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Events January - Jan 1 Representative Ahmed Shah Patras Bukhari takes charge of responsibilities in UN, SC
- Jan 2 Lahore Ordinance Clothing Factory strike ends
- Jan 26 Visiting EP, PM Nazimuddin reasserts that Urdu alone will be national language
February - Feb 4 Sikander Ali Shah formally becomes 7th pir of Hurs, titled Pir of Pagara. Politicians take interest in this new gaddi
- 21 February - The first ethnic riots occur in East Pakistan against attempts to make Urdu the national language and lack of representation for Bengalis in central administration. One of the saddest incidents in the history of the young Pakistan occurred here in Dacca (now Dhaka) today as police opened fire on a procession of students who demonstrating against the January 26 statement of the Prime Minister. Eight students are reported dead.
Will this act of violence put an end to the language issue or immortalise it forever? March - 18 - Begum Jehanara Shanawaz, the first woman member of former All India Muslim League and a senior parliamentarian, becomes the first Asian woman to preside over a parliament session. She is the daughter of Sir Muhammad Shafi, veteran Muslim politician of the British period and a close associate of Allama Iqbal. Her husband Sir Shahnawaz also played an important role in the British India, while her daughter Nasim Akbar Khan (wife of Maj. General Akbar Khan), is also an activist and currently in jail for the Rawalpindi conspiracy.
The Bengali language debate - 22 - March. East Pakistan Assembly has passed resolution for making Bengali national language along with Urdu.
The issue of language had been a bone of contention between the two wings since the Quaid-i-Azam's first visit to Dacca in early 1948 when the founder declared in no uncertain words that Pakistan will have only a single national language, and that will be "Urdu, Urdu, and only Urdu!" While the East rejoices, a dominant section of the Western wing reacts strongly, considering it as a "cowardly" retreat of the federation against the outcry that followed the last month's massacre of students in the East Pakistan. - Mar 14 Constituent Assembly sessions (27 sittings)
April - Apr Pakistan s turn to preside over UN SC for 1 month
May - May 15: Indo-Pakistan conference held in Karachi to consider the implementation of the passport and visa system between the two countries
June - Jun 2nd Basic Principles Committee s report
Gul Bang, poetry anthology of Mir Gul Naseer, a pioneer work in Balochi literature, laments the exclusion of the Baluchi from mainstream life. July - July 19 - August 3. Pakistan hockey team loses semi-final to Holland. Stands 4th after losing 3rd position to England
August - 14 August - Pakistan celebrates 5 years of independence.
September - Sep Recently set up Karachi University starts classes in Philosophy at a makeshift campus near Civil Hospital under Prof. A.B. Haleem, VC, and Dr. M.M. Ahmad, Head of the Dept
October - October. Abdul Hafeez Kardar leads Pakistan Cricket team on tour to India for series of 5 test matches
November - 23 November - Basic Principles Committee (BPC) presents the second revised report to the Constituent Assembly. The report called for a parity of representation between East and West Pakistan in parliament elected on the basis of separate balloting for minorities.
Autumn Defense Secretary Iskander Mirza and C-in-C General Ayub Khan visit Ankara to hold a meeting with the US Under-Secretary for Defense. Nov 12-25 Constituent Assembly sessions (11 sittings) December - December 22, Lahore. Dast-e -Saba, the second anthology of the imprisoned poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz launched in a well-attended ceremony, the first for any Urdu book so far, at Argentina Hotel, Mall Rd.
URDU endangered? A strong reaction is emerging in the West wing to the East Bengal provincial assembly's decision to make Bengali second national language (along with Urdu), dubbing such language demands from Bengal as treason against Pakistan and a threat to the existence of Urdu. A section of journalists has also demanded removal of two non-native Urdu speakers from the editorship of English newspapers including Dawn. Monopoly power Pakistan adopts strict import tariffs giving a virtual monopoly to the developing manufacturing industry in its domestic market. These steps are desired to help create a class of industrial enterpreneurs. Five Year Food Plan The Government has responded to the food shortages in the country by modifying its development programs - a new Five-Year Food Plan has been devised. See also
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