PARLIAMENT UNDER MILITARY RULER: A STUDY OF AYUB KHAN ERA

University of the Punjab

Department of History and Pakistan Studies

By: Muhammad Waheed

Supervised By: Prof. Dr. Mahboob Hussain

Academic Level: PhD

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Abstract

The parliament has become so vital part of the government in modern states that military rulers – dictators in true sense – have to adopt them even though the military rulers do not need parliament as an integral part of their politics and policies. In Pakistan martial law was enforced in 1958 in consequence of which military ruler General Ayub Khan enforced his tailor-made constitution in 1962. The Constitution envisaged a National Assembly as the legislature and parliament of Pakistan. The members of Assembly were elected by the electoral college of basic democrats. This was a unicameral parliament. Following study has looked into the formation, functions and powers of the parliament during General Ayub regime. It compares the use of parliamentary institutions in military regimes of other countries with those of Pakistan during Ayub regime. The working of parliament under military rule of Ayub Khan has been evaluated. This study, however, while dealing with the history of parliament during the period of General Ayub Khan, also tries to test hypothesis “The dictatorship negatively impacts upon the institutionalization of the Parliament.” The main question of the research is “How could parliament function and assert its institutionalization under a military ruler in modern & developing countries?” To find out the process of elections, working, and legislation in the parliament during Ayub era, we look how the debates of parliament were influenced by President General Ayub Khan. Secondly the election process has been examined to look into the influence of President in terms of elections. Thirdly the formation, function and decisions of different committees have been investigated to find out the influence of the President. Fourthly legislation and procedure of approval of different bills are studied in the light of the strategy of making ordinances on behalf of president. In other words, all ordinances and bills have been analyzed so that the influence of President Ayub may be assessed. The outcome of the research is that the military dictator used the institution of parliament just for his convenience to continue his military rule. The parliamentarians also did not assert the sovereignty and independence of the institution and became just tools in the hands of military dictator.

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On the direction of the Chairman Senate/President PIPS Board of Governors, the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), has implemented a comprehensive set of measures aimed at ensuring fiscal discipline, operational efficiency, and responsible utilization of public resources, on the same lines as notified and adopted by the Senate and National Assembly Secretariats.

Under the new measures, the Institute has adopted a four-day working week (Monday to Thursday), while introducing a hybrid working model whereby 50% of staff will perform duties from the office and 50% will work remotely on a rotational basis. Employees working from home will remain fully accessible through digital communication platforms and may be required to report to the office on short notice, ensuring uninterrupted institutional functioning.

Significant steps have also been taken to promote energy conservation. These include a target of achieving up to 70% reduction in energy consumption through minimizing unnecessary use of electricity and ensuring that official meetings, trainings, and events are scheduled during daylight hours. Foreign tours are banned and international meetings are being held virtually.

In the transport section, PIPS has introduced strict measures to curtail expenditure and 70% official vehicles have been grounded as part of this initiative.

As part of broader austerity efforts, 20% reduction has been imposed on the non-ERE budget for the fourth quarter of the current financial year. The officers drawing a monthly salary of PKR 300,000 or more, shall surrendered two days salary or 5% to 30% salary on gross as per Federal Government decision.

The Institute has also discontinued all non-essential procurements with immediate effect. Official functions such as dinners and receptions will not be hosted, except in the case of visiting foreign delegations, and even then, strictly in accordance with austerity protocols.

These measures have been implemented with immediate effect and will remain in force until further orders.

Under the guidance of President PIPS Board of Governors, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, PIPS remains fully committed to maintaining its core functions of parliamentary support, capacity building, and research while contributing proactively to national austerity and sustainability goals.