 1926 and later
elected member in 1940 and 1945-46 elections of Central Legislative Assembly.
Liaquat Ali Khan with his second wife Begum Rana Liaquat Ali Khan encouraged
Muhammad Ali Jinnah to return back to British India to strive and struggle for separate land
of Muslims in British India. Liaquat Ali Khan was elected General Secretary of India. On 23rd
March 1940 All India Muslim League under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jinnah passed
resolution to strive and struggle for separate Muslim land in British India.
Pakistan came into being on 14th August 1947 and Liaquat Ali Khan was elected as its
first Prime Minister and Muhammad Ali Jinnah as its first Governor General. Liaquat Ali Khan
and Muhammad Ali Jinnah encouraged scientists, engineers and educationalists to come to
Pakistan to make a road map for future policies of Pakistan.
The most significant work of Liaquat Khan is the Objectives Resolution which was
passed by the first constituent assembly of Pakistan in 1949. It laid down principles for future
Constitution of Pakistan. Later it was made preamble of the Constitution of Pakistan 1973 and
its operative part in 1985 under article 2A.
The Objectives Resolution is the most important legislative document in legal history of
Pakistan. All Constitutions of Pakistan embodied principles laid down in the Objectives
Resolution as well as the text of the Objectives Resolution have been made preamble of all
Constitutions of Pakistan.
Liaquat Ali Khan faced opposition by socialists of Pakistan when he introduced
economic policy of Pakistan based on capitalism and joined United States of America rather
than joining Soviet Union. Socialists of Pakistan with the help of Major General Akbar Khan
planned a coup against the government of Liaquat Ali Khan in 1951 which was unsuccessful.
United States of America asked military support from Pakistan in South Korea and
demanded military basis in Pakistan to keep an eye on Soviet Union. Liaquat Ali Khan refused
thus United States of America due to unhappiness tried to hire Pashtuns to assassin him.
India was also unhappy with Liaquat Ali Khan as after first war on Kashmir issue in
1947-48, a ceasefire agreement solemnized but India was unwilling to fulfill its promise to
organize plebiscite in Kashmir. Liaquat Ali Khan ordered Army Chief Ayub Khan to sort out
the issue of Kashmir through military operation.
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Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated by Said Akbar on 16th October 1951 in Rawalpindi.
Said Akbar fired two bullets on Liaquat Ali Khan and a man behind Said Akbar assassinated
Said Akbar immediately at the spot.
After assassination of Liaquat Ali Khan, two more important assassinations took place in
Pakistan: one is of the President Zia ul Haq in 1988 and another one is of Benazir Bhutto in
2007. A comprehensive inquiry, investigation, trial required to be conducted to sort out these
mysterious assassinations of important political figures of Pakistan to save Pakistan from
future disaster as these mysterious assassinations badly effected Pakistan’s foreign policy,
economic policy and other state policies.
This study is general review of life and assassination of the first Prime Minister of
Pakistan Liaquat Ali Kan and consequences Pakistan have been facing due to assassination of
Liaquat Ali Khan on 16th October 1951.
Liaquat Ali Khan
Liaquat Ali Khan was the first Prime Minister of Pakistan from 14th August 1947 until his
death on 16th October 1951. He is known as Quaid-e-Millat/leader of the nation and Shaheede-Millat/Martyr of the nation. He faced a lot of hurdles during initial days of Pakistan as after
the death of the founder and the first Governor General of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah on
11th September 1948, Liaquat Ali Khan was the most influential personality in Pakistani
politics until his assassination on 16th October 1951. He faced criticism by leftists and
communists when he opted to join United States of America rather than Soviet Union (Hasan,
1951).
Liaquat Ali Khan after completion of his higher studies in England, returned back to
India and joined All India Muslim League in 1923 under the leadership of Muhammad Ali
Jinnah and gave his ideas for betterment of the struggle for the rights of Muslim minority of
British India. Liaquat Ali Khan participated in Provincial Legislative Assembly Elections in
1926 and won his seat from Muzzaffarnagar. Later, he was elected Deputy President of Uttar
Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1932 (Zaidi, 2010).
Liaquat Ali Khan entered Federal Level Politics and participated in 1940 elections of
Legislative Assembly and spoke, struggle for the rights of Muslim minority of British India in
front of British rulers and their Hindu representatives. Liaquat Ali Khan and his second wife
Begum Rana Liaquat Ali Khan played important part to bring back Muhammad Ali Jinnah to
Indian Politics as after the first round table conference held in England in 1930, Muhammad
Ali Jinnah permanently settled in England and quit politics but rejoined All India Muslim
League to struggle for separate land of Muslims of India (Wolpert, 1984).
Liaquat Ali Khan was elected as General Secretary of All India Muslim League in 1936
and also Deputy Parliamentary Leader of All India Muslim League. On 23rd March 1940 in a
meeting held at Minto Park Lahore, All Muslim League passed a resolution to start struggle,
strive for separate country of Muslims of India as Hindu dominated leaders of India in their
recent Government deprived Muslims to practice their lives in accordance with their religion
Islam (Hayat, 1991).
Liaquat Ali Khan won Central Legislative Council seat in 1940 and 1945 elections held in
British India. All India Muslim League won 87% of seats allocated for Muslims of India
denoting that All India Muslim League is the only political party which represents Muslim
minority population of India which has already demanded a separate land for Muslims of
India. After elections held in 1945-46 an interim government took place with some members
from All India Muslim League and some from Indian National Congress. Liaquat Ali Khan was
appointed as Finance Minister in that interim cabinet (Khan, 2005).
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On 3rd June 1947, Lord Mountbatten accepted the idea for a separate land for Muslims of
India thus on 14th August 1947 under Indian Independence Act 1947 Pakistan came into being
as Muhammad Ali Jinnah took oath as the first Governor General of Pakistan and Liaquat Ali
Khan took oath as the first Prime Minister of Pakistan. Pakistan was separated into East and
West parts. The East Pakistan was dominated by communists and West Pakistan was
dominated by Socialists (Belokrenitsky & Moskalenko, 2013).
Liaquat Ali Khan faced internal unrest and he opted to visit United States of America
rather than visiting Soviet Union. He also faced challenges from Indian side on Kashmir issue,
India attacked on Kashmir and that battle end on ceasefire agreement 1948-49. Indian Prime
Minister dragged issue of Kashmir to United Nations and pledged that a plebiscite will take
place in Kashmir and people of Kashmir will be given right to choose either to go with
Pakistan or with India but this promise never fulfilled (Mukhtar, 2019).
Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Liaquat Ali Khan asked renowned personalities to make
policies of Pakistan in the field of education, physics, mathematics, and science. Liaquat Ali
Khan brought Muslim engineers and scientists from India to make a strong road map in their
fields for future of Pakistan. Liaquat Ali Khan with the recommendation of the then Finance
Minister Malik Ghulam Muhammad introduced 5 year economic policy based on capitalism as
on the other hand Nehru went on to introduce Indian economic policy based on socialism
(Lewis, 1969).
Liaquat Ali Khan faced criticism by socialists by joining hands with capitalist
government of United States of America. Soviet Union leader Joseph Stalin sent an invitation
to Liaquat Ali Khan to visit Soviet Union. Later United States of America sent an invitation.
Liaquat Ali Khan chosed to visit United States of America in May 1950 setting foreign policy of
Pakistan closest to United States of America rather than Soviet Union. Liaquat Ali Khan asked
United States of America to support Pakistan financially but the relationship deteriorated
when United States of America asked military help from Pakistan in South Korea and Liaquat
Ali Khan refused (Kundi, 2009).
Liaquat Ali Khan was asked to provide military bases to Central Intelligence Agency
(CIA) of United States of America to keep an eye on Soviet Union but Liaquat Ali Khan refused.
Liaquat Ali Khan also asked General Ayub Khan to sort out Kashmir dispute once in for all
through military operation. United States of America disliking Liaquat Ali Khan hiring Pashtun
to assassin Liaquat Ali Khan promising Pashtun for interdependent state of Pashtuns (Kazimi,
2003).
Liaquat Alli Khan was addressing a public gathering at Company Bagh Rawalpindi when
an assassin named Said Akbar shot him twice on his chest. He was shot dead reciting ‘O
Almighty Allah please save and protect Pakistan’ (Hali, 2010).
Company Bagh was later renamed with Liaquat Bagh in honor of the first Prime Minister
of Pakistan Liaquat Ali Khan. May Allah Almighty grant him heaven!
Objectives Resolution
The most dynamic work initiated by the first Prime Minister of Pakistan Liaquat Ali
Khan was moving the Objectives Resolution before the first constituent assembly of Pakistan
on 7th March 1949. After heated discussion between Muslim majority members of the first
constituent assembly of Pakistan and minority members, the Objectives Resolution was
unanimously passed on 12th March 1949. The Objectives Resolution laid down basic Islamic,
Cultural, Political, Ethical, and Social norms to be embodied in future Constitution of Pakistan
(Ahmad, 2018).
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First of all the Objectives Resolution declares Pakistan an Islamic country by stating that
sovereignty belongs to Allah Almighty alone. Sovereign is an entity which is followed by
others and not following others thus Allah Almighty is the only entity which is followed by
others and not following others (Paul, 1962).
Secondly, the Objectives Resolution states that the state of Pakistan is sacred trust,
legislature, executive and judiciary are trustees and people of Pakistan are beneficiaries. Trust
includes author, trustee and beneficiary. Pakistan is declared trust where public
representatives in legislature and executive as well as judges in judiciary are trustees and
public at large are beneficiaries (Rahman, 1973).
Thirdly, the Objectives Resolution states that the State of Pakistan is required to exercise
powers and authority through chosen representatives of people within limits prescribed by
Allah Almighty in Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad ﷺin Sunnah (Mukhtar, 2017).
Fifthly, the Objectives Resolution states that Muslims of Pakistan are allowed and
encouraged to order their lives in accordance with teachings and requirements of Islam as set
out in Holy Quran and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ( ﷺShah, 1987).
Sixthly, the Objectives Resolution states that principles of democracy, freedom, equality,
tolerance and social justice, as enunciated by Islam shall be fully observed in the state of
Pakistan (Rahman, 1970).
Furthermore, the Objectives Resolution states that adequate provisions will be made for
protections of minorities so that they may freely profess and practice their religion and
develop their culture in the state of Pakistan (Raza, 2017).
The Objectives Resolution states about provincial autonomy that all units of the
Federation shall be autonomous within such limitations and boundaries on their authority
and powers as may be prescribed. Independence, integrity and all other sovereign rights on
air, land, and sea shall be fully safeguarded (Mukhtar, 2016).
The Objectives Resolution guaranteed freedom of thought, freedom of expression,
freedom of belief, faith and worship, right to profess, practice and propagate religion as well
as Social, Economic and Political Justice without any discrimination as to caste, race, religion,
and place of birth (Choudhury, 1969).
The Objectives Resolution also guaranteed freedom of association, freedom of trade,
business, profession, equality of citizenship, equality of status, right to life, liberty as well as
equality of opportunity so that people of Pakistan may attain their rightful place amongst
nations of the World and make their full contribution towards international peace, prosperity,
progress and happiness of humanity (Choudhry, 2012).
All fundamental rights guaranteed in the Objectives Resolution later embodied and
guaranteed under the first Constitution of Pakistan 1956, the second Constitution of Pakistan
1962 and the current Constitution of Pakistan 1973 (Lau, 2006).
The Objectives Resolution guaranteed fundamental rights which are also guaranteed
under the current Constitution of Pakistan 1973 including (i) protection of language and
culture, (ii) protection against discrimination is services, (iii) right to access public places, (iv)
right of education, (v) rule of law, (vi) protection of property rights, (vii) right to acquire, hold,
and dispose of property, (viii) protection against compulsory attendance of religious
institution, (ix) protection against imposed religious taxation, (x) freedom of religion, (xi)
right to information, (xii) freedom of speech, (xiii) freedom of trade, business, and profession,
(xiv) freedom of association, (xv) freedom of assembly, (xvi) freedom of movement, (xvii)
protection of home against torture, (xviii) protection against jeopardy and self-incrimination,
(xix) protection against retrospective punishment, (xx) protection against slavery and forced
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labor, (xxi) right of due process and fair trial, (xxii) protection against illegal detention, and
(xxiii) protection of life and liberty.
Though these fundamental rights are embodied in the Constitution of Pakistan 1973 but
implementation of these fundamental rights requires an independent judiciary and strong
administration thus the Government of Pakistan is suggested to make sure implementation of
these fundamental rights which are guaranteed in the Objectives Resolution later embodied in
the Constitution of Pakistan 1973.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Liaquat Ali Khan was the first Prime Minister of Pakistan joined All India Muslim League
in 1923 and elected as General Secretary of All India Muslim League in 1936. He was the most
influential leader of Pakistani politics after the death of the first Governor General of Pakistan
Muhammad Ali Jinnah on 11th September 1948.
Liaquat Ali Khan had two options either to join hands with United States of America or
go towards Soviet Union. He opted to join capitalist government of United States of America as
the first five year economic plan of Pakistan was also based on capitalism. Socialists of
Pakistan were unhappy with Liaquat Ali Khan thus an unsuccessful coup called Rawalpindi
Conspiracy were initiated by socialists with the help of Major Genearl Akbar Khan.
Liaquat Ali Khan relationship with United States of America deteriorated when he
refused to send military troops in support of United States of America in South Korea and also
refused to give military bases in Pakistan to Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of United States
of America to keep an eye on Soviet Union.
Soviet Union was also unhappy with Liaquat Ali Khan as he opted to join United States of
America. On the other hand India was smelling another war with Pakistan on Kashmir issue as
Liaquat Ali Khan asked newly appointed Army Chief Ayub Khan to settle Kashmir issue once
in for all. There are reports that the United States of America were hiring Pashtuuns to
assassin Liaquat Ali Khan.
On 16th October 1951 Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated by Pashtun Said Akbar while
the first Prime Minister of Pakistan was addressing a public gathering at Company Bagh later
known as Liaquat Bagh. The last words of Liaquat Ali Khan were: May Allah Almighty protect
Pakistan. The assassin Said Akbar was immediately shot dead at the spot.
A comprehensive inquiry and investigation never conducted, later two more major
leaders of Pakistan assassinated namely Zia ul Haq in 1988 and Benazir Bhutto in 2007. It is
suggested that a complete and comprehensive inquiry and investigation should be conducted
and culprits, abettors, conspirators should be given exemplary punishments after trial to
prevent mysterious assassinations of important personalities and public figures of Pakistan in
future.
It is also suggested that the Objectives Resolution passed by the first constituent
assembly of Pakistan on 12th March 1949 under the leadership of Liaquat Ali Khan laid down
principles for future constitution and laws of Pakistan should be implemented in true spirit as
will of the founding fathers of Pakistan to make Pakistan Islamic Social Welfare State to be a
role model for rest of the world.
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