📚 IGCSE Pakistan Studies — Ayub Khan Notes
🏛 Background and Rise to Power
In 1958, after political instability and weak governments, General Ayub Khan declared Martial
Law.
He took over from President Iskander Mirza and became Chief Martial Law Administrator and
later President.
Promised to restore stability, discipline, and reform the country.
⚖️Political Reforms
1. Martial Law (1958–1962)
All political parties banned.
Constitution of 1956 abrogated.
Civil government replaced by military rule.
2. Basic Democracies (1959)
Introduced a new system where 80,000 Basic Democrats were elected.
These Basic Democrats elected the President and National Assembly members.
Aim: Control political participation and reduce influence of political parties.
3. Elective Bodies Disqualification Order (EBDO) (1959)
Targeted corrupt and inefficient politicians.
Disqualified many politicians for up to 6 years from holding public office.
Helped Ayub Khan eliminate opposition.
4. Political Parties Order (PODO) (1962)
Political parties allowed but under strict government control.
Regional, sectarian, and communist parties banned.
5. Constitution of 1962
Presidential system introduced.
President had strong executive powers: could appoint and dismiss ministers, control foreign
policy, and had emergency powers.
Parliamentary democracy replaced by controlled presidential democracy.
📄 PODO (Political Parties Order) – 4 Marks Answer
The Political Parties Order (PODO) was introduced by Ayub Khan in 1962.
It banned all political parties that were based on regionalism, communism, or sectarianism.
Instead, Ayub Khan allowed political parties to operate under strict government regulations, aiming to
encourage national unity and weaken opposition movements.
The system of "Basic Democracies" was introduced to select representatives, reducing the influence of
political parties in national politics.
📄 EBDO (Elective Bodies Disqualification Order) – 4
Marks Answer
The Elective Bodies Disqualification Order (EBDO) was introduced by Ayub Khan in 1959.
It aimed to eliminate corrupt and incompetent politicians from participating in politics.
Under EBDO, any politician found guilty of misconduct or corruption could be banned from holding
public office for up to 6 years.
Many leading politicians, especially from the opposition, were disqualified, helping Ayub Khan to
strengthen his control over the political system.
Domestic Reforms
1. Land Reforms
Set land ceiling:
o 500 acres irrigated land.
o 1000 acres unirrigated land.
Redistributed excess land to landless peasants.
Aim: Weaken feudal landlords and promote agricultural development.
Limitation: Big landlords often found ways to avoid losing land.
2. Industrial Reforms
Growth of private sector encouraged.
Creation of PIDC (Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation) to promote industries.
Rapid development in textile, cement, sugar industries.
Emergence of the "22 Families" who dominated Pakistan's economy.
3. Agricultural Reforms (Green Revolution)
Introduced high-yield crop varieties, fertilizers, tractors, tube wells.
Irrigation system improved.
Boosted agricultural output, especially wheat and rice.
However, benefits mostly went to large landowners.
4. Educational Reforms
Set up Education Commission (1959).
Free and compulsory primary education up to Class 8.
Focus on technical and vocational education.
Bachelor degree changed from 2 to 3 years.
Schools equipped with labs and science facilities.
Teacher salaries increased.
Challenges: Protests over fees and system still divided (government, English medium, religious).
5. Health Reforms
New hospitals built.
Medical colleges and nursing schools opened.
Healthcare access improved in urban areas.
6. Family Laws Ordinance (1961)
Marriage and divorce registration became compulsory.
Permission from first wife and court needed for second marriage.
Minimum marriage age:
o Girls: 16 years
o Boys: 18 years
Gave more rights to women in marriage and inheritance.
Faced opposition from religious conservatives.
7. Family Planning Campaign
Family planning centers established.
Awareness through radio, newspapers, cinema.
Faced religious opposition and illiteracy challenges.
🌎 Foreign Policy
(Only needed briefly if asked in exams)
Close ties with USA (joined SEATO and CENTO alliances).
Received military and economic aid from the USA.
Later moved closer to China after 1962.
Helped arrange China–US relations (Ping Pong diplomacy).
1965: Fought the Second Indo-Pak War over Kashmir.
Tashkent Agreement (1966): Signed with India under Soviet mediation — criticized heavily at
home.
📉 Fall of Ayub Khan
Widespread protests due to rising inflation, inequality, and political repression.
Fatima Jinnah opposed Ayub Khan in 1965 elections (rigging allegations).
Tashkent Agreement angered public (seen as surrender to India).
Students, lawyers, workers protested in late 1960s.
In 1969, Ayub Khan resigned and handed over power to General Yahya Khan.
✨ Quick Last-Minute Revision Table
Area Key Points Problems
Martial Law 1958 takeover, banned political parties Political repression
Basic Democracies Indirect democracy, controlled elections Limited real democracy
Land Reforms Land ceiling, redistribution Big landlords escaped laws
Industrial Reforms Growth of industry, 22 families Economic inequality
Green Revolution More crops, irrigation Large landlords gained
Family Laws Ordinance Women rights improved Religious backlash
Family Planning Campaigns, clinics Religious and cultural opposition
Fall Tashkent, protests Public anger, Ayub resigned
📢 Final Tip:
Ayub Khan’s era is called "Decade of Progress" —
Economic success but political failure is the main theme for exam answers!
