The destruction of Pakistan's democracy
By: Allen McGrath.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 1996
Place of publication: Karachi
Language: eng
Number of pages: 310
Subjects: Pakistan -- Politics and government.; Pakistan -- History.
Description: In 1947, Pakistan came into existence as a parliamentary democracy. In 1954, that government was dissolved and the path opened for the military rule which has characterized much of Pakistan's history. The political forces of Islam did not initiate these events.

Rather, the catalyst was the national legislature's successful completion of the first new constitution since independence, a constitution which apportioned legislative power between East and West Pakistan, introduced guaranteed rights for citizens, and had earned the support of the Islamic leadership.

Governor-General Ghulam Mohammad led a small group of West Pakistan officials, trained in the autocratic bureaucracy of British India, who disliked both democracy and the influence of Islam in politics. He dissolved the legislature and suppressed the constitution, actions approved by the Supreme Court which he controlled. So successful was this 'quiet revolution' that the very existence of the constitution has been forgotten by the public and overlooked by historians.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p.[293]-303) and index.