Pakistan Timeline: 1947-1956

India is divided into two independent states – Pakistan and Bharat.

Indian troops are airlifted to Srinagar – beginning of Indian occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.

Jinnah declares Urdu to be the national language of Pakistan in Dhaka, East Pakistan.

M. A. Jinnah, the father of the nation and the Governor General of Pakistan dies. The Chief Minister of East Pakistan, Khwaja Nazim-ud-Din becomes the new Governor General.

Prominent Bengali politician, Maulana Abdul Hameed Khan Bhashani establishes Awami Muslim League in Dhaka, East Pakistan. Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rehman becomes one of the Assistant General Secretaries of the party.

Nawabzada Liaqat Ali Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan is assassinated during his speech in a political gathering in Rawalpindi. Khwaja Nazim-ud-Din becomes the Prime Minister while Ghulam Muhammad, a public servant “somehow” becomes the Governor General.

The committee formed by the Constituent Assembly to formulates the guiding principles of the Constitution, presents its recommendations. One of the recommendations is that Urdu would be the only national language of Pakistan. This enrages people in East Pakistan.

Strong protests are held in Dhaka, East Pakistan against making Urdu the only national language of the country. The Bengali population perceives it as another attempt of West Pakistan to establish its cultural hegemony over the Bengali people.

Processions are held in East Pakistan and clashes between police and protestants result in killing of three students and injuring several others. Later, monuments are created to commemorate the sacrifice of the martyrs. These monuments soon become social symbols, especially for political activities and movements.

The Governor General Ghulam Muhammad dismisses the Prime Minister, Khwaja Nazim-ud-Din without taking any vote of confidence from the Parliament. Ghulam Muhammad appoints Muhammad Ali Bogra, the Ambassador to USA, as the Prime Minister of the country. Bogra having not much political influence in East Pakistan, soon became a “puppet” in the hands of Ghulam Muhammad.

Awami Muslim League is renamed as Awami League

Maulvi Fazl-e-Haq establishes his own political party in Dhaka called Krishak Sramik Party.

Elections for the Constituent Assembly are held in East Pakistan. These are the first elections after independence. Awami League, Krishak Sramik Party and few other parties form a United Front (Jugtu Front) against the Muslim League. Recognizing Bengali as national language and provincial autonomy are among the key points of the Front’s election charter. The Muslim League which is in power at the time wins only 9 seats in the elections. The Chief Minister, Noor-ul-Amin loses the contest against a student - candidate of the Front.

The United Front is invited to form government. Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rehman becomes a Minister

The Governor General dismisses the United Front government because the Chief Minister Fazl-ul-Haq had allegedly given a “rebellious” statement at Calcutta Airport a few days back. Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rehman is house-arrested. Governor’s Rule is imposed in the province (East Bengal).

The Governor General Ghulam Muhammad dissolves the Constituent Assembly. Muhammad Ali Bogra forms new government “without parliament” and appoints Ayub Khan, the Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army as Defence Minister.

A new Constituent Assembly is formed, comprising 180 members from provincial legislatures.

Governor’s Rule is lifted from East Pakistan. Krishak Sramik Party cooperates with the Muslim League in the Center and forms government in East Pakistan. Awami League forms part of the opposition.

Ghulam Muhammad exits from the political scene and Sikander Mirza who is a “non-political” figure, is sworn in as the new Governor General. Sikander Mirza appoints Chaudhry Muhammad Ali, a Muslim League nominee, as Prime Minister instead of Suharwardy, an Awami League candidate.

Awami League’s Ata-ur-Rehman criticizes the Muslim League in the Constituent Assembly: “…they view East Pakistan, its culture, its language, its literature or anything pertaining to it with contempt … the leaders of Muslim League do not view us as equals but as their subject and themselves as rulers.”

All the western provinces are merged to form one unit called West Pakistan.

The Constituent Assembly ratifies the first Constitution of Pakistan. The constitution provides for equal representation in the parliament of both provinces (East and West Pakistan) through the principle of “Parity”. Pakistan is declared as a “Republic” and the role of Governor General is replaced with that of President. Bengali is also recognized as national language

The new Constitution is enforced

Krishak Sramik Party government is forced to resign. Instead Awami League aligns with a party of a Hindu Leader G. K. Das to form government, with Ata-ur-Rehman as its Chief Minister.

Chaudhry Muhammad Ali resigns from the central government.

Hussain Shaheed Suharwardy becomes the new Prime Minister (verify role here). He enjoys support of the Rupublican Party that was formed with the auspices of Sikander Mirza.