Liaqat Ali Khan's Role and Achievements as First Prime Minister
Mr. Liaqat Ali Khan, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan, was a trusted companion of Quaid-e-Azam. To handle the tsunami of refugees entering Punjab was a difficult task. On the advice of Quaid-e-Azam, he, as chairman of the Punjab Refugee Council, supervised the work of rehabilitation of the refugees and providing them with the necessities of life. After the establishment of Pakistan, Hindu-Muslim riots had become common due to the hatred of Hindus towards the Muslims in India. He visited the border areas with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to stop the massacre of the Muslims in Punjab and appealed to abstain from the malicious activity of human bloodshed. While guidance to the nation and the government in all issues including the formation of administrative structure, restoration of economic life, budget preparation, Kashmir war, control of internal chaos and defense against India's conspiracies was provided by Quaid-e-Azam. Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan was responsible for implementing his decisions. During his rule, a great struggle for economic development was started. The people were encouraged to promote Pakistani products. He got Objectives Resolution passed from Assembly in 1949 and constituted a "Basic Principles Committee" to draw the new constitution. He visited the United States in 1950. He tried to persuade the American leadership to meet Pakistan's defense needs.
Objectives Resolution
Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan presented a historic resolution on March 1949 in the assembly which laid down the basic principles for making of the future constitution of Pakistan. Federal legislature approved it with majority vote. It is generally called "Objectives Resolution".
The main points of the Objectives Resolution are as under:
- Sovereignty of Almighty Allah: Objectives Resolution categorically states that sovereignty all over the universe belongs to Almighty Allah. Power is a trust with the people and it is to be exercised within the prescribed limits by the elected representatives of the people.
- Follow the Islamic Values: Objectives Resolution has laid down that in Pakistan, Islamic values like democracy, freedom of expression, tolerance and social justice would be exercised.
- Islamic Way of Life: It was affirmed that an adequate environment would be provided to enable the Muslims to lead their individual and collective lives according to the basic principles of Islam.
- Protection of Minorities: All the minorities living in Pakistan shall be fully free to lead their lives according to the basic principles of their religions and beliefs.
- Provision of Fundamental Rights: All citizens of Pakistan shall be guaranteed fundamental rights without making any discrimination on the basis of racial, political, economic or religious prejudices.
- Federal Form of Government: It was specifically mentioned in Objectives Resolution that Pakistan shall have a federal democratic structure and its system shall be administered through the elected representatives of the people.
- Safeguard the Interests of Backward and Depressed Classes: It was stressed in the Objectives Resolution that requisite efforts shall be made for the protection of the interests of depressed classes.
- Independence of Judiciary: It was affirmed in the Objectives Resolution that judiciary shall be free from all pressures and would work independently.