Who became President after Iskander Mirza?

Excerpt: This post answers the questions “Who became President after Iskander Mirza? Who is the second president of Pakistan? What is the name of Pakistan’s second president?”

Pakistan was established on 14 August 1947. After independence, the country had dominion status within the British Commonwealth until the preparation and adoption of the constitution. A constituent assembly consisting of 69 members (initial figure) was busy framing the constitution for the country. During this time, Pakistan was ruled by a Governor General. The first Governor General was Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, and the last was Iskander Mirza. He was the 4th and last Governor General of the Dominion of Pakistan.

The Rise of Iskander Mirza – The Last Governor General of Pakistan

The third Governor General of Pakistan, Sir Malik Ghulam Muhammad, after suffering from a paralysis attack that left him unable to speak or walk, took two months’ leave for treatment in the United Kingdom. Major General Iskander Ali Mirza was appointed as the acting Governor General of Pakistan on 7th August 1955.

Background and Early Governance of Iskander Mirza

Soon after taking over as the Governor General, Iskander Mirza forced the then Prime Minister, Syed Muhammad Ali Choudhry Bogra, to resign by appointing him as Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States. He invited Muhammad Ali, the then Finance Minister, on 12th August 1955, to take over as the new Prime Minister of the country.

Who became President after Iskander Mirza?

The Constitution adopted on 23rd March 1956, called for a republican form of government within the country. It left the President a mere ceremonial figure and handed over all power to the Prime Minister’s Office, which annoyed Iskander Mirza, the first President of Pakistan. He began interfering in civilian matters and within a short period of two years, after the promulgation of the constitution, he dismissed four elected prime ministers. His disagreement over the power share and efforts for a second term of presidency drove him to abrogate the constitution and impose emergency rule by declaring martial law in the country on the midnight between 7/8 October 1958. He appointed General Ayub Khan as the Chief Martial Law Administrator.

The Fall of Iskander Mirza

President Iskander Mirza then unilaterally appointed Ayub Khan as the new Prime Minister with a cabinet of technocrats. Both Iskander Mirza and Ayub Khan had very different points of view in political affairs. They could not rule together and so Ayub Khan, on the night of 26/27 October, sent Iskander Mirza into exile and became President of Pakistan.

Factors Leading to Iskander Mirza’s Dismissal

Being reluctant to the republican form of government, which had shifted all power to the Prime Minister’s hand and left the President a ceremonial body, Iskander Mirza was in direct conflict with the Muslim League. Within a short span of two years, after the promulgation of the constitution, President Iskander Mirza dismissed four elected prime ministers. He appointed Sir Feroz Khan Noon as the new Prime Minister of the country but was not satisfied with him either.

On 7 October 1958, President Iskandar Ali Mirza abrogated the Constitution of Pakistan, adopted in 1956. He annulled the constitution by sending a letter to Prime Minister Sir Feroz Khan Noon and announced a coup d’état. President Iskander Mirza appointed General Ayub Khan as Chief Martial Law Administrator. Two weeks later, on 27 October, Ayub Khan carried out his own coup d’état against Mirza. Most of the country’s politicians only became aware of the coup the next morning, while only U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan James M. Langley was kept fully informed of political developments in the country.

The dismissal of Iskander Mirza and the subsequent rise of Ayub Khan marked a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s history. This transition set the stage for future military interventions, significantly shaping the country’s political landscape. Understanding these events is crucial for appreciating the complexities of Pakistan’s governance and the enduring impact of its early political struggles. As Pakistan continues to evolve, reflecting on these historical milestones can provide valuable lessons for building a more stable and democratic future.

Source: The above answer is based on the information shared by

• Britanica, Iskander Mirza – President of Pakistan
• Cabinet Division of Govt. Pakistan – List of Governor Generals
• Wikipedia, Iskander Mirza

Related Questions