Unholy Trinity: Religion Card, interference of US ambassador, & Marshallah in Pakistan & Parliamentary response 1950s
From Anti-Ahmadyya Movement of Feb 1953 & Imposition of Marshallah in Lhore (06 March) till abrogation of the first constitution (Oct 1958), few months before 1st general election, in order to please masters (the US) externally & annexation of State power internally.
Story of five decisive years 1953-1958
Move to expel French ambassador reminds me some unforgettable events, often missed by many historians yet are present in bit & pieces, scattered due to various hidden as well as naked reasons. There was an assembly in Pakistan who dare to summoned US ambassador Horace A Hildreth in privilege committee, the ambassador refused but assembly discussed the matter. It was Mian Iftiqaruddin of Lhore who took the matter before assembly, than PM, Malik Feroz Khan Noon was confused yet members like Mumtaz Dultana supported but after imposing dictatorship Mian Sahib & others were made horrible examples by Gen Ayub Khan. In 2015, Pakistani parliament in a historic resolution, passed unanimously, passed the famous Yemeni resolution but what happened with ruling party after it, is unfortunate. Expulsion of French ambassador is likewise a double edge weapon yet an ambiguous stand may weak the sitting government because no one will feel comfortable with it. Dealing with master remain important since 1953, but a consistent parliamentary response is key to resolve it.
It was a time when power in Pakistan was ready to shift from old to new masters. Horace Augustus Hildreth was ambassador of US for Pakistan from 1953-1957 and his daughter was married with Sikandar Mirza's son. Horace (December 2, 1902 – June 2, 1988) was born in Gardiner, Maine, the son of an attorney.
Khwaja Nazimuddin was PM & Mian Mumtaz Dultana was CM Punjab. As stated by Aysha Jallal in State of Marshal rule, In 1952 Nazmuddin was in hurry to remove Dultana & instigated wheat crisis. At that time, thanks to Federal govt, wheat smuggling to India increased. It created crisis in the West Punjab. Dultana knew that some big landlords were involved in it and they had backing of Karachi. Due to an amendment in tenancy act in 1952, big landlords were not happy. Meanwhile disturbances began after an ultimatum was delivered to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on 21 January 1953 by a deputation of ulama representing Majlis-i Amal (council of action) constituted by an All-Pakistan Muslim Parties Convention held in Karachi from 16 to 18 January 1953. Their main attack was on Sir Zufrullah. Itsuited Dultana too. Feb was month of disturbances. Finally at 06 March Marshallah was imposed in Lhore. As Aysha jalal quoted with firm references that Gen Ayub was in State department when peace was restored after Marshalah, Ayub had convinced US that it is better to deal with him rather then political government. But for Mian Iftiqaruddin, it was a trailer to impose Marshallah in the country. what he said is reproduced here
ؐMedia owner & intellectual Mian Iftiqarrudin of Lhore who spoke courageously against blatant interference of US ambassador in assembly time & again.
Link of the book of Mian Sahib title Selected Speeches & Statements of Mian Iftiqaruddin edited by Abdullah Malik
https://www.worldcat.org/title/selected-speeches-and-statements-of-mian-iftikhar-ud-din/oclc/623948
Link of its table of contents
http://www.sajjanlahore.org/corners/mianiftikhardin/books/content1.php
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