1958 in Pakistan


Events from the year 1958 in Pakistan.

Incumbents

Federal government

January

In the recent past there has been a growing criticism in Pakistan of US policy towards India. Since 1956, the American attitude towards Pakistan and India has seemed to be on a reversal. A powerful group within the US administration is suggesting that Pakistan, commonly known as "the most allied ally" of the US, has now become a demanding ally. India, on the other hand, can be projected as a model democracy in Asia to combat the moral influence of the communist bloc. The repercussions of this change in the American attitude is felt all over the place: India has become more stern in its dealing with Pakistan, while in the Parliament here the alliance with the US has been under-attack for a while. The Prime Minister's speech today seems to be a fitting climax to the debate. The drop scene is nobody's guess, though!
He has said in his first radio broadcast that the army has entered politics with reluctance. He warns the political leaders, smugglers, black-marketeers and disruptionists. Meanwhile, the Constitution has been declared null and void.
Last year's census shows that 51% of total output in large scale manufacturing is controlled by only 6% of the business houses in the country. This may be considered a result of the laissez-fair, private sector-led economy that the government has been encouraging since 1947.
An unequal rate of growth between the two wings of the country seems to have been an important feature of economic development since the independence: only one-fifth of large-scale manufacturing is located in East Pakistan
In a spree of purging the society of unwanted elements, the army regime has shortlisted 1,661 allegedly corrupt officials
The military regime has arrested Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi, Sibt-e-Hasan and Faiz Ahmad Faiz, the editors of Lail-o-Nihar, Imroze and Pakistan Times respectively. All journals belong to Progressive Papers Ltd, whose major shareholder is Mian Iftikharuddin, the veteran leftist leader