Abstract :
Political ideology of Nawab of Kalabagh Malik Amir Muhammad Khan (1910-67) was based on
the perception of a highly educated but conservative feudal. He advocated status quo in almost all
the matters including foreign relations. He advised Ayub Khan not to switch over to China
because it would antagonise U.S.A. He was not so optimist about the solution of Kashmir issue.
His pragmatic approach favoured the peaceful method of negotiation instead of confrontation.
General perception portrays him as a typical landlord who was averse to education and freedom
of press. Evidences from history reveal that there is a partial truth in it. He liked a responsible
press which should not be left unbridled. Bengalis of East Pakistan made the bigger chunk of the
total population of Pakistan. He, as a non-Bengali of West Pakistan, was apprehensive of their
strength in numbers. Anti-One Unit politicians were secessionists in the eyes of Nawab so were
dealt severely. He treated his political rivals according to their strength and ambitions. He was
suspicious of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto because he (Bhutto) was too ambitious to be trusted. He
allegedly victimized Chaudhri Zahoor Elahi because Chaudhri had desired to replace him.
Mawlana A. Sattar Niazi, Habibullah Paracha and Pir of Makhad Sharif used to challenge his
supremacy in his native area so Nawab had to deal them harshly. It can be derived that his
political outlook reflected the mindset of a typical feudal lord.
Keyword :
Autocracy, Indo-Pak Relations, Presidential Elections of 1965, One Unit, Press and Publication Ordinance