The Decade of Development - Ayub's 10 Years

General Muhammad Ayub Khan took over the reins of the country at a time when the political system of the country had almost collapsed and within 9 years of creation of Pakistan, 9 prime ministers had been appointed. When Sikander Mirza tried to make Ayub Khan the scapegoat after proclaiming martial law in 1958, Ayub overthrew him and sent him in exile (where he stayed till his death) and himself took over as the president in October 1958 and ruled Pakistan for almost ten years.
During his regime, Pakistan developed into a progressive country and much of the development, specially in the field of industrial sector which is repaying Pakistan in handsome exports revenues even till date, were established in Ayub's time. However, his government could not eliminate the basic problems of Pakistani society. Despite increased developmental funds to East Pakistan, the disparity between the two wings of Pakistan was not eliminated. His regime also initiated land reforms designed to reduce the political power of the landed aristocracy.
In January 1960, Ayub Khan's famous elections for Basic Democracies (BD) members were carried out which for a while ended the direct role of the people in electing the President as they cast their votes for BD candidates. On 14th February, the 80,000 elected BD members elected Ayub Khan as the first democratically elected president with a 'yes' turn over of 95.6%.
Ayub also promulgated a progressive Islamic law, the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance of 1961, imposing restrictions on polygamy and reinforcing inheritance rights of women. Some mega projects like the construction of Mangla Dam, the Karachi Steel Mills, oil refineries and above all construction of a new capital at Islamabad are also credited to him.
In March 1963, Pakistan and China signed a boundary agreement that was the beginning of a long drawn warm relations between the two countries, especially in the wake of the Sino-Indian cold conflict that almost erupted in war in 1962
A new constitution promulgated by Ayub in 1962 ended the period of martial law. The presidential election of January 1965 resulted in a victory for Ayub, although opposition parties were allowed to participate.

Historical 6 September 1965 address by Ayub Khan

Ayub skillfully aligned himself with USA, stimulating substantial economic and military aid to Pakistan. However, the 1965 Indo-Pak war on Kashmir brought these relations to the lowest ebb and suspension of US aid. Instead of USA, the erstwhile USSR intervened and mediated the conflict in January 1966 at Tashkent and the two countries withdrew their forces to pre-war positions and restored diplomatic relations.

The Tashkent Agreement is described by some as start of the downfall of Ayub's era. Foreign Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who opposed Pakistan's capitulation, resigned his position and founded the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in opposition to the Ayub regime. Ayub tried unsuccessfully to make amends and imposed martial law. When things could not be controlled, he resigned in March 1969. In his last radio address to the nation on 25 March 1969, he said, "I cannot preside over the destruction of my country" Thus ended a meaningful, rather stable period of Pakistan history. Although not liked much by the politicians, he is still remembered by a majority of Pakistanis and his painting can still be seen on many trucks plying on the highways.
General Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan, who was the designated martial-law administrator, assumed the presidency. Read More

Important Events 1958 - 68