Friend in Trouble

In Washington last week, the U.S. Government showered $105 million in economic aid and $50 million in military aid on Pakistan's likable Prime Minister Mohammed Ali. In him the U.S. recognized a friend; in his country the U.S. recognized an Asian nation steadfast in its resistance to Communism. Unfortunately, just at the climactic moment, Ali had to cut short his trip and hurry home. In Karachi 70 hours later, Mohammed Ali was all but stripped of power.

"The Governor General has with deep regret come to the conclusion," read the official Pakistan communique, "that the constitutional machinery has broken down . . . The Constituent Assembly has lost the confidence of the people and can no longer function . . . Elections will be held as early as possible." Meanwhile, Ali would remain in office with a "reconstituted" Cabinet, but real power would reside with the Governor General, a financial wizard of 59 named Ghulam Mohammad.

Ghulam Mohammad is officially the Pakistani representative of the British Crown (Pakistan remains within the British Commonwealth) ; since Pakistan in its seven years has yet to get itself a Constitution or hold a national election, it is hard to determine where power officially resides. In practice it remains in the hands of a small, powerful group of Moslem leaders who control the tough 250,000-man army, run the everyday life of Pakistan and are chiefly responsible for the nation's stability. Governor General Ghulam Mohammad is one of them. In April 1953 Ghulam Mohammad casually dismissed a roly-poly Premier named Nazi-muddin for incompetence and appointed the little-known Mohammed Ali in his stead. Ali had been a highly successful Ambassador to the U.S. but had no political strength of his own. Progressive-minded, he opposed those who wanted Pakistan to become a rigidly theocratic state. Ghulam Mohammad and Ali together negotiated the U.S.-Pakistan alliance.

Before heading for the U.S. this month, however, Ali put through an amendment to Pakistan law that would specifically forbid the Governor General from firing

Prime Ministers. Last week, with Ali away, Ghulam Mohammad struck back: he withdrew an order that disqualified four of Ali's most dangerous rivals from holding public office. Several Moslem League leaders, including two members of Ali's Cabinet, chose this moment to gang up on Ali. Ali flew home in a hurry. From Karachi airport Ali moved directly into conference with Ghulam Mohammad. "Reform your Cabinet," ordered Ghulam Mohammad, and Ali had to comply. Until the elections, which would show the U.S. which way its new ally was heading, the Pakistani to watch would be Governor General Ghulam Mohammad.

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