In 1951, Pakistan's Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated during a political rally, leading to Khawaja Nazimuddin becoming the second Prime Minister. Tensions in East Pakistan escalated in 1952, culminating in the police firing on students demanding equal status for the Bengali language. This situation was resolved when Nazimuddin issued a waiver recognizing Bengali alongside Urdu, a decision later formalized in the 1956 constitution.
In 1953, anti-Ahmadiyya riots, incited by religious parties, resulted in numerous deaths.[10] The government's response to these riots marked the first instance of martial law in Pakistan, beginning a trend of military involvement in politics.[11] The same year, the One Unit Program was introduced, reorganizing Pakistan's administrative divisions.[12] The 1954 elections reflected ideological differences between East and West Pakistan, with a communist influence in the East and a pro-American stance in the West.
In 1956, Pakistan was declared an Islamic republic, with Huseyn Suhrawardy becoming Prime Minister and Iskander Mirza as the first President. Suhrawardy's tenure was marked by efforts to balance foreign relations with the Soviet Union, the United States, and China, and the initiation of a military and nuclear program.[13] Suhrawardy's initiatives resulted in the establishment of a training program for the Pakistani armed forces by the United States, which faced considerable resistance in East Pakistan. In response, his political party in the East Pakistan Parliament threatened to secede from Pakistan.
Mirza's presidency saw repressive measures against communists and the Awami League in East Pakistan, exacerbating regional tensions. The centralization of the economy and political differences led to friction between the leaders of East and West Pakistan. The implementation of the One Unit Program and the centralization of the national economy following the Soviet model encountered significant opposition and resistance in West Pakistan. Amidst growing unpopularity and political pressure, President Mirza faced challenges, including public support for the Muslim League in West Pakistan, leading to a volatile political climate by 1958.