Iskander Mirza - Legacy

Legacy

Iskander Ali Mirza is often criticized for introducing military martial law. Historians noted that Mirza held that Pakistanis "widely lacked the parliamentary spirit and because of the lack of training in the field of democracy and the low literacy rate amongst the masses, democratic institutions cannot flourish in Pakistan". Mirza wanted to have more "control in democracy in Pakistan", believing that the Judicial authorities should be given the same powers which they used to enjoy during the British Indian Empire.

Mizra's political ideology reflected secularism, and an image of internationalism, strongly advocating the religious separation in state matters. Mirza had never had a high opinion of politicians, believing that politicians should have the right to make policy but that they should not interfere in the administration. Historians also asserted that Mirza's role as the head of state led him to play an active part in power politics, building an image of being a kingmaker in the country's politics. Mirza took full advantage of the weakness of politicians and played them against each other, first offsetting the influence of the Muslim League by creating the Republican Party.

During his short span of four years as the head of state, four Prime Ministers were changed, three of them were his appointees, while the only popularly elected Bengali prime minister was dismissed. Iskander Mirza is thus widely held responsible for the instability that brought the active role of Pakistan Armed Forces in politics. Despite this criticism, Mirza remained widely respected; Mirza was also given a state honor by then-Prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who called him the "greatest Bengali leader" of Pakistan.