Who was the first Governor General of Pakistan? When did he take oath, and who administered it? Who succeeded him? Questions like these appear in almost every Pakistan Studies and General Knowledge paper, from PPSC and FPSC to NTS, PTS, CSS and PMS. This guide covers the facts examiners ask about, followed by solved MCQs you can download as a free PDF.
Quick Facts: Quaid-e-Azam as First Governor General
| Detail | Answer |
|---|---|
| Full name | Muhammad Ali Jinnah |
| Title | Quaid-e-Azam (Great Leader) |
| Position | First Governor General of Pakistan |
| Oath date | 14 August 1947 |
| Place of oath | Karachi |
| Oath administered by | Justice Mian Abdul Rashid (Chief Justice, Lahore High Court) |
| First Prime Minister | Liaquat Ali Khan |
| Capital | Karachi |
| Legislature | Constituent Assembly |
| Died | 11 September 1948, Karachi |
| Successor | Khawaja Nazimuddin |
| Buried at | Mazar-e-Quaid, Karachi |
Who Was Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah?
Muhammad Ali Jinnah was born on 25 December 1876 in Karachi. He trained as a barrister in London and became one of the most successful lawyers in British India. Quaid-e-Azam started in the Indian National Congress but later joined the All-India Muslim League and became its president. He led the movement for a separate Muslim homeland, which succeeded on 14 August 1947. Pakistanis call him Quaid-e-Azam (“Great Leader”) and Baba-e-Qaum (“Father of the Nation”).
How Did Jinnah Become Governor General?
Pakistan was created under the Indian Independence Act 1947, which received Royal Assent on 18 July 1947. It followed the 3 June Plan, which proposed the partition of British India.
Under this Act, both India and Pakistan became Dominions within the British Commonwealth. A Dominion had a Governor General as head of state, representing the Crown. Lord Mountbatten wanted to serve as common Governor General of both countries, but Jinnah rejected the idea. He chose to hold the post himself.
Jinnah was also elected President of the Constituent Assembly on 11 August 1947. This made him the most powerful figure in the new state, because he led both the executive and the law-making body.
Oath-Taking Ceremony in Karachi
Jinnah took the oath as Governor General in Karachi on 14 August 1947. Justice Mian Abdul Rashid, Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, administered it. Karachi was the first capital of Pakistan and remained so until the capital moved to Islamabad.
This is a favourite exam topic, because candidates often mix up the date of the oath (14 August) with the date of independence celebrations in India (15 August).
The Famous 11 August 1947 Speech
On 11 August 1947, Jinnah addressed the Constituent Assembly in Karachi. This speech is quoted often in discussions about Pakistan’s constitutional ideals. He said that citizens would be free to worship in their temples, mosques or any other place of worship, and that religion would not decide whether someone was a citizen of the state. He also stressed law and order, an end to bribery and corruption, and equal rights for all citizens.
Constitutional Framework During His Tenure
Pakistan did not have its own constitution at independence. It worked under the Government of India Act 1935, adapted for Pakistan, along with the Indian Independence Act 1947. The Constituent Assembly was given the job of framing the first constitution. The country’s first constitution came much later, in 1956, long after Jinnah’s death.
Major Challenges Jinnah Faced
Pakistan began with very few resources. The main problems were:
- Refugee crisis: Partition forced millions of people to migrate, and the new state had to house and feed them. A Ministry of Refugees and Rehabilitation was set up for this.
- Administrative shortage: Pakistan lacked trained officials, offices, files and furniture. Government work started in a tough environment.
- Financial difficulties: The country had very little cash, and its share of assets was delayed.
- Kashmir dispute: Conflict over Kashmir began in 1947 and affected relations with India.
- Nation-building: Jinnah spent much of his time on unity, discipline and honest government.
Important Speeches and Visits as Governor General
State Bank of Pakistan (1 July 1948): Jinnah inaugurated the State Bank in Karachi. He urged the country to develop a banking system suited to Pakistan’s economic needs and based on fair, just principles.
Dhaka visit (March 1948): Jinnah visited East Pakistan. At the University of Dhaka convocation, he declared that Urdu should be the state language of Pakistan. This statement led to a lot of debate and later contributed to the language movement.
Staff College Quetta (June 1948): He addressed army officers on their duty to the state and the Constitution.
Message to civil servants: He asked officials to serve the people as public servants, not as rulers, and to avoid corruption and favouritism.
Motto: Jinnah’s guiding principle for the nation was Unity, Faith, Discipline.
Death of Quaid-e-Azam
Jinnah’s health was failing through 1948, and he was suffering from serious illness. He stayed in Ziarat, Balochistan, for rest and was then brought to Karachi, where he died on 11 September 1948. He had served as Governor General for about 13 months. Quaid-e-Azam was buried at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi, one of the best-known landmarks of the city. Pakistan marks 11 September as his death anniversary.
Governor Generals of Pakistan List
| No. | Name | Period |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muhammad Ali Jinnah | 1947–1948 |
| 2 | Khawaja Nazimuddin | 1948–1951 |
| 3 | Malik Ghulam Muhammad | 1951–1955 |
| 4 | Iskander Mirza | 1955–1956 |
Pakistan became an Islamic Republic on 23 March 1956, and the office of Governor General was abolished. Iskander Mirza became the first President.
Important Points to Remember for Exams
- Jinnah was the first Governor General and President of the Constituent Assembly
- Oath: 14 August 1947, Karachi, by Justice Mian Abdul Rashid
- First Prime Minister: Liaquat Ali Khan
- Pakistan was a Dominion, not a republic, until 1956
- Interim law: Government of India Act 1935
- Died: 11 September 1948; successor: Khawaja Nazimuddin
- State Bank inaugurated: 1 July 1948
- Urdu declared as state language in Dhaka, 1948
- Motto: Unity, Faith, Discipline
10 Sample MCQs
1. Who was the first Governor General of Pakistan?
A. Liaquat Ali Khan B. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah C. Khawaja Nazimuddin D. Iskander Mirza
Answer: B
2. Where did Jinnah take oath as Governor General?
A. Lahore B. Karachi C. Dhaka D. Islamabad
Answer: B
3. Who administered the oath to Jinnah?
A. Justice Munir B. Justice Mian Abdul Rashid C. Sir Zafrulla Khan D. Lord Mountbatten
Answer: B
4. Who was the first Prime Minister of Pakistan?
A. Liaquat Ali Khan B. Nazimuddin C. Chundrigar D. Ghulam Muhammad
Answer: A
5. Who succeeded Jinnah as Governor General?
A. Ghulam Muhammad B. Khawaja Nazimuddin C. Iskander Mirza D. Liaquat Ali Khan
Answer: B
6. Which body acted as Pakistan’s legislature in 1947?
A. Senate B. National Assembly C. Constituent Assembly D. Provincial Assembly
Answer: C
7. On which date did the Indian Independence Act receive Royal Assent?
A. 3 June 1947 B. 18 July 1947 C. 14 August 1947 D. 15 August 1947
Answer: B
8. When was the State Bank of Pakistan inaugurated?
A. 14 August 1947 B. 1 July 1948 C. 11 September 1948 D. 23 March 1956
Answer: B
9. Which language did Jinnah declare the state language in Dhaka in 1948?
A. Bengali B. Urdu C. Punjabi D. Persian
Answer: B
10. What was Jinnah’s motto for the nation?
A. Faith, Unity, Discipline B. Unity, Faith, Discipline C. Peace, Unity, Faith D. Work, Faith, Honour
Answer: B
Download the full 50 MCQs with answer key as a free PDF using the button below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who was the first Governor General of Pakistan?
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was the first Governor General of Pakistan.
When did Jinnah become Governor General?
He took oath on 14 August 1947 in Karachi.
Who gave Jinnah the oath of office?
Justice Mian Abdul Rashid, Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court.
How long was Jinnah Governor General?
About 13 months, from August 1947 until his death on 11 September 1948.
Who became Governor General after Jinnah?
Khawaja Nazimuddin, who served from 1948 to 1951.
What was the capital of Pakistan under Jinnah?
Karachi.
Why did Pakistan have a Governor General?
Because it began as a Dominion within the Commonwealth, and a Dominion needed a representative of the Crown as head of state. The post ended when Pakistan became a republic in 1956.
Are these MCQs useful for PPSC, FPSC, NTS and CSS?
Yes. Quaid-e-Azam and Pakistan Movement questions are a regular part of Pakistan Studies and General Knowledge papers in all of these tests.
Conclusion
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s term as first Governor General lasted only 13 months, but it set the foundation of the state. Learn the key dates (14 August 1947 and 11 September 1948), the names (Justice Mian Abdul Rashid, Liaquat Ali Khan, Khawaja Nazimuddin) and the main speeches, and you can answer almost any question on this topic.
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