Khan Amirzadah Khan
Encyclopedia
Khan Amirzadah Khan
is a Khudai Khidmatgar
and a leader of the National Awami Party
in Pakistan. He was born on 15 November 1918 in the house of Khan Khoidad Khan at Bakhshali
village, Mardan District
in the province of Pukhtunkhwa formerly known as North West Frontier Province (NWFP).He was an active participant of Khudai Khidmatgar
Organization of Great freedom fighter KHAN ABDUL GHAFFAR KHAN (Bacha Khan
) since his student life, Amirzada Khan started active politics with National Awami Party
and remained President of National Awami Party
District Mardan
(now Ditt Mardan
& District Swabi
) until 1972 when He remained senior Minister of the province(Provincial Minister of Law,Education and Parliamentary Affairs).
, Mardan
District, a village adjacent to village Bakhshali
. Later, he got his lower and high secondary school education from Government High School in Mardan
. He topped the middle and matriculation examination from Board Of Intermediate & Secondary Education Punjab.
At the eve of the final day, Mr.Sikandar Mirza, the then Deputy Commissioner of district Mardan
, (Who later became the President of Pakistan) was the Chief Guest at the Annual Award Ceremony. Amirzada Khan being a top student both in academic and extra curricular activities and also won the declamation contest in the same function,the Chief Guest presented a 38 Bore Revolver to Amirzada Khan as a gift from his own side. At that time only the people with great honor could carry a weapon and Amirzada Khan was bestowed upon that honor.
After his Graduation from University of Punjab, he went to The University of Aligarh
for his higher studies and from there he got Law Degree with distinction. On Completion of his studies he shifted to Karachi
and started apprenticeship with renowned Lawyer of the time Mr A .K .Brohi.After completion of apprenticeship,he shifted back to Mardan
and started his practice of Law.
He was an active participant of Khudai Khidmatgar
Organization of Great freedom fighter KHAN ABDUL GHAFFAR KHAN Baacha Khan since his student life,Amirzada Khan statrted active politics from the same nationalist,secular and socialistic organization (which later became National Awami Party
) and he remained President of National Awami Party
District Mardan
(now Distt Mardan
& District Swabi
)till 1972 when he became senior Minister of the province.
was arrested. Although Khan Amirzadah Khan was a junior Lawyer but at that time nobody had the courage to confront the military regime, Khan Amirzadah Khan, volunteered and advocated the case of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
against Martial Law Regime of Field Martial Ayub Khan.
conducted elections in Pakistan on the basis of his own man-made rule known as Basic Democracy System in which there was no concept of one man, one vote. Only 85 Thousand People were eligible to vote in the then combined Pakistan. i.e. East Pakistan and West Pakistan. Ayub Khan was contesting the elections from the official/govt party named Convention Muslim League
.
All the Opposition political parties got united and nominated Fatima Jinnah,the sister of the Founder of Pakistan as there candidate. Elections were also scheduled for the National Assembly Of Pakistan. In which the present district Mardan and district Swabi had a combined one Constituency. The Government Party selected the Nawab of Hoti, Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti
as their candidate and The All Parties combined opposition selected a middle class lawyer Khan Amirzadah Khan
to contest the election against the Nawabzada.
Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti
being the Nawab of the area wished to be elected unopposed hence Khan Amirzadah Khan was pressurized and influenced by all available means to withdraw in favor of Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti
. Finally, he was offered a prime agricultural land of 2000 canals in Toot Kalli Area of Mardan
nearby Khan Amirzadah Khan
's village Bakhshali
and a cash amount of Rupees Five Hundred Thousands was offered (at that time Gold was less than RS.100 a tola). But this middle class man of honour refused to budge in spite of the fact that he knew very well that his chances of winning the election against Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti
are minimal. Khan Amirzadah Khan
lost the elections by a small margin but did not loose his self-esteem and self-respect which lead to his extreme popularity in the masses and then when in 1970 general elections, he contested for both National Assembly of Pakistan as well as Provincial Assembly of NWFP,he won both seats with overwhelming majority .
(NAP) and other opposition parties.He continued his Political activities and used to be considered one of the most trusted person of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
and Khan Abdul Wali Khan, who always consulted Khan Amirzadah Khan in Political as well as Constitutional Matters.
, who at that time was in exile in Afghanistan,thought that the presence of Khan Abdul Wali Khan, Khan Amirzadah Khan
and Arbab Sikandar Khan Khalil is necessary in at least one of the Assemblies.
HenceKhan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
conveyed his desire to the Party that these 3 leaders of National Awami Party
shall contest the elections for both National Assembly as well as the Provincial Assembly of the then NWFP,which was willingly accepted by the party Parliamentary Board and these three leaders contested for both National Assembly of Pakistan as well as Provincial Assembly of NWFP.
Khan Abdul Wali Khan and Khan Amirzadah Khan
won both the assembly elections with overwhelming majority. Arbab Sikandar Khan Khalil won the Provincial Assembly seat.
The Awami League Shiekh Mujeb-ur-Rehman of swept the elections in East Pakistan
and overall, taking an overwhelming majority in combined Pakistan. Pakistan Peoples Party
of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
swept in Punjab and Sindh.In Baluchistan and NWFP National Awami Party
got the majority. But Chief Martial Law Administrator and the Establishment, (which was dominated by West Pakistan Particularly,the Punjab) refused to hand over the power to the largest winning Party that was Awami League.
The Awami League, which led to agitation in East Pakistan.The Establishment decided to crush this popular agitation and a bruttle ARMY action was started that resulted in the separation of East Pakistan
which became an independent country (Bangladesh).
Chief Martial Law Administrator General Yahya Khan quit the power in the remaining Pakistan and Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
became the new Chief Martial Law Administrator (The First Civilian Chief Martial Law Administrator in history) and later became the President of Pakistan.
. This led to the formation of National Awami Party
coalition provincial governments in the NWFP and Baluchistan. Despite the initial positive start, the agreement rapidly began to unravel due to the growing animosity between Khan Abdul Wali Khan and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
.Pakistan Peoples Party
of Mr.Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
was the largest party in Sindh and Punjab but had no Member Baluchistan and only one National Assembly & three provincial assembly members in NWFP, in these two provinces National Awami Party
of Khan Abdul Wali Khan was the major party.Both PPP and NAP considered it a necessity to work together and run the bifurcated remaining Pakistan in a democratic manner.
There was a long period of parleys between the two parties,in which Khan Amirzadah Khan was the main negotiator from National Awami Party
.Finally,an accord was reached with consensus.According to the accord the Governors and the Chief Ministers of Sindh
and Punjab was to be named by Pakistan Peoples Party
as it was the largest party while the Governor of NWFP and Balochistan
to be the nominees of National Awami Party
and the Chief Ministers of these Provinces were to be nominees of National Awami Party
and Jamiat UL Islam of Molana Mufti Mehmood.
Accordingly the Federal and Provincial Governments were installed as per the negotiated formula.Khan Amirzadah Khan was nominated as Senior Minister with portfolios of Education,Law and Parliamentary Affairs.
The System was running very well and quiet smoothly but unfortunately the nature of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was that he always wanted absolute authority and could not he could not tolerate the authority in NWFP and Balochistan remains with others. In ten months, he sabotaged his own accord and dismissed the Governors of Balochistan and NWFP. The democratically elected government of Balochistan was dismissed. As a protest the government of NWFP resigned en-mass.
MARCH 1973,The leadership of National Awami Party and workers were arrested on various pretexts. Khan Amirzadah Khan started a long legal battle. He was released by the courts, but rearrested by the Bhutto government.
Khan Amirzadah Khan was also arrested, along with other National Awami Party leaders and charged with the murder of Hayat Khan Sherpao.
Khan Amirzadah Khan and Mir Ghous Bux Bizenjo were representing National Awami Party
.This Constitutional Committee headed Abdul Hafiz Pirzada
of Pakistan Peoples Party
work day and night for many months and framed a draft constitution which was presented in the parliament and adopted as the well known 1973 constitution.
Khan Amirzadah Khan deliberated and delivered his famous speech of 5 hours and 35 minutes on this constitution,this speech is still holding the record of the longest extempore speech of the National Assembly.
According to this constitution no person could hold membership of more than 1 Assembly at a time.Hence, Khan Abdul Wali Khan resigned from the membership of NWFP assembly and retained the seat of National Assembly of Pakistan.On the advice of the party leadership Khan Amirzadah Khan resigned from the National Assembly and retained the membership of NWFP assembly seat.Where Khan Amirzadah Khan was elected as leader of the opposition which he retained till the end of the tenure of the assembly.
/
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto tried but failed to break or purchase the loyalties of the parliamentarian of National Awami Party.He in a fit of angry and revenge he decided and ordered on 10 February 1975, a ban on National Awami Party under the "Political Parties Act,1962" of the constitution.
All the National Awami Party leadership was put behind the bars.Khan Amirzadah Khan was also arrested but was released by court of law.
On the instruction of the party high hierarchy Khan Amirzadah Khan along with Nasim Wali Khan started deliberations and finally persuaded a Baloch Nationalist leader Mr.Sherbaz Mazari and a new party with the name of National Democratic Alliance was launched.
Mr.Sherbaz Mazari was elected its central president and the members of the National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies affiliated with National Awami Party join this new party.which was considered as a brain child of Khan Amirzadah Khan and a beteer substitute for the National Awami Party,(NAP).
was the unanimous candidate of all the combined opposition parties.
became convinced that Khan Abdul Wali Khan,Amirzada Khan and the National Awami Party.
8 February 1975. Whilst addressing the students, Hayat Mohammed Khan Sherpao, senior
minister of the NWFP and president of the provincial PPP, was blown up
by a bomb and killed. Another Prime Minister Bhutto, Zulfikar that time,
stopped doing what he was doing in New York that day, boarded the plane,
flew back, and wept at Sherpaos grave.
The very next day, on 9 February, the leaders of the opposition NAP in
various parts of the country were arrested. These included Wali Khan,
Arbab Sikander, Syed Kaswar Gardezi, Mehroz Akhtar, Arbab Saifur Rahman,
Major General M.G. Jilani (Jil of Narowal), Amirzada Khan, Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour,
Mohammed Adil, Rukhnuddin Kazmi, Hassan Hameedi, Rehmatullah Khan Rohaila, Abdul Khaliq Khan (Roedads brother, the best of the lot). They were held under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO)
ordinance and various other false charges.
Barrister Azizullah Shaikh, chief of the National Awami Party
in Karachi
,
who was in Hyderabad
, managed to remain out of reach. His home, with his wife and
three small daughters, was surrounded by agency men, it was pelted with
stones, and the children terrorised. Friend Sardar Sherbaz Mazari moved
in with his own armed bodyguards and stayed overnight to protect
Azizullahs family.
On 10 February, the government of Pakistan dissolved the National Awami Party
and forfeited all the properties and funds of the Party. The
action, according to Gazette of Pakistan notifications, has been taken
under Sub-section 1 of Section VI of the Political Parties Act of 1962.
The notifications said that the government was satisfied that the National Awami Party
was operating in a manner prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity
of Pakistan and it had, therefore, formally declared the National Awami Party
to be
operating in such a manner. Following the government order, all the
offices of the Party throughout the country have been sealed. (Dawn
11 Feb. 1975).
The movement of scores of other office-bearers of the NAP in various
centres of the country were restricted under the dreaded MPO. On the
same day government agents raided and ransacked the offices of Asghar
Khan's Newspaper Daily Tehrik-i-Istiqlal and of the Jamaat. The office of the defunct
daily newspaper Shahbaz was set afire.
On 14 February, the champion of liberty, Minister for Provincial Co-
ordination Hafiz Pirzada declared that the administrative action taken
by the government in dissolving the National Awami Party
was not
arbitrary or out of rancour and acrimony it was strictly in conformity
with the provisions of the Constitution.
I now quote from Bhuttos biographer, Stanley Wolpert, the first man
allowed access to the archives of the great leader at 70 Clifton. He
had no doubt, moreover, as to the identity of the murderers, though no
party or individual would ever claim credit for killing Sherpao. Zulfi
felt as certain that Abdul Wali Khan was the man responsible for Hayat Khan Sherpao's
death as Ahmed Raza was certain about who killed his father.
Imran may have read his Wisden, but there is no single book that
will teach him about how politics works in Pakistan. The best he can do
is to read the three books written by that erudite affable resident of
Pakistan, Herbert Feldman, dealing with three different periods in the
countrys history, culminating in the happenings of 1971 when our inept
politicians lost for us half our country. To gain insight into some of
the doings of the first of the PPP governments, he could also read the
editorials written by Iqbal Burney for his Outlook magazine, a
publication that was eventually banned by Bhutto. The White Papers,
published by Zia on the various performances of the Bhutto regime, will
also enlighten him as to the workings of the mind of the third of the
PPP governments.
to prosecute opposition politicians of the National Awami Party
on the charges of treason and acting against the ideology of Pakistan.
When Zulfikar Ali Bhutto failed absolutely to break the leadership of National Awami Party.All the prominent leaders of this party were arrested in a fake case of Hight-reason and conspiracy to break Pakistan.A total of 52 people were arrested. Those arrested from the National Awami Party
leadership included Khan Abdul Wali Khan,Khan Amirzadah Khan, Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo, Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri
, Syed Kaswar Gardezi, Mir Gul Khan Nasir, Sardar Ataullah Mengal, Habib Jalib
, Barrister Azizullah Shaikh, Aslam She-sani(Aslam Baluch), Aslam Kurd, Saleem Kurd, Sher Mohammad Marri
Karnel Sultan Mengal and several other patriots. In addition, several members of the Muslim League and even prominent critics of Bhutto within his own Pakistan Peoples Party
were also arrested.
The Peshawar University, to that fateful Saturday, 8 February 1975. Whilst
addressing the students, Hayat Mohammed Khan Sherpao, senior
minister of the NWFP and president of the provincial PPP, was blown up
by a bomb and killed. Another Prime Minister Bhutto, Zulfikar that time,
stopped doing what he was doing in New York that day, boarded the plane,
flew back, and wept at Sherpaos grave.
The very next day, on 9 February, the leaders of the opposition National Awami Party
in
various parts of the country were arrested. These included Khan Abdul Wali Khan,
Arbab Sikander Khan Khalil, Syed Kaswar Gardezi, Mehroz Akhtar, Arbab Saifur Rahman,
Major General M.G. Jilani (Jil of Narowal), Khan Amirzada Khan, Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, Mohammad Adil, Rukhnuddin Kazmi, Hassan Hameedi,
Rehmatullah Khan Rohaila, Abdul Khaliq Khan (Roedads brother, the best
of the lot). They were held under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO)
ordinance and various other false charges.
Barrister Azizullah Shaikh, chief of the National Awami Party
in Karachi, who was in
Hyderabad, managed to remain out of reach. His home, with his wife and
three small daughters, was surrounded by agency men, it was pelted with
stones, and the children terrorised. Friend Sardar Sherbaz Mazari moved
in with his own armed bodyguards and stayed overnight to protect
Azizullahs family.
On 10 February, the government of Pakistan dissolved the National Awami Party
and forfeited all the properties and funds of the Party. The
action, according to Gazette of Pakistan
notifications, has been taken
under Sub-section 1 of Section VI of the Political Parties Act of 1962.
The notifications said that the government was satisfied that the National Awami Party
was operating in a manner prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity
of Pakistan
and it had, therefore, formally declared the National Awami Party to be operating in such a manner. Following the government order, all the
offices of the Party throughout the country have been sealed. (Dawn
11 Feb. 1975).
The movement of scores of other office-bearers of the National Awami Party
in various
centres of the country were restricted under the dreaded MPO. On the
same day government agents raided and ransacked the offices of Asghar
Khans Tehrik-i-Istiqlal and of the Jamaat. The office of the defunct
daily newspaper Shahbaz was set afire.
On 14 February, the champion of liberty, Minister for Provincial Co-
ordination Hafiz Pirzada declared that the administrative action taken
by the government in dissolving the National Awami Party
was not
arbitrary or out of rancour and acrimony it was strictly in conformity
with the provisions of the Constitution.
I now quote from Bhuttos biographer, Stanley Wolpert, the first man
allowed access to the archives of the great leader at 70 Clifton. He
had no doubt, moreover, as to the identity of the murderers, though no
party or individual would ever claim credit for killing Sherpao. Zulfi
felt as certain that Khan Abdul Wali Khan was the man responsible for Sherpaos
death as Ahmed Raza was certain about who killed his father.
A Special Tribunal was set up on the orders of Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
in Centarl Jail Of Hyderabad(Sindh).The National Awami Party
, which the government banned on 10 February 1975.Khan Amirzadah Khan in spite of enduring the hardships of the prison was advocating the case of National Awami Party's leadership.
In this Tribunal due to his very hard work and struggles his health deterioted he developed 'Diabetes' and later hard multiple heart attacks in the prison and was finally bailed out on medical grounds for better medical treatment.
committed wide spread rigging in the whole country in the elections for the National Assembly Of Pakistan.And as a protest the combined opposition decided to boycott the General Elections for Provincial Assembly of NWFP and Balochistan to be held 3 days later.
The opposition parties got united under the banner of PNA and the country-wide spontaneous agitation erupted in the country.
Amendment of Article 10 of the Constitution.
In the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, hereinafter referred to as the Constitution, in Article 10,— In clause (7), in the proviso, after the word “enemy”, the commas and words “, or who is acting or attempting to act in a manner prejudicial to the integrity, security of defense of Pakistan or any part thereof or who commits or attempt to commit any act which amounts to an anti-national activity as defined in a Federal Law or is a member of any association which has for its object, or which indulges him, any such anti-national activity” shall be added.
|he government used extensive means to validate the charges levelled against National Awami Party
, while no proof was ever shown of the Party or its leaders role in the murder of Hayat Khan Sherpao, a strong state run media smear campaign was launched which attributed any argument for the acquittal or release of the National Awami Party
leaders as anti-Pakistani.
In addition, Prime Minister Bhutto warned the judges that the “responsibility of the consequence will be of the Supreme Court” should they reject his reference against NAP.
Khan Amirzadah Khan
Khan Amirzadah Khan is a Khudai Khidmatgar and a leader of the National Awami Party in Pakistan. He was born on 15 November 1918 in the house of Khan Khoidad Khan at Bakhshali village, Mardan District in the province of Pukhtunkhwa formerly known as North West Frontier Province .He was an active...
is a Khudai Khidmatgar
Khudai Khidmatgar
Khudai Khidmatgar literally translates as the servants of God, represented a non-violent freedom struggle against the British Empire by the Pashtuns of the North-West Frontier Province....
and a leader of the National Awami Party
National Awami Party (Wali)
The National Awami Party was formed after a split between Maulana Bhashani and Khan Wali Khan ostensibly over Bhashani's siding with China and Professor Muzaffar Ahmed along with Khan Abdul Wali Khan sided with U.S.S.R in the Sino-Soviet split...
in Pakistan. He was born on 15 November 1918 in the house of Khan Khoidad Khan at Bakhshali
Bakhshali
Bakhshali is a village and union council in Mardan District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. It is located at 34°17'0N 72°9'0E and has an altitude of 307 metres .-History:...
village, Mardan District
Mardan District
Mardan is a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The city of Mardan is the headquarters of the district. The district also contains the famous archaeological site of Takht Bhai, Jamal Ghari and Sawal Dher.-Administration:...
in the province of Pukhtunkhwa formerly known as North West Frontier Province (NWFP).He was an active participant of Khudai Khidmatgar
Khudai Khidmatgar
Khudai Khidmatgar literally translates as the servants of God, represented a non-violent freedom struggle against the British Empire by the Pashtuns of the North-West Frontier Province....
Organization of Great freedom fighter KHAN ABDUL GHAFFAR KHAN (Bacha Khan
Bacha Khan
Bacha Khan may refer to:* Bacha Khan is an alternate name for Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, a political ally of Mahatma Gandhi* Bacha Khan , appointed Governor of Paktia Province, see 2002 in Afghanistan* Bacha Khan...
) since his student life, Amirzada Khan started active politics with National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
and remained President of National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
District Mardan
Mardan
Mardan , known as The city of hospitality, is a city and headquarters of Mardan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. It is the de facto headquarters of the Yousafzai tribe and the second most populous city in the province, located at 34°12'0N 72°1'60E and an altitude of in the south...
(now Ditt Mardan
Mardan
Mardan , known as The city of hospitality, is a city and headquarters of Mardan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. It is the de facto headquarters of the Yousafzai tribe and the second most populous city in the province, located at 34°12'0N 72°1'60E and an altitude of in the south...
& District Swabi
Swabi
Swabi is the capital of Swabi District in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It is located at 34°7'0N 72°28'0E. Its residents are referred to as 'Swabiwaal.'-Geography:...
) until 1972 when He remained senior Minister of the province(Provincial Minister of Law,Education and Parliamentary Affairs).
Early life
Khan Amirzadah Khan got his early education from then Primary School GujratGujrat
Gujrat is a city in Pakistan. It is the capital of Gujrat District and the Gujrat Tehsil subdivision in the Punjab Province. People living in Gujrat refer to themselves as Gujratis, which sometimes leads to confusion with people from the Indian state of Gujarat which adjoins Pakistan...
, Mardan
Mardan
Mardan , known as The city of hospitality, is a city and headquarters of Mardan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. It is the de facto headquarters of the Yousafzai tribe and the second most populous city in the province, located at 34°12'0N 72°1'60E and an altitude of in the south...
District, a village adjacent to village Bakhshali
Bakhshali
Bakhshali is a village and union council in Mardan District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. It is located at 34°17'0N 72°9'0E and has an altitude of 307 metres .-History:...
. Later, he got his lower and high secondary school education from Government High School in Mardan
Mardan
Mardan , known as The city of hospitality, is a city and headquarters of Mardan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. It is the de facto headquarters of the Yousafzai tribe and the second most populous city in the province, located at 34°12'0N 72°1'60E and an altitude of in the south...
. He topped the middle and matriculation examination from Board Of Intermediate & Secondary Education Punjab.
At the eve of the final day, Mr.Sikandar Mirza, the then Deputy Commissioner of district Mardan
Mardan
Mardan , known as The city of hospitality, is a city and headquarters of Mardan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. It is the de facto headquarters of the Yousafzai tribe and the second most populous city in the province, located at 34°12'0N 72°1'60E and an altitude of in the south...
, (Who later became the President of Pakistan) was the Chief Guest at the Annual Award Ceremony. Amirzada Khan being a top student both in academic and extra curricular activities and also won the declamation contest in the same function,the Chief Guest presented a 38 Bore Revolver to Amirzada Khan as a gift from his own side. At that time only the people with great honor could carry a weapon and Amirzada Khan was bestowed upon that honor.
After his Graduation from University of Punjab, he went to The University of Aligarh
Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh Muslim University ,is a residential academic university, established in 1875 by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan as Mohammedan Angelo-Oriental College and later granted the status of Central University by an Act of the Indian Parliament in 1920...
for his higher studies and from there he got Law Degree with distinction. On Completion of his studies he shifted to Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
and started apprenticeship with renowned Lawyer of the time Mr A .K .Brohi.After completion of apprenticeship,he shifted back to Mardan
Mardan
Mardan , known as The city of hospitality, is a city and headquarters of Mardan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. It is the de facto headquarters of the Yousafzai tribe and the second most populous city in the province, located at 34°12'0N 72°1'60E and an altitude of in the south...
and started his practice of Law.
He was an active participant of Khudai Khidmatgar
Khudai Khidmatgar
Khudai Khidmatgar literally translates as the servants of God, represented a non-violent freedom struggle against the British Empire by the Pashtuns of the North-West Frontier Province....
Organization of Great freedom fighter KHAN ABDUL GHAFFAR KHAN Baacha Khan since his student life,Amirzada Khan statrted active politics from the same nationalist,secular and socialistic organization (which later became National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
) and he remained President of National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
District Mardan
Mardan
Mardan , known as The city of hospitality, is a city and headquarters of Mardan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. It is the de facto headquarters of the Yousafzai tribe and the second most populous city in the province, located at 34°12'0N 72°1'60E and an altitude of in the south...
(now Distt Mardan
Mardan
Mardan , known as The city of hospitality, is a city and headquarters of Mardan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. It is the de facto headquarters of the Yousafzai tribe and the second most populous city in the province, located at 34°12'0N 72°1'60E and an altitude of in the south...
& District Swabi
Swabi
Swabi is the capital of Swabi District in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It is located at 34°7'0N 72°28'0E. Its residents are referred to as 'Swabiwaal.'-Geography:...
)till 1972 when he became senior Minister of the province.
Political & Legal Activities
In 1958, Khan Abdul Ghaffar KhanKhan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was an Afghan, Pashtun political and spiritual leader known for his non-violent opposition to British Rule in India...
was arrested. Although Khan Amirzadah Khan was a junior Lawyer but at that time nobody had the courage to confront the military regime, Khan Amirzadah Khan, volunteered and advocated the case of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was an Afghan, Pashtun political and spiritual leader known for his non-violent opposition to British Rule in India...
against Martial Law Regime of Field Martial Ayub Khan.
Election March 1964 General Elections
In 1964 Ayub KhanAyub Khan
Muhammad Ayub Khan , N.Pk., H.Pk., HJ, psc, was a 5-star General and self-appointed Field Marshal in the Pakistan Army and the first military dictator, and Chief Martial Law Administrator of Pakistan...
conducted elections in Pakistan on the basis of his own man-made rule known as Basic Democracy System in which there was no concept of one man, one vote. Only 85 Thousand People were eligible to vote in the then combined Pakistan. i.e. East Pakistan and West Pakistan. Ayub Khan was contesting the elections from the official/govt party named Convention Muslim League
Convention Muslim League
The Convention Muslim League was a faction of the Pakistan Muslim League that split-off in 1962 in support of the military regime of the President of Pakistan Gen. Ayub Khan....
.
All the Opposition political parties got united and nominated Fatima Jinnah,the sister of the Founder of Pakistan as there candidate. Elections were also scheduled for the National Assembly Of Pakistan. In which the present district Mardan and district Swabi had a combined one Constituency. The Government Party selected the Nawab of Hoti, Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti
Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti
Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti was a former governor of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.He was from Mardan.Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti was a former governor of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.He was from Mardan.Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti was a former...
as their candidate and The All Parties combined opposition selected a middle class lawyer Khan Amirzadah Khan
Khan Amirzadah Khan
Khan Amirzadah Khan is a Khudai Khidmatgar and a leader of the National Awami Party in Pakistan. He was born on 15 November 1918 in the house of Khan Khoidad Khan at Bakhshali village, Mardan District in the province of Pukhtunkhwa formerly known as North West Frontier Province .He was an active...
to contest the election against the Nawabzada.
Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti
Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti
Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti was a former governor of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.He was from Mardan.Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti was a former governor of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.He was from Mardan.Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti was a former...
being the Nawab of the area wished to be elected unopposed hence Khan Amirzadah Khan was pressurized and influenced by all available means to withdraw in favor of Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti
Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti
Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti was a former governor of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.He was from Mardan.Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti was a former governor of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.He was from Mardan.Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti was a former...
. Finally, he was offered a prime agricultural land of 2000 canals in Toot Kalli Area of Mardan
Mardan
Mardan , known as The city of hospitality, is a city and headquarters of Mardan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. It is the de facto headquarters of the Yousafzai tribe and the second most populous city in the province, located at 34°12'0N 72°1'60E and an altitude of in the south...
nearby Khan Amirzadah Khan
Khan Amirzadah Khan
Khan Amirzadah Khan is a Khudai Khidmatgar and a leader of the National Awami Party in Pakistan. He was born on 15 November 1918 in the house of Khan Khoidad Khan at Bakhshali village, Mardan District in the province of Pukhtunkhwa formerly known as North West Frontier Province .He was an active...
's village Bakhshali
Bakhshali
Bakhshali is a village and union council in Mardan District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. It is located at 34°17'0N 72°9'0E and has an altitude of 307 metres .-History:...
and a cash amount of Rupees Five Hundred Thousands was offered (at that time Gold was less than RS.100 a tola). But this middle class man of honour refused to budge in spite of the fact that he knew very well that his chances of winning the election against Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti
Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti
Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti was a former governor of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.He was from Mardan.Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti was a former governor of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.He was from Mardan.Nawabzada Abdul Ghafoor Khan Hoti was a former...
are minimal. Khan Amirzadah Khan
Khan Amirzadah Khan
Khan Amirzadah Khan is a Khudai Khidmatgar and a leader of the National Awami Party in Pakistan. He was born on 15 November 1918 in the house of Khan Khoidad Khan at Bakhshali village, Mardan District in the province of Pukhtunkhwa formerly known as North West Frontier Province .He was an active...
lost the elections by a small margin but did not loose his self-esteem and self-respect which lead to his extreme popularity in the masses and then when in 1970 general elections, he contested for both National Assembly of Pakistan as well as Provincial Assembly of NWFP,he won both seats with overwhelming majority .
Period after 1964 elections
After the Elections,Khan Amirzadah Khan continued his law practice and almost 50 percent of his cases were against the government.And Advocated cases for the Political Workers of National Awami PartyNational Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
(NAP) and other opposition parties.He continued his Political activities and used to be considered one of the most trusted person of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was an Afghan, Pashtun political and spiritual leader known for his non-violent opposition to British Rule in India...
and Khan Abdul Wali Khan, who always consulted Khan Amirzadah Khan in Political as well as Constitutional Matters.
1970 General Elections
In 1967, after the fall of Field Martial Muhammad Ayub Khan there was a long spell of Political Activism and popular agitation,culminating in general elections of 1970. Khan Abdul Ghaffar KhanKhan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was an Afghan, Pashtun political and spiritual leader known for his non-violent opposition to British Rule in India...
, who at that time was in exile in Afghanistan,thought that the presence of Khan Abdul Wali Khan, Khan Amirzadah Khan
Khan Amirzadah Khan
Khan Amirzadah Khan is a Khudai Khidmatgar and a leader of the National Awami Party in Pakistan. He was born on 15 November 1918 in the house of Khan Khoidad Khan at Bakhshali village, Mardan District in the province of Pukhtunkhwa formerly known as North West Frontier Province .He was an active...
and Arbab Sikandar Khan Khalil is necessary in at least one of the Assemblies.
HenceKhan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was an Afghan, Pashtun political and spiritual leader known for his non-violent opposition to British Rule in India...
conveyed his desire to the Party that these 3 leaders of National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
shall contest the elections for both National Assembly as well as the Provincial Assembly of the then NWFP,which was willingly accepted by the party Parliamentary Board and these three leaders contested for both National Assembly of Pakistan as well as Provincial Assembly of NWFP.
Khan Abdul Wali Khan and Khan Amirzadah Khan
Khan Amirzadah Khan
Khan Amirzadah Khan is a Khudai Khidmatgar and a leader of the National Awami Party in Pakistan. He was born on 15 November 1918 in the house of Khan Khoidad Khan at Bakhshali village, Mardan District in the province of Pukhtunkhwa formerly known as North West Frontier Province .He was an active...
won both the assembly elections with overwhelming majority. Arbab Sikandar Khan Khalil won the Provincial Assembly seat.
The Awami League Shiekh Mujeb-ur-Rehman of swept the elections in East Pakistan
East Pakistan
East Pakistan was a provincial state of Pakistan established in 14 August 1947. The provincial state existed until its declaration of independence on 26 March 1971 as the independent nation of Bangladesh. Pakistan recognized the new nation on 16 December 1971. East Pakistan was created from Bengal...
and overall, taking an overwhelming majority in combined Pakistan. Pakistan Peoples Party
Pakistan Peoples Party
The Pakistan Peoples Party , is a democratic socialist political party in Pakistan affiliated with Socialist International. Pakistan People's Party is the largest political party of Pakistan...
of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977, and prior to that, 4th President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973. Bhutto was the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party — the largest and most influential political party in Pakistan— and served as its chairman until his...
swept in Punjab and Sindh.In Baluchistan and NWFP National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
got the majority. But Chief Martial Law Administrator and the Establishment, (which was dominated by West Pakistan Particularly,the Punjab) refused to hand over the power to the largest winning Party that was Awami League.
The Awami League, which led to agitation in East Pakistan.The Establishment decided to crush this popular agitation and a bruttle ARMY action was started that resulted in the separation of East Pakistan
East Pakistan
East Pakistan was a provincial state of Pakistan established in 14 August 1947. The provincial state existed until its declaration of independence on 26 March 1971 as the independent nation of Bangladesh. Pakistan recognized the new nation on 16 December 1971. East Pakistan was created from Bengal...
which became an independent country (Bangladesh).
Chief Martial Law Administrator General Yahya Khan quit the power in the remaining Pakistan and Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977, and prior to that, 4th President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973. Bhutto was the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party — the largest and most influential political party in Pakistan— and served as its chairman until his...
became the new Chief Martial Law Administrator (The First Civilian Chief Martial Law Administrator in history) and later became the President of Pakistan.
National Awami Party and Pakistan Peoples Party accord
Khan Abdul Wali Khan's negotiations with Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto led to the signing of an agreement with the government in 1972, called the Tripartite Agreement. The agreement led to the lifting of martial law and removal of the ban on the National Awami PartyNational Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
. This led to the formation of National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
coalition provincial governments in the NWFP and Baluchistan. Despite the initial positive start, the agreement rapidly began to unravel due to the growing animosity between Khan Abdul Wali Khan and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977, and prior to that, 4th President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973. Bhutto was the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party — the largest and most influential political party in Pakistan— and served as its chairman until his...
.Pakistan Peoples Party
Pakistan Peoples Party
The Pakistan Peoples Party , is a democratic socialist political party in Pakistan affiliated with Socialist International. Pakistan People's Party is the largest political party of Pakistan...
of Mr.Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977, and prior to that, 4th President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973. Bhutto was the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party — the largest and most influential political party in Pakistan— and served as its chairman until his...
was the largest party in Sindh and Punjab but had no Member Baluchistan and only one National Assembly & three provincial assembly members in NWFP, in these two provinces National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
of Khan Abdul Wali Khan was the major party.Both PPP and NAP considered it a necessity to work together and run the bifurcated remaining Pakistan in a democratic manner.
There was a long period of parleys between the two parties,in which Khan Amirzadah Khan was the main negotiator from National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
.Finally,an accord was reached with consensus.According to the accord the Governors and the Chief Ministers of Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
and Punjab was to be named by Pakistan Peoples Party
Pakistan Peoples Party
The Pakistan Peoples Party , is a democratic socialist political party in Pakistan affiliated with Socialist International. Pakistan People's Party is the largest political party of Pakistan...
as it was the largest party while the Governor of NWFP and Balochistan
Balochistan
Balochistan or Baluchistan is a region which covers parts of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. It can also refer to one of several modern and historical territories within that region:...
to be the nominees of National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
and the Chief Ministers of these Provinces were to be nominees of National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
and Jamiat UL Islam of Molana Mufti Mehmood.
Accordingly the Federal and Provincial Governments were installed as per the negotiated formula.Khan Amirzadah Khan was nominated as Senior Minister with portfolios of Education,Law and Parliamentary Affairs.
The System was running very well and quiet smoothly but unfortunately the nature of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was that he always wanted absolute authority and could not he could not tolerate the authority in NWFP and Balochistan remains with others. In ten months, he sabotaged his own accord and dismissed the Governors of Balochistan and NWFP. The democratically elected government of Balochistan was dismissed. As a protest the government of NWFP resigned en-mass.
MARCH 1973,The leadership of National Awami Party and workers were arrested on various pretexts. Khan Amirzadah Khan started a long legal battle. He was released by the courts, but rearrested by the Bhutto government.
Khan Amirzadah Khan was also arrested, along with other National Awami Party leaders and charged with the murder of Hayat Khan Sherpao.
Constitutional Committee
Pakistan ran under the remnant of Martial Law LFO(Legal Framework Order) without any proper constitution. It was obligatory on the Legislature to frame a new constitution for a country, so it appointed a 25 member Constitutional committee composed of all the political parties represented in the parliament according to their strength.Khan Amirzadah Khan and Mir Ghous Bux Bizenjo were representing National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
.This Constitutional Committee headed Abdul Hafiz Pirzada
Abdul Hafiz Pirzada
Abdul Hafiz Pirzada, Senior Advocate Supreme Court, is one of the premier lawyers of Pakistan. Pirzada, a lawmaker and legal expert, is one of the founding members of Pakistan Peoples Party , a democratic socialist party, and a close associate and aide of former Prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto...
of Pakistan Peoples Party
Pakistan Peoples Party
The Pakistan Peoples Party , is a democratic socialist political party in Pakistan affiliated with Socialist International. Pakistan People's Party is the largest political party of Pakistan...
work day and night for many months and framed a draft constitution which was presented in the parliament and adopted as the well known 1973 constitution.
Khan Amirzadah Khan deliberated and delivered his famous speech of 5 hours and 35 minutes on this constitution,this speech is still holding the record of the longest extempore speech of the National Assembly.
According to this constitution no person could hold membership of more than 1 Assembly at a time.Hence, Khan Abdul Wali Khan resigned from the membership of NWFP assembly and retained the seat of National Assembly of Pakistan.On the advice of the party leadership Khan Amirzadah Khan resigned from the National Assembly and retained the membership of NWFP assembly seat.Where Khan Amirzadah Khan was elected as leader of the opposition which he retained till the end of the tenure of the assembly.
/
Ban on National Awami Party and birth of National Democratic Alliance
Khan Abdul Wali Khan,was the leader of the combined opposition in the National Assembly of Pakistan.He and his other followers and leaders of National Awami Party were steadfast against the dictatorial and undemocratic regime of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.Zulfikar Ali Bhutto tried but failed to break or purchase the loyalties of the parliamentarian of National Awami Party.He in a fit of angry and revenge he decided and ordered on 10 February 1975, a ban on National Awami Party under the "Political Parties Act,1962" of the constitution.
All the National Awami Party leadership was put behind the bars.Khan Amirzadah Khan was also arrested but was released by court of law.
On the instruction of the party high hierarchy Khan Amirzadah Khan along with Nasim Wali Khan started deliberations and finally persuaded a Baloch Nationalist leader Mr.Sherbaz Mazari and a new party with the name of National Democratic Alliance was launched.
Mr.Sherbaz Mazari was elected its central president and the members of the National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies affiliated with National Awami Party join this new party.which was considered as a brain child of Khan Amirzadah Khan and a beteer substitute for the National Awami Party,(NAP).
Presidential election
In 1973, After the implementation of the new constitution of 1973, the elections for the president of Pakistan were held. Pakistan People Party which was in govt nominated Fazal Elahi Chaudhry while Amirzada Khan of National Awami PartyNational Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
was the unanimous candidate of all the combined opposition parties.
Assassination of Hayat Khan Sherpao
In 1974, After Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's close ally and governor of the North-West Frontier Province Hayat Sherpao was killed in a bomb blast at Peshawar University. Zulfikar Ali BhuttoZulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977, and prior to that, 4th President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973. Bhutto was the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party — the largest and most influential political party in Pakistan— and served as its chairman until his...
became convinced that Khan Abdul Wali Khan,Amirzada Khan and the National Awami Party.
8 February 1975. Whilst addressing the students, Hayat Mohammed Khan Sherpao, senior
minister of the NWFP and president of the provincial PPP, was blown up
by a bomb and killed. Another Prime Minister Bhutto, Zulfikar that time,
stopped doing what he was doing in New York that day, boarded the plane,
flew back, and wept at Sherpaos grave.
The very next day, on 9 February, the leaders of the opposition NAP in
various parts of the country were arrested. These included Wali Khan,
Arbab Sikander, Syed Kaswar Gardezi, Mehroz Akhtar, Arbab Saifur Rahman,
Major General M.G. Jilani (Jil of Narowal), Amirzada Khan, Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour,
Mohammed Adil, Rukhnuddin Kazmi, Hassan Hameedi, Rehmatullah Khan Rohaila, Abdul Khaliq Khan (Roedads brother, the best of the lot). They were held under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO)
ordinance and various other false charges.
Barrister Azizullah Shaikh, chief of the National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
in Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
,
who was in Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Sindh
is the second largest city in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is the seventh largest city in the country. The city was founded in 1768 by Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro upon the ruins of a Mauryan fishing village along the bank of the Indus known as Neroon Kot...
, managed to remain out of reach. His home, with his wife and
three small daughters, was surrounded by agency men, it was pelted with
stones, and the children terrorised. Friend Sardar Sherbaz Mazari moved
in with his own armed bodyguards and stayed overnight to protect
Azizullahs family.
On 10 February, the government of Pakistan dissolved the National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
and forfeited all the properties and funds of the Party. The
action, according to Gazette of Pakistan notifications, has been taken
under Sub-section 1 of Section VI of the Political Parties Act of 1962.
The notifications said that the government was satisfied that the National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
was operating in a manner prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity
of Pakistan and it had, therefore, formally declared the National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
to be
operating in such a manner. Following the government order, all the
offices of the Party throughout the country have been sealed. (Dawn
11 Feb. 1975).
The movement of scores of other office-bearers of the NAP in various
centres of the country were restricted under the dreaded MPO. On the
same day government agents raided and ransacked the offices of Asghar
Khan's Newspaper Daily Tehrik-i-Istiqlal and of the Jamaat. The office of the defunct
daily newspaper Shahbaz was set afire.
On 14 February, the champion of liberty, Minister for Provincial Co-
ordination Hafiz Pirzada declared that the administrative action taken
by the government in dissolving the National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
was not
arbitrary or out of rancour and acrimony it was strictly in conformity
with the provisions of the Constitution.
I now quote from Bhuttos biographer, Stanley Wolpert, the first man
allowed access to the archives of the great leader at 70 Clifton. He
had no doubt, moreover, as to the identity of the murderers, though no
party or individual would ever claim credit for killing Sherpao. Zulfi
felt as certain that Abdul Wali Khan was the man responsible for Hayat Khan Sherpao's
death as Ahmed Raza was certain about who killed his father.
Imran may have read his Wisden, but there is no single book that
will teach him about how politics works in Pakistan. The best he can do
is to read the three books written by that erudite affable resident of
Pakistan, Herbert Feldman, dealing with three different periods in the
countrys history, culminating in the happenings of 1971 when our inept
politicians lost for us half our country. To gain insight into some of
the doings of the first of the PPP governments, he could also read the
editorials written by Iqbal Burney for his Outlook magazine, a
publication that was eventually banned by Bhutto. The White Papers,
published by Zia on the various performances of the Bhutto regime, will
also enlighten him as to the workings of the mind of the third of the
PPP governments.
Arrest and Hyderabad High Treason and Conspiracy Tribunal
The Hyderabad Tribunal (1975–1979), also known as Hyderabad conspiracy case, is the name of a former judicial tribunal used in PakistanPakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
to prosecute opposition politicians of the National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
on the charges of treason and acting against the ideology of Pakistan.
When Zulfikar Ali Bhutto failed absolutely to break the leadership of National Awami Party.All the prominent leaders of this party were arrested in a fake case of Hight-reason and conspiracy to break Pakistan.A total of 52 people were arrested. Those arrested from the National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
leadership included Khan Abdul Wali Khan,Khan Amirzadah Khan, Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo, Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri
Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri
Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri is a politician from Balochistan, Pakistan. He has been leading a nationalist and separatist in the country for the past four decades. He is also the head of his powerful Marri tribe...
, Syed Kaswar Gardezi, Mir Gul Khan Nasir, Sardar Ataullah Mengal, Habib Jalib
Habib Jalib
Habib Jalib was a Pakistani revolutionary poet. A left-wing activist and politician, he was a staunch democrat who opposed martial law, authoritarianism and state oppression.-Early life:...
, Barrister Azizullah Shaikh, Aslam She-sani(Aslam Baluch), Aslam Kurd, Saleem Kurd, Sher Mohammad Marri
Sher Mohammad Marri
Sher Muhammad Bijarani was a Baloch nationalist tribal chief. He fully favoured a struggle against Pakistan. He had very close link with Kabul, Moscow.Sher Muhammad Marri also known as Babu Shero, Shero Marri, General Sherof and Baluchi Tiger....
Karnel Sultan Mengal and several other patriots. In addition, several members of the Muslim League and even prominent critics of Bhutto within his own Pakistan Peoples Party
Pakistan Peoples Party
The Pakistan Peoples Party , is a democratic socialist political party in Pakistan affiliated with Socialist International. Pakistan People's Party is the largest political party of Pakistan...
were also arrested.
The Peshawar University, to that fateful Saturday, 8 February 1975. Whilst
addressing the students, Hayat Mohammed Khan Sherpao, senior
minister of the NWFP and president of the provincial PPP, was blown up
by a bomb and killed. Another Prime Minister Bhutto, Zulfikar that time,
stopped doing what he was doing in New York that day, boarded the plane,
flew back, and wept at Sherpaos grave.
The very next day, on 9 February, the leaders of the opposition National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
in
various parts of the country were arrested. These included Khan Abdul Wali Khan,
Arbab Sikander Khan Khalil, Syed Kaswar Gardezi, Mehroz Akhtar, Arbab Saifur Rahman,
Major General M.G. Jilani (Jil of Narowal), Khan Amirzada Khan, Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, Mohammad Adil, Rukhnuddin Kazmi, Hassan Hameedi,
Rehmatullah Khan Rohaila, Abdul Khaliq Khan (Roedads brother, the best
of the lot). They were held under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO)
ordinance and various other false charges.
Barrister Azizullah Shaikh, chief of the National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
in Karachi, who was in
Hyderabad, managed to remain out of reach. His home, with his wife and
three small daughters, was surrounded by agency men, it was pelted with
stones, and the children terrorised. Friend Sardar Sherbaz Mazari moved
in with his own armed bodyguards and stayed overnight to protect
Azizullahs family.
On 10 February, the government of Pakistan dissolved the National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
and forfeited all the properties and funds of the Party. The
action, according to Gazette of Pakistan
Gazette of Pakistan
Gazette of Pakistan is the official newspaper of the Government of Pakistan. The Gazette provides information about government acts, ordinances, regulations, orders, S.R.Os, notifications, appointments, promotions, leaves, and awards.-External links:*...
notifications, has been taken
under Sub-section 1 of Section VI of the Political Parties Act of 1962.
The notifications said that the government was satisfied that the National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
was operating in a manner prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity
of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
and it had, therefore, formally declared the National Awami Party to be operating in such a manner. Following the government order, all the
offices of the Party throughout the country have been sealed. (Dawn
11 Feb. 1975).
The movement of scores of other office-bearers of the National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
in various
centres of the country were restricted under the dreaded MPO. On the
same day government agents raided and ransacked the offices of Asghar
Khans Tehrik-i-Istiqlal and of the Jamaat. The office of the defunct
daily newspaper Shahbaz was set afire.
On 14 February, the champion of liberty, Minister for Provincial Co-
ordination Hafiz Pirzada declared that the administrative action taken
by the government in dissolving the National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
was not
arbitrary or out of rancour and acrimony it was strictly in conformity
with the provisions of the Constitution.
I now quote from Bhuttos biographer, Stanley Wolpert, the first man
allowed access to the archives of the great leader at 70 Clifton. He
had no doubt, moreover, as to the identity of the murderers, though no
party or individual would ever claim credit for killing Sherpao. Zulfi
felt as certain that Khan Abdul Wali Khan was the man responsible for Sherpaos
death as Ahmed Raza was certain about who killed his father.
A Special Tribunal was set up on the orders of Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977, and prior to that, 4th President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973. Bhutto was the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party — the largest and most influential political party in Pakistan— and served as its chairman until his...
in Centarl Jail Of Hyderabad(Sindh).The National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
, which the government banned on 10 February 1975.Khan Amirzadah Khan in spite of enduring the hardships of the prison was advocating the case of National Awami Party's leadership.
In this Tribunal due to his very hard work and struggles his health deterioted he developed 'Diabetes' and later hard multiple heart attacks in the prison and was finally bailed out on medical grounds for better medical treatment.
1977 General Elections
When 1977 General Elections were announced the party asked Khan Amirzadah Khan to contest the elections.He in-spite of poor health contested the General Elections for the Provincial Assembly of NWFP.Zulfikar Ali BhuttoZulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977, and prior to that, 4th President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973. Bhutto was the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party — the largest and most influential political party in Pakistan— and served as its chairman until his...
committed wide spread rigging in the whole country in the elections for the National Assembly Of Pakistan.And as a protest the combined opposition decided to boycott the General Elections for Provincial Assembly of NWFP and Balochistan to be held 3 days later.
The opposition parties got united under the banner of PNA and the country-wide spontaneous agitation erupted in the country.
Legal justification
The 3rd amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan was passed which gave wide legal scope to the state to define anti-state activities.Amendment of Article 10 of the Constitution.
In the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, hereinafter referred to as the Constitution, in Article 10,— In clause (7), in the proviso, after the word “enemy”, the commas and words “, or who is acting or attempting to act in a manner prejudicial to the integrity, security of defense of Pakistan or any part thereof or who commits or attempt to commit any act which amounts to an anti-national activity as defined in a Federal Law or is a member of any association which has for its object, or which indulges him, any such anti-national activity” shall be added.
Government charges & rebuttal
The National Awami PartyNational Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
|he government used extensive means to validate the charges levelled against National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
, while no proof was ever shown of the Party or its leaders role in the murder of Hayat Khan Sherpao, a strong state run media smear campaign was launched which attributed any argument for the acquittal or release of the National Awami Party
National Awami Party
The National Awami Party was a leftist political party in Pakistan. The party was founded in Dhaka in erstwhile East Pakistan in July 1957 through the merger of several leftist and progressive groups. It advocated provincial autonomy, rights on the basis of ethnicity, recognition of ethinicities...
leaders as anti-Pakistani.
In addition, Prime Minister Bhutto warned the judges that the “responsibility of the consequence will be of the Supreme Court” should they reject his reference against NAP.