Political History of Pakistan (1951-1960)

1951:

• January 24: Pakistan and India sign the Delhi Agreement to resolve the issue of evacuee property.
• February 2: The Karachi Stock Exchange is established, becoming the country’s first stock exchange.
• March 1: The Urdu Science Board is founded to promote scientific education in the Urdu language.
• April 30: Pakistan’s first general elections are held for the Constituent Assembly.
• May 29: The Indus River Basin Treaty is signed between India and Pakistan, addressing the distribution of water resources.
• June 7: The Pakistan Army conducts its first military exercise, codenamed “Exercise Desert Hawk.”
• July 4: Pakistan and China establish diplomatic relations.
• August 19: Pakistan’s first television station, Lahore TV, begins broadcasting.
• September 17: The East Pakistan Provincial Assembly is dissolved by the Governor-General.
• October 17: The National Flag of Pakistan is adopted.
• 1952:
• January 1: The All Pakistan Mohajir Student Organization (APMSO) is established in Karachi.
• February 11: The Urdu Language Movement protests for the recognition of Urdu as the national language.
• March 4: The Rawalpindi Conspiracy Case concludes, resulting in the sentencing of several military officers.
• April 12: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is formally established as the national airline.
• May 9: The Punjab University Riot takes place, leading to clashes between student groups.
• June 1: Pakistan’s first steel mill, Pakistan Steel Mills, is inaugurated in Karachi.
• July 26: The Sino-Pak Agreement is signed between Pakistan and China, recognizing the borders of Azad Kashmir.
• August 10: The Pakistan Navy is formed with the establishment of its naval headquarters.
• September 6: The All Pakistan Music Conference is held in Karachi, promoting classical music.
• October 24: The All Pakistan Awami Muslim League is formed by Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy.
• 1953:
• January 12: Anti-Ahmadiyya riots erupt in Lahore, leading to significant communal violence.
• February 18: The Lahore Resolution Day is celebrated to commemorate the historic Lahore Resolution of 1940.
• March 12: Martial law is imposed in Lahore to restore law and order during the anti-Ahmadiyya riots.
• April 14: The Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) is established to promote industrial growth.
• May 28: The Indus Water Treaty is signed between Pakistan and India, addressing water disputes.
• June 14: The Pakistan National Assembly passes the Objectives Resolution as a substantive part of the Constitution.
• July 21: The State Bank of Pakistan is nationalized.
• August 14: Pakistan celebrates its sixth anniversary of independence.
• September 8: The Karachi-Kotri railway line is inaugurated, connecting Karachi to the rest of Pakistan.
• October 27: The Manto-Nama controversy arises, resulting in the ban of Saadat Hasan Manto’s book “Khol Do.”
• 1954:
• January 15: The first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan dissolves, and Governor-General Ghulam Muhammad assumes power.
• February 23: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) acquires its first jet fighters, the F-86 Sabre.
• March 23: The Pakistan Day Parade is held to commemorate the Lahore Resolution of 1940.
• April 14: The One Unit Scheme is implemented, merging the four provinces of West Pakistan into one administrative unit.
• May 1: Pakistan and Iran sign the Saadabad Pact, promoting mutual cooperation and regional security.
• June 11: Pakistan’s first five-year plan is launched to promote economic development and industrial growth.
• July 14: The Pakistan Red Crescent Society is established to provide humanitarian aid and support.
• August 8: The East Pakistan Renaissance Society is formed to promote cultural and intellectual activities.
• September 12: Pakistan’s first public sector university, the University of the Punjab, is established in Lahore.
• October 18: The Pakistan-US Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement is signed, strengthening military cooperation.
• 1955:
• January 12: Pakistan becomes a member of the United Nations.
• February 2: The All Pakistan Awami League is formed by Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy.
• March 23: The Indus Basin Development Fund is created to finance irrigation and agriculture projects.
• April 14: The All Pakistan Women’s Association is founded to promote women’s rights and welfare.
• May 6: The Pakistan Academy of Letters is established to promote literature and literary activities.
• June 1: The Sindh Madressatul Islam University is founded in Karachi to provide modern education.
• July 8: Pakistan and Iran sign the Helmand River Treaty, addressing water-sharing arrangements.
• August 14: Pakistan celebrates its eighth anniversary of independence.
• September 11: The All Pakistan Newspapers Society is formed to represent the newspaper industry.
• October 10: The Aga Khan University and Hospital are established in Karachi.
• 1956:
• February 29: The Constitution of Pakistan is adopted, making Pakistan the first Islamic republic.
• March 17: Iskander Mirza becomes the first President of Pakistan under the new constitution.
• April 23: The National Awami Party is formed by Abdul Ghaffar Khan.
• May 23: The Basic Democracies system is introduced, providing local representation through electoral colleges.
• June 6: The Industrial Relations Ordinance is passed to regulate labor relations and promote workers’ rights.
• July 9: The State Bank of Pakistan issues the country’s first national currency, the Pakistani rupee.
• August 14: Pakistan celebrates its ninth anniversary of independence.
• September 17: The National Assembly is dissolved by President Iskander Mirza.
• October 7: The United States provides economic assistance to Pakistan under the Colombo Plan.
• November 30: The Rawalpindi Conspiracy Case begins, involving a plot to overthrow the government.
• 1957:
• January 24: Martial law is imposed in East Pakistan to suppress political unrest.
• February 28: President Iskander Mirza dissolves the Constituent Assembly, leading to political turmoil.
• March 11: General Ayub Khan assumes power as the Chief Martial Law Administrator.
• April 6: The Constitution of 1956 is abrogated, and martial law is extended throughout the country.
• May 23: The Anti-Ahmadiyya Movement begins, calling for the declaration of Ahmadis as non-Muslims.
• June 8: The Basic Democracies Elections are held, electing members to the Electoral College.
• July 4: Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) is established to oversee nuclear development.
• August 14: Pakistan celebrates its tenth anniversary of independence.
• September 21: The Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan is signed in Karachi.
• October 7: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) begins operations in Pakistan.
• 1958:
• February 7: President Iskander Mirza appoints General Ayub Khan as the Chief Martial Law Administrator.
• March 25: Martial law is extended to the whole of Pakistan, and President Iskander Mirza is ousted.
• April 27: General Ayub Khan assumes the office of the President of Pakistan.
• May 5: The Ayub Khan regime introduces the Pakistan Development Plan.
• June 14: The All Pakistan Muttahida Students Organization (APMSO) is formed in Karachi.
• July 10: The Basic Democracies elections are held, forming a new electoral college.
• August 14: Pakistan celebrates its eleventh anniversary of independence.
• September 17: The first Ayubian Constitution is promulgated, concentrating power in the presidency.
• October 7: The National Education Commission is established to reform the education system.
• November 23: Pakistan hosts the first Asian Games in Dhaka.
• 1959:
• January 23: The Pakistan Air Force Academy is established in Risalpur.
• February 12: The Constitution of Pakistan (1956) is officially abrogated.
• March 19: Pakistan becomes a founding member of the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO).
• April 14: The Family Laws Ordinance is promulgated, providing for marriage and divorce regulations.
• May 15: The Lahore-Islamabad Motorway project is launched, marking the beginning of modern motorway construction.
• June 8: Pakistan’s first television station, Pakistan Television (PTV), begins regular transmission.
• July 2: The first-ever population census in Pakistan is conducted.
• August 14: Pakistan celebrates its twelfth anniversary of independence.
• September 15: The Basic Democracies elections are held, forming the new electoral college.
• October 16: The Karachi Nuclear Power Plant is inaugurated as Pakistan’s first nuclear power facility.
• 1960:
• January 14: The Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) is established to promote maritime activities.
• February 3: The Rawalpindi Conspiracy Case concludes with the conviction of several military officers.
• March 8: The Karachi Agreement is signed between Pakistan and Afghanistan, recognizing the Durand Line as the international border.
• April 29: Pakistan and China sign the Treaty of Friendship, marking the beginning of bilateral relations.
• May 28: The Karachi Agreement is ratified by the Afghan parliament.
• June 27: The Indus Waters Commission is established to monitor the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty.
• July 4: The New Capital Development Authority (CDA) is established to plan and develop Islamabad.
• August 14: Pakistan celebrates its thirteenth anniversary of independence.
• September 3: The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is established to promote exports.
• October 8: The Pakistan Navy Academy, PNS Rahbar, is inaugurated in Manora, Karachi.