Ghulam Muhammad

Malik Ghulam Muhammad (1895 - 1956) served as Governor General of Pakistan from 1951 until 1955, shortly before his death. He is best known for his dismissal of Prime Minister Khawaja Nazimuddin setting a trend for future politics in Pakistan.

Born in Lahore, Muhammad attended Aligarh University after which he worked in the accounting field. When Pakistan was formed in 1947, Muhammad served as it's first finanace minister, this owing to his vast experience in the sector that had been demonstrated prior to independence. Known for his bad health, Muhammad was almost removed by Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan, but the death of Khan gave Muhammad the chance to increase his power.

Khawaja Nazimmudin became Prime Minister of Pakistan and Ghulam Muhammad was made the Governor General. Put in this position Muhammad began to usurp power from the Prime Minister and extended the control exercised over the nation by the office of Governor General. Nazimuddin would challenge Muhammad's actions, but Muhammad used the power of Governor General to dismiss the government of Nazimuddin. This lead to the removal of Nazimuddin as Prime Minister, and the installation of Muhammad Ali Bogra as the new PM.

In 1954, the Assembly of Pakistan attempted to change the constitution so that the powers of the Governor General would be checked, in order to stop a repeat of what had occured with Nazimmudin's government. Rather than stand by idly, Ghulam Muhammad dismissed the Assembly, and was victorious as the Supreme Court of Pakistan upheld his decision despite protests from the Assembly.

Despite his political sucesses against his opponents, Muhammad's bad health would catch up with him, and Muhammad would take a leave of absence in 1955. The temporary Governor General, Iskander Mirza would dismiss him though, and Ghulam Muhammad would die the next year in 1956.

Preceded by :
Khawaja Nazimuddin

Governor Generals of Pakistan

Succeeded by:
Iskander Mirza