GCE ‘O’ LEVEL - THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF PAKISTAN 2059/1

Ayub Khan
.

Q Why was Martial Law declared in 1958? [7] (N2002/P1/4b)

Examiner Comments: In part (b), candidates had to explain why Martial Law was imposed
in 1958. Most candidates found difficulty with this and tended to describe the events of the
period rather than attempt to explain why it happened. As a result those candidates who
answered the question in this way were not as successful in gaining many marks compared
to earlier part (b) questions.

Q Which of the following was the most important contribution of Ayub Khan’s government during
the ‘decade of development’ between 1958 and 1969:

(i) agricultural and other economic reforms;

(ii) constitutional reforms;
(iii) foreign policy?

Explain your answer with reference to all three of the above. [14] (N2003/P1/4c)
Examiner Comments: However, in their responses to part (c) on the importance of a number
of reforms introduced by Ayub Khan, most candidates were on safer ground and many were
able to confidently explain his contribution in these areas. The only criticism would come from
those candidates who wrote irrelevantly about other reforms not identified in the question, but
again these answers were in a minority.

Q Why was Martial Law declared in 1958? [7] (N2004/P1/4b)

Examiner Comments: In part (b) candidates had to explain why Martial Law was declared
in 1958. Many candidates were able to describe the events that led to this declaration but
few were able to fully explain why these resulted in Martial Law being declared. As a result,
these candidates were not as successful in gaining many marks compared to earlier part (b)
questions.
Marking Scheme: Explains reasons
There were a number of Prime Ministers between 1956 and 1958 and it reached a stage when
Ayub Khan achieved that status that he felt the army should take control until stability had been
restored and questions answered. East Pakistan’s politicians wanted more say in the running
of the central government which increased tension.

Q ‘Constitutional reforms were the most important of Ayub Khan’s domestic policies during the
‘decade of development’ between 1958 and 1969.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your
answer. [14] (J2005/P1/5c)
Examiner Comments: In part (c) on Ayub Khan’s domestic policies, knowledge was good
but answers were often descriptive with many candidates also including foreign policy which
was not asked for by the question. There were few candidates who were able to do this part

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well and most answers tended to be awarded level 2 for a straightforward narrative of reform
during this time. However, it was pleasing to note that there were a number of candidates who
did attempt to answer the question as set and as a result did score highly.
Marking Scheme: Explains at least two factors (constitutional reforms to be included for
maximum marks). Also produces a judgement or evaluation.
In 1959 Basic Democracies were introduced which was a four tier structure of government
allowing elections at various levels. The success of these councils which were set up was such
that martial law was lifted. However, there were other factors which were important aspects
of his domestic policies. Land was redistributed to farmers with medium sized farms and
agriculture was revitalised to such an extent that crop outputs were at record levels. National
growth rate rose more than 7% and the economy grew three times faster than any other South
East Asian country. However, the new wealth was concentrated in the hands of a few and the
general population did not benefit.

Q Why was Martial Law declared in 1958? [7] (N2006/P1/5b)

Examiner Comments: In part (b), there were some good answers to the question asking
about reasons for Ayub Khan declaring Martial Law.
Marking Scheme: Explains reasons.
There were a number of Prime Ministers between 1956 and 1958 and it reached a stage when
Ayub Khan achieved that status that he felt the army should take control until stability had been
restored and questions answered. East Pakistan’s politicians wanted more say in the running
of the central government which increased tension.

Q ‘Ayub Khan’s agricultural reforms were more successful than any other of his domestic policies
between 1958 and 1969’. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer. [14]
(N2007/P1/4c)
Examiner Comments: In their responses to part (c) on Ayub Khan’s domestic policies an-
swers were not substantive. Most candidates were able to describe his domestic reforms but
marks tended to be limited to level 2 with a maximum of six. Again it has to be repeated that
in order to access the higher marks in levels 3 and 4, candidates were required to explain and
make comments on how successful such attempts were rather than merely describe them.
Once again this question highlights the need of Centres and their candidates to focus more
clearly on explanation rather than description.
Marking Scheme: Explains at least two factors. Agricultural reforms to be explained for
maximum marks. Also produces a judgement or evaluation.
Land was redistributed to farmers with medium sized farms and agriculture was revitalised
to such an extent that crop outputs were at record levels. However there were other factors
which were important aspects of his domestic policies. In 1962 an oil refinery was established
in Karachi and a Mineral Development Corporation was set up for the exploration of mineral
deposits. An Export Bonus Scheme was set up offering incentives to industrialists who in-
creased exports. National growth rate rose more than 7% and the economy grew three times
faster than any other South East Asian country. However the new wealth was concentrated
in the hands of a few and the general population didn’t benefit. As a result of these policies
economic growth rose sharply. In 1959 Basic Democracies were introduced which was a 4

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tier structure of government allowing elections at various levels, The success of these councils
which were set up was such that martial law was lifted.

Q Explain why Ayub Khan called the years 1958 to 1969 the ‘Decade of Progress’. [7] (J2008/P1/4b)
Examiner Comments: In part (b), candidates had to explain why Ayub Khan called 1958-69
the ‘Decade of Progress’. Many dealt with this question appropriately and achieved Level 3.
Marking Scheme: Explains reasons.
Medical facilities were improved and attempts were made to control the population through a
family planning programme. Economic growth was enabled through industrial developments
funded by loans from the West. Agricultural reform meant an increase in agricultural produc-
tion. He also tried to deflect increased criticism of his government by highlighting the reforms
which in the main only benefited the wealthy.

Q Why was Martial Law declared in 1958? [7] (N2009/P1/4b)

Examiner Comments: In part (b) candidates had to explain why Martial Law was declared
in 1958. For many candidates this was a difficult question and one that attracted description
rather than explanation. Thus most answers tended to be Level 2 ones with few reaching Level
3.
Marking Scheme: Explains reasons.
There were a number of Prime Ministers between 1956 and 1958 and it reached a stage when
Ayub Khan achieved that status that he felt the army should take control until stability had been
restored and questions answered. East Pakistan’s politicians wanted more say in the running
of the central government which increased tension.

Q Why did General Ayub Khan declare Martial Law in 1958? [7] (Specimen 2010/P1/5b)
Marking Scheme: Explains reasons.
There were a number of Prime Ministers between 1956 and 1958 and it reached a stage when
Ayub Khan achieved that status that he felt the army should take control until stability had been
restored and questions answered. East Pakistan’s politicians wanted more say in the running
of the central government which increased tension.

Q Why were the years 1958 to 1969 called the ‘Decade of Progress’? [7] (J2010/P1/5b)
Examiner Comments: In part (b), many candidates scored well on the reasons why the
Decade of Progress was so named. There were some genuine attempts to answer the question
as set and candidates detailed such reasons as the agricultural, industrial and social measures
of Ayub Khan as reasons for the so- naming of this period of time. As a result, many candidates
scored a mark within Level 3.
Marking Scheme: Explains reasons.
Medical facilities were improved and attempts were made to control the population through a
family planning programme. Economic growth was enabled through industrial developments
funded by loans from the West. Agricultural reform meant an increase in agricultural produc-
tion. Ayub Khan also tried to deflect increased criticism of his government by highlighting the
reforms which in the main only benefited the wealthy.

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Q Source: Ayub Khan seized power because he had no faith in the democratic parliamentary
process, but he wanted to show that he had the support of the people. He felt it important that
all national decisions were made by the president but believed in controlled democracy. On
the first anniversary of his takeover he introduced the Basic Democracies.
What were the Basic Democracies? [4] (N2011/P1/4a)
Examiner Comments: Those candidates who did answer the question tended to score 1 or
2 marks for the part (a) short answer question on the Basic Democracies.
Marking Scheme: Candidates might refer to:
1959, local committees named Basic Democrats, 80000, no political parties to take place in the
elections held Dec 59 to Jan 60, newly elected BDs able to vote in referendum as to whether
he should remain President, 95% voted yes.

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