Chaudhry Muhammad Ali (1955-1956)

Chaudhry Muhammad Ali (1905-1980) was a prominent Pakistani politician who served as the fourth Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1955 to 1956. He was born on July 15, 1905, in Jalandhar, Punjab (now in India).

Muhammad Ali had a distinguished career in the civil service under British rule and later became involved in politics. He joined the All India Muslim League and played an active role in the Pakistan movement. He served as a member of the Indian Civil Service and held various administrative positions in both British India and Pakistan.

In 1955, after the dismissal of Muhammad Ali Bogra as Prime Minister, Chaudhry Muhammad Ali was appointed as the new Prime Minister of Pakistan. His tenure was marked by significant political developments, including the promulgation of the first Constitution of Pakistan in 1956.

Under Muhammad Ali’s leadership, the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan worked on drafting and finalizing the constitution. However, his tenure was cut short due to political turmoil and disagreements over various constitutional issues. His government faced challenges in achieving consensus among different political factions and addressing the concerns of various provinces.

In October 1956, Chaudhry Muhammad Ali resigned as Prime Minister after the adoption of the Constitution. His resignation was part of a political agreement known as the “1956 Sindh-Punjab Formula,” which aimed to resolve political differences between the two provinces. The formula included a power-sharing arrangement between the two provinces, but it ultimately could not be implemented due to subsequent events.

After his resignation, Muhammad Ali remained active in politics and held various government and diplomatic positions. He served as the Ambassador to the United States and the United Kingdom, and later as the Governor of Punjab province.

Chaudhry Muhammad Ali passed away on December 2, 1980, in Islamabad, Pakistan. He is remembered for his contributions to Pakistan’s political landscape, particularly his role in the drafting and adoption of the country’s first constitution. His tenure as Prime Minister marked an important phase in Pakistan’s early history as it transitioned from a dominion to a republic.