# Governor of East Pakistan

The Governor of East Pakistan, formerly known as the Governor of East Bengal, served as the appointed head of province of the provincial government and the representative of President of Pakistan in East Pakistan (previously East Bengal). The Governor functioned as the head of government during periods of Governor's Rule in East Pakistan, between 1954–1955 and 1958–1972, when the Provincial Assembly was dissolved. In periods when the Chief Minister held executive authority, the Governor primarily served as a ceremonial head of state.

## Under Dominion of Pakistan (1947 – 1954)

From 1947 to 1954, the governance of East Bengal was based on the Indian Independence Act, 1947 and Government of India Act 1935 - with certain adaptations, which provided the legal framework for provincial administration The office of the Governor of East Bengal was the highest executive authority in the province, acting as the representative of the Governor-General of Pakistan. The Governor was responsible for overseeing the administration, implementing federal directives, and maintaining law and order.

### Appointment

The Governor of East Bengal was nominated and appointed by the Governor-General of Pakistan, who acted as the representative of the Head of State (originally King George VI, later Queen Elizabeth II until 1956, when Pakistan became a republic) under the Government of India Act 1935. The appointee was typically a senior bureaucrat, military officer, or politician with experience in governance. The Governor served at the pleasure of the Governor-General, meaning their term was not fixed and could be ended at any time. Before assuming duties, the Governor took an oath of allegiance to The state of Pakistan. and accept he Governor-General as the central executive authority and respect the laws and constitution governing East Bengal at the time. In the event of a vacancy, the Governor-General could appoint an acting Governor (usually the chief justice of Dhaka High Court) until a permanent replacement was selected.

### Executive Authority of the Governor

The Governor was the representative of Governor-General in the province and held supreme executive authority. While he could delegate powers to subordinate officers, his authority remained separate from that of the Federal or Provincial Legislature. His executive powers extended to matters within the legislative competence of the Provincial Legislature, ensuring that administrative decisions aligned with existing laws. Additionally, any powers previously granted to courts, judges, officers, or local authorities under Pakistani laws remained unaffected by the Governor’s executive control. In cases where the Governor of a province is required to act at his discretion or exercise his individual judgment, he must follow the general control and specific directions, if any, given by the Governor-General in his discretion. However, any actions taken by the Governor cannot be challenged on the basis that they did not comply with this provision.
Council of Ministers
A Council of Ministers, headed by chief minister to be appointed to assist the Governor in governance. The Governor exercised full control over the appointment and dismissal of ministers and served at his pleasure. The Governor shall, in his discretion, appoint from amongst the members of the Provincial Assembly a Chief Minister, who, in his opinion, is most likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of the Provincial Assembly. However, the Governor retained discretionary powers in specific matters. The Governor had the authority to preside over Council meetings at his discretion. If a dispute arose regarding whether a decision required the Governor’s individual judgment, his decision was final and could not be legally challenged. The Governor could override the advice of the Council in areas where he had special responsibilities or where the Act granted him discretionary powers.
If a minister was not a member of the Provincial Legislature for six consecutive months, they lost their position. Ministerial salaries were decided by provincial legislation, but in the absence of such a law, the Governor determined salaries, which could not be altered during a minister’s tenure. Ministerial advice to the Governor could not be questioned in court, ensuring that executive decisions remained beyond judicial scrutiny.
Special Responsibilities of the Governor
In addition to his general administrative duties, the Governor had special responsibilities:
* Maintenance of Law and Order: Preventing any serious threats to peace and stability in the province.
* Protection of Minority Rights: Safeguarding the legitimate interests of minority communities.
* Public Service Rights: Ensuring security and benefits for current and former public service employees.
* Implementation of Legislative Principles: Ensuring that executive decisions aligned with the objectives of legislature.
* Executing of Governor-General’s Orders
When carrying out special responsibilities, the Governor had sole discretion in decision-making. The Governor-General could issue directions to the Governor, but these directives could not be legally challenged.

### Legislative Power

All executive actions of the Provincial Government were formally carried out in the name of the Governor. Any orders, official documents, or regulations had to be authenticated according to rules set by the Governor. Once properly issued, these documents could not be legally challenged based on procedural grounds. The Governor represented Governor-General in the legislature. Legislative chambers was bicameral The Governor also had a legislative role, acting as the constitutional head of the Provincial Assembly. His responsibilities included:
* Summoning, proroguing, and dissolving the Provincial Legislature.
* Approving or vetoing legislation passed by the Assembly.
* Ensuring provincial laws aligned with national policies.
* Overseeing financial appropriations and budget approvals.
The Governor had the authority to reject provincial legislation if it was deemed inconsistent with national interests or security concerns.
The Governor had direct control over police regulations, particularly concerning organization and discipline. In cases of threats to public order, he had the authority to:
* Implement special security measures.
* Issue directives allowing executive functions to be carried out at his discretion.
* Authorize official participation in legislative discussions, though such officials had no voting rights.
* Establish rules for the confidentiality of intelligence sources, ensuring that security information was shared only with authorized personnel.
The Governor was responsible for ensuring efficient governance by:
* Establishing rules for administrative operations.
* Structuring responsibilities among ministers.
* Ensuring that ministers and secretaries regularly provided updates on provincial matters.
* Requiring ministers to report important issues directly to him.
In all these responsibilities, the Governor acted at his discretion, after consultation with ministers.

### Judicial Power

The province had an Advocate-General, appointed by the Governor:
* Qualifications: The Advocate-General had to be qualified to serve as a High Court judge.
* Duties: The Advocate-General provided legal advice to the government and carried out duties assigned by the Governor.
* Tenure and Salary: The Advocate-General served at the Governor’s pleasure, with a salary determined by the Governor.

## Governor's Rule 1954

Background
Legislative elections were held in East Bengal between 8 and 12 March 1954, the first since Pakistan became an independent country in 1947. The opposition United Front led by the All-Pakistan Awami League and Krishak Sramik Party won a landslide victory with 223 of the 309 seats. The Muslim League Chief Minister of East Pakistan Nurul Amin was defeated in his own constituency by Khaleque Nawaz Khan by over 7,000 votes, with all the Muslim League ministers losing their seats.
The United Front's victory proved illusory long before the euphoria wore out. On March 25, East Pakistan governor Chaudhry Khaliquzzaman asked Krishak Sramik Party leader A. K. Fazlul Huq to form the ministry. But in the ministry formed on 3 April the Awami Muslim League was left out. This created a crisis in the Front, and Fazlul Huq was obliged to expand his cabinet on May 15 to include Abul Mansur Ahmad, Ataur Rahman Khan, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Abdus Salam Khan and Hashimuddin. The same day a serious riot between the Bengali and non-Bengali workers of the Adamjee Jute Mills at Narayanganj caused the death of nearly 1500 workers. The communist activists were held responsible for the tragedy, and the Fazlul Huq government was blamed for its failure in controlling the situation.
Governor's Rule
The central government of Pakistan moved decisively to dismantle the democratically elected provincial government, employing fabricated allegations of communist sympathies to justify authoritarian intervention. The United Front ministry and the Legislative Assembly were dissolved and East Bengal was put under direct governor's rule by Governor-General Malik Ghulam Muhammad on May 30. Prime Minister Bogra emphasized to the US that Fazlul Huq’s administration could not be trusted to manage security risks, citing fears that sensitive information might leak to Soviet or Chinese officials through Huq’s cabinet. The first action under Governor's Rule involved arresting prominent opposition figures labeled as communist though martial law was to be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
Appointment
Iskander Mirza was appointed as the governor of East Bengal to oversee the transition to direct central control. Mirza, a senior civil servant and former Defense Secretary, was appointed Governor of East Bengal. Mirza, who had prior administrative experience in Bengal and born in Murshidabad, Bengal, was chosen strategically to mitigate perceptions of outsider imposition. He was urgently recalled from medical treatment in London to assume the role despite protests from his doctors.
Policy Measures Under Governor’s Rule
The Government of Pakistan announced a two-pronged strategy to consolidate control over East Pakistan: psychological and economic initiatives. A significant emphasis was placed on countering what the central government labeled as communist threats, despite the lack of credible evidence supporting these claims. The administration planned to intensify propaganda efforts by establishing two new radio stations in East Bengal and expanding its informational outreach. The importance of these measures was highlighted in a secret telegram sent by the U.S. Chargé in Pakistan, Emmerson, which detailed the government's plan to arrest alleged communists and enhance psychological operations to solidify control over East Pakistan.
On the economic front, the government aimed to win public support by ensuring the availability of essential commodities such as food, cloth, kerosene, mustard oil, and salt at subsidized rates.
Aftermath
The long-term goal, as stated by officials, was to restore parliamentary governance within a year. However, the immediate impact of governor’s rule was widespread political repression, with around 1,600 united Front leaders and activists, including 30 members of the legislature, being arrested. The Awami League, however, returned to power on its own on 30 August 1956 with Ataur Rahman Khan as chief minister, but only to resign a few months later

## List of Governors
### Governors of East Bengal

Political Party
Legend
List of Governors of East Bengal :
| # | Portrait | Governor | Term of office | Term of office | Term of office | Political Party | Governor General/ President |
| # | Portrait | Governor | Term Start | Term End | Time in Office | Political Party | Governor General/ President |
| 1 | | Sir Frederick Chalmers Bourne (1891-1977) | 15 August 1947 | 5 April 1950 | 2 years, 233 days | Independent (British Administrator) | Muhammad Ali Jinnah Khawaja Nazimuddin |
| [-] | | Justice A.S.M. Akram (Acting) (1888-1968) | 16 March 1949 | 25 April 1949 | 40 days | Independent | Khawaja Nazimuddin |
| 2 | | Sir Feroz Khan Noon (1893-1970) | 5 April 1950 | 26 March 1953 | 2 years, 355 days | Muslim League | Khawaja Nazimuddin Malik Ghulam Muhammad |
| [-] | | Abdur Rahman Siddiqui (Acting) (1887-1953) | 25 July 1952 | 10 November 1952 | 108 days | Muslim League | Malik Ghulam Muhammad |
| 3 | | Chaudhry Khaliquzzaman (1889-1973) | 4 April 1953 | 30 May 1954 | 1 year, 56 days | Muslim League | Malik Ghulam Muhammad |
| 4 | | Iskander Mirza (1899-1969) | 30 May 1954 | 21 September 1954 | 114 days | Muslim League | Malik Ghulam Muhammad |
| [-] | | Justice Sir Thomas Hobart Ellis (Acting) (1894-1981) | Appointment: 21 September 1954 Sworn in: 25 October 1954 | 22 December 1954 | 92 days | Independent | Malik Ghulam Muhammad |
| [-] | | Justice Muhammad Shahabuddin (Acting) (1895-1971) | 22 December 1954 | 14 June 1955 | 174 days | Independent | Malik Ghulam Muhammad |
| [-] | | Justice Amiruddin Ahmad (Acting) (1895-1965) | 14 June 1955 | As Governor of East Bengal: 14 October 1955 As Governor of East Pakistan: 9 March 1956 | As Governor of East Bengal: 122 days As Governor of Eastern Wing: 269 days | Independent | Malik Ghulam Muhammad Iskander Mirza |
* ↑ A.S.M. Akram was appointed Acting Governor during the leave of absence of Sir Frederick Chalmers Bourne
* ↑ Abdur Rahman Siddiqui was appointed Acting Governor during the leave of absence of Sir Feroz Khan Noon
* 1 2 With the dismissal of the United Front Ministry in East Bengal, Governor General Malik Ghulam Muhammad decided to enforce Governor's Rule in the province and appointed Iskander Mirza as Governor
* ↑ Sir Thomas Hobart Ellis was appointed Acting Governor when Iskander Mirza was taken into the central cabinet as Minister
* ↑ Muhammad Shahabuddin was appointed after Acting Governor after Sir Thomas Hobart Ellis
* ↑ Justice Shahabuddin resigned due to differences of opinion about the restoration of parliamentary government in East Bengal
* ↑ Justice Amiruddin Ahmad, Chief Justice of Dhaka High Court, was appointed acting Governor on the resignation of Justice Muhammad Shahabuddin

### Governors of East Pakistan

In late 1955, the prime minister Mohammad Ali Bogra initiated the One Unit policy which resulted in East Bengal province being renamed to East Pakistan.
Political Party
* Military Governor
** Pakistan Army
** Pakistan Navy
Legend
List of Governors of East Pakistan :
| # | Portrait | Governor | Term of office | Term of office | Term of office | Political Party | President |
| # | Portrait | Governor | Term Start | Term End | Time in Office | Political Party | President |
| [-] | | Justice Amiruddin Ahmad (Acting) (1895-1965) | As Governor of East Pakistan: 14 October 1955 As Governor of East Bengal: June 14, 1955 | 9 March 1956 | As Governor of East Pakistan: 147 days As Governor of Eastern Wing : 269 days | Independent | Iskander Mirza |
| 1 | | Sher-e-Bangla A. K. Fazlul Huq (1873 - 1962) | 9 March 1956 | 31 March 1958 | 2 years, 22 days | Krishak Sramik Party | Iskander Mirza |
| [-] | | Muhammad Hamid Ali (Acting) (1906-1972) | 1 April 1958 | 3 May 1958 | 32 days | Independent | Iskander Mirza |
| 2 | | Sultanuddin Ahmad (1902-1977) | Appointment: 26 April 1958 Sworn in: 3 May 1958 | 10 October 1958 | 160 days | Independent | Iskander Mirza |
| 3 | | Zakir Husain (1898-1971) | Appointment: 10 October 1958 Sworn in: 11 October 1958 | 14 April 1960 | 1 year, 186 days | Independent | Iskander Mirza Ayub Khan |
| 4 | | Lieutenant general Azam Khan, PA (1908-1994) | 15 April 1960 | 10 May 1962 | 2 years, 25 days | Military | Ayub Khan |
| [-] | | Syed Hashim Raza (Acting) (1910-2003) | 1 July 1961 | 5 August 1961 | 35 days | Independent | Ayub Khan |
| 5 | | Ghulam Faruque Khan (1899-1992) | 11 May 1962 | 25 October 1962 | 167 days | Independent | Ayub Khan |
| 6 | | Abdul Monem Khan (1899-1971) | 28 October 1962 | 23 March 1969 | 6 years, 146 days (Longest Serving) | Muslim League | Ayub Khan |
| 7 | | Mirza Nurul Huda (1919-1991) | 23 March 1969 | 25 March 1969 | 2 days | Independent | Ayub Khan |
| 8 | | Major general Muzaffaruddin, PA (Martial Law Administrator) | 25 March 1969 | 23 August 1969 | 151 days | Military | Yahya Khan |
| 9 | | Lieutenant general Sahabzada Yaqub Khan, PA (1920-2016) (Martial Law Administrator) | 23 August 1969 | 1 September 1969 | 9 days | Military | Yahya Khan |
| 10 | | Vice admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan, PN (1921-1989) | 1 September 1969 | 1 March 1971 | 1 year, 181 days | Military | Yahya Khan |
| (11) | | Lieutenant general Sahabzada Yaqub Khan, PA (1920-2016) (Head of Civil Administration ) | 1 March 1971 | 7 March 1971 | 6 days | Military | Yahya Khan |
| 12 | | Lieutenant general Tikka Khan, PA (1915-2002) | Appointment: 6 March 1971 Sworn in: 7 March 1971 Officially announced: 9 March 1971 | 3 September 1971 | 180 days | Military | Yahya Khan |
| 13 | | Abdul Motaleb Malik (1905-1977) | Appointment: 31 August 1971 Sworn in: 3 September 1971 | 14 December 1971 | 102 days | Muslim League | Yahya Khan |
| 14 | | Lieutenant general A. A. K. Niazi, PA (1915-2004) (Supreme Authority of East Pakistan) | 14 December 1971 | 16 December 1971 | 2 days | Military | Yahya Khan |
* ↑ Justice Amiruddin Ahmad, Chief Justice of Dhaka High Court, was appointed acting Governor on the resignation of Justice Muhammad Shahabuddin
* ↑ President Iskander Mirza removed A. K. Fazlul Huq as governor on 31 March 1958 on the advice of the Noon cabinet for allegedly overstepping his limits as a constitutional Governor. Huq had dismissed Ataur Rahman's Ministry of Awami League that had not been defeated on the floor of the House, and had installed Mr. Abu Hussain Sarkar of his own party Krishak Sramik Party as Chief Minister.
* ↑ Muhammad Hamid Ali, Chief Secretary to the Governor of East Pakistan, was appointed Acting Governor in pursuance of the provisions of Article 70 of the Constitution following the removal of Sher-e-Bangla A. K. Fazlul Huq from the office
* ↑ Sultanuddin Ahmad was removed from office on 10 October 1958 soon after the promulgation of Martial Law in Pakistan on 7 October
* ↑ Syed Hashim Raza was Acting Governor of the province during the absence of General Azam Khan's official visit to West Germany
* ↑ Unable to cope with the political problems of East Pakistan, Ghulam Faruque Khan resigned from office.
* ↑ With the promulgation of Martial Law throughout Pakistan and the abrogation of the constitution in the evening of 25 March, Mirza Nurul Huda's tenure of governorship came to an abrupt end after just 60 hours.
* ↑ On 25 March 1969 General A. M. Yahya Khan proclaimed martial law and divided the country into two administrative zones- West Pakistan (Zone 'A') and East Pakistan (Zone 'B'). Major general Muzaffaruddin was the GOC of the 14 Division, became Martial Law Administrator, Zone 'B'. On 8 April 1969, Yahya Khan issued an order directing that the Martial Law Administrators of Zone 'A' and 'B' would perform the functions and powers of the Governors of West and East Pakistan respectively. Thus Major general Muzaffaruddin became Martial Law Administrator and also exercised the powers and functions of Governor of East Pakistan.
* ↑ Lieutenant general Sahabzada Yaqub Khan was appointed as Martial Law Administrator of Zone 'B' and exercised the powers and functions of the Governor of East Pakistan.
* ↑ On 8 April 1969, President Yahya Khan issued an order directing that the Martial Law Administrators would perform the functions and powers of the Governor. However, a notification issued by the cabinet secretariat on 1 September 1969 cancelled the order of 8 April 1969 and directed Martial Law Administrators to refrain from performing the functions of Governor in their respective provinces with immediate effect. Lt. General Yaqub Khan remained Martial Law Administrator until Vice Admiral S. M. Ahsan took over as the new Governor of East Pakistan on 1 September 1969
* ↑ Lt. general Sahabzada Yaqub Khan was made the "head of civil administration in the province" and exercised the functions and powers of Governor from 1 March 1971 until the arrival of Lt. general Tikka Khan on 7 March 1971.
* ↑ Abdul Motaleb Malik along with his cabinet resigned on 14 December after realizing that Pakistani defeat was imminent and sought refuse in Hotel Intercontinental, seeking the protection of the Red Cross flag.
* ↑ Lt. general A. A. K. Niazi was the commander of the Eastern Command of the Pakistan Army and as the supreme authority of Pakistan in its eastern wing functioned and exercised power as the Governor of East Pakistan after the resignation of Abdul Motaleb Malik during the last 48 hours of Bangladesh Liberation War