Every republic has a first president, and Pakistan’s was Iskander Mirza — a Sandhurst-trained soldier turned administrator who took office on 23 March 1956, the day Pakistan’s first constitution came into force. His presidency lasted barely two and a half years and ended in the coup he himself triggered.
Quick answer: The first president of Pakistan was Iskander Mirza (23 March 1956 – 27 October 1958). Previously the last governor-general, he declared martial law on 7 October 1958 and was deposed by Ayub Khan twenty days later.
In this guide
Who Was Iskander Mirza
Born 13 November 1899 in Murshidabad, Bengal, Sahibzada Iskander Ali Mirza was the first Indian to graduate from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He served in the British Indian Army, rising to major-general, then moved into the political service: defence secretary of Pakistan at independence, governor of East Pakistan, federal interior minister, and governor-general from 7 August 1955. Few Pakistanis have held as many of the state’s top offices.
Becoming the First President
When the Constituent Assembly adopted Pakistan’s first constitution, the country ceased to be a dominion of the British Crown: the governor-general’s office was abolished and replaced with an elected presidency. On 23 March 1956 — now celebrated as Pakistan Day — the Assembly elected Mirza as the 1st president of Pakistan. He inherited a fragile parliamentary system with no party able to govern steadily.
Martial Law and Exile
On 7 October 1958, Mirza abrogated the very constitution that had made him president, declared martial law and appointed army chief Ayub Khan as chief martial law administrator. It was a catastrophic miscalculation: on 27 October 1958 Ayub forced Mirza to resign and put him on a plane to London. Mirza lived in exile until his death on 12 November 1969 and was buried in Tehran. His successor — the 2nd president, Ayub Khan — ruled for a decade. See also the governor-general of Pakistan guide for Mirza’s earlier office.
Mirza’s Legacy
Iskander Mirza is remembered as the president who killed the republic he was chosen to lead. By abrogating the 1956 Constitution after just two years, he set the precedent that the army could override civilian rule — a precedent Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf each followed. Yet his earlier career was distinguished: Pakistan’s first native defence secretary, a capable administrator, and the man who as interior minister oversaw the One Unit scheme. History remembers the ending more than the career.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Pakistan become a republic?
23 March 1956, when the first constitution came into force and the office of governor-general was replaced by the presidency. The date is celebrated as Pakistan Day (Yaum-e-Pakistan).
How long was Mirza president?
Two years and seven months — from 23 March 1956 to 27 October 1958, when Ayub Khan deposed him.
