Pakistan came into existence as a dominion in the British Commonwealth on August 14, 1947, the result of the partition of India into two countries. The Pakistani nation consisted of two widely separated parts—West Pakistan, the present country of Pakistan; and East Pakistan, now the independent country of Bangladesh. The name “Pakistan" was coined from initials and syllables of the names of provinces.
Violence had accompanied partition, and fighting broke out at once in Kashmir, which was claimed by both India and Pakistan. There were also disagreements over water, as India controlled the headwaters of the rivers feeding Pakistan's irrigation canals. In 1949 a truce went into effect in Kashmir, with most of that region occupied by India.
Mohammed Ali Jinnah, whose support for an independent Muslim state had led to the founding of Pakistan and who was the first governor general, died in 1948. Liaquat Ali Khan, the prime minister, was assassinated in 1951. Pakistan was left without strong, experienced leadership, and a number of political factions maneuvered for control.
In 1956 Pakistan became a federal republic, but chose to remain within the Commonwealth of Nations. Iskander Mirza, who had been governor general, was appointed provisional president. He was supported by General Mohammed Ayub Khan, commander in chief of the Pakistan army.
Political dissension continued, and the country was threatened with economic collapse. In 1958 Mirza annulled the constitution, imposed martial law, and resigned the presidency in favor of Ayub Khan.
