Today in History: Rawalpindi Conspiracy of 1951
Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs
An international forum aimed at forging Indo-Pacific policy, strategy, and partnerships.
Introduction
The Rawalpindi Conspiracy of 1951 was a significant event in the political history of Pakistan. The conspiracy involved a group of military officers who attempted to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan. The events leading up to the conspiracy, the reasons behind it, and its aftermath have been the subject of much debate and analysis. In this article, we will examine the Rawalpindi Conspiracy in detail and explore its significance in the context of Pakistan's political history.
The Origins of the Conspiracy
The Origins of the Rawalpindi Conspiracy can be traced to the tensions that existed between the civilian government and the military leadership in Pakistan's early years. After independence, Pakistan faced numerous challenges, including the partition of India, the migration of millions of refugees, and the establishment of a new government. The military played a vital role in these early years, with many of the top positions in the government and military being held by British-trained officers. However, tensions between the civilian and military leadership began to emerge over the role of the military in politics.
In 1949, Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan's government passed the Objectives Resolution, which declared Pakistan to be an Islamic state. This move was opposed by some of the more secular-minded military officers who saw it as an attempt to use religion as a tool for political gain. They believed that the military's role was to defend the country's borders and that it should not involve itself in politics.
The military leadership was also concerned about corruption and nepotism within the government. They believed that the civilian government was not capable of running the country efficiently and that the military could do a better job. These views were reinforced by Pakistan's first military dictator, Ayub Khan, who came to power in a military coup in 1958.
These factors, combined with the military's growing influence and sense of entitlement, led to the Rawalpindi Conspiracy. Major General Akbar Khan, the director-general of military intelligence, was the mastermind behind the plot. The conspiracy also included several other high-ranking officers, including Brigadier Aslam Khan, Brigadier Sher Khan, and Lieutenant Colonel Zia-ul-Haq, who would later become the military dictator of Pakistan.
The conspirators believed that the civilian government was corrupt and ineffective and that the military should take over to restore order and stability. They planned to seize control of key government buildings and military installations in Rawalpindi, the military headquarters of Pakistan. They also planned to arrest Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan and other senior members of the government.
The Conspiracy Unfolds
The Rawalpindi Conspiracy was a well-organized plan by the military to take over the government on the night of February 19, 1951. The plan was to seize control of key government buildings and military installations in Rawalpindi, the military headquarters of Pakistan, and arrest Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan and other senior members of the government. The conspirators had made elaborate arrangements for communication and coordination to ensure the success of their plan.
The conspiracy, however, was uncovered by Pakistan's intelligence agencies before it could be carried out. The Director-General of the Military Intelligence, Major General Akbar Khan, was arrested, along with several other senior military officers involved in the plot. The government moved swiftly to neutralize the threat, and the plotters were court-martialed.
Many of the conspirators were sentenced to lengthy prison terms, and some were dismissed from service. Major General Akbar Khan was sentenced to death, but his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment. Brigadier Sher Khan and Lieutenant Colonel Zia-ul-Haq were among the other high-ranking officers who were court-martialed and sentenced to prison terms.
The uncovering and neutralization of the Rawalpindi Conspiracy were significant in that it prevented a military takeover of the government and highlighted the dangers of military intervention in politics. It also underscored the need for a clear understanding of the role and purpose of the military in the governance of the country.
The Aftermath of the Conspiracy
The aftermath of the Rawalpindi Conspiracy was significant, with long-lasting implications for Pakistan's political landscape. While the immediate consequences of the plot were the arrests and court-martials of the conspirators, the long-term impact was much more profound.
After the failed coup, the Pakistani government took a hard line against military intervention in politics. The government's response sent a strong message to the military that it would not tolerate any attempts to subvert the civilian government. The conspirators were court-martialed and sentenced to lengthy prison terms, effectively ending their military careers.
However, in the years following the Rawalpindi Conspiracy, the military continued to be involved in politics, with the successful coups of Ayub Khan in 1958, Yahya Khan in 1969, Zia-ul-Haq in 1977, and Pervez Musharraf in 1999. These coups were successful in large part due to the military's growing power and influence in Pakistani society.
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In the 1970s, many of the Rawalpindi conspirators were rehabilitated and allowed to re-enter Pakistani society. The government pardoned several of the conspirators, including Akbar Khan, in the hope of promoting national unity and reconciliation. However, this move was controversial, with many seeing it as a sign of weakness on the part of the government and a further erosion of civilian authority.
The impact of the failed Rawalpindi Conspiracy on subsequent coups in Pakistan is difficult to quantify, but it is clear that would-be coup plotters learned from the mistakes of their predecessors and adapted their tactics accordingly. The military became more sophisticated in its approach to coups, using a combination of covert and overt means to achieve its goals. This has led to a cycle of coups and civilian governments in Pakistan, with the military often playing a dominant role in politics.
Conclusion
The Rawalpindi Conspiracy of 1951 was a significant event in Pakistan's political history. It exposed the dangers of military intervention in politics and underscored the importance of civilian control of the military. The aftermath of the conspiracy had a lasting impact on Pakistan's political landscape, contributing to a period of repression and censorship and setting the stage for future military coups. As such, it remains an important case study for scholars and policymakers interested in the intersection of military and civilian politics in developing countries.
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