332. Editorial Note
On October 27, General Ayub Khan assumed the office of President of Pakistan, following Mirza’s resignation. The Embassy reported this development to the Department of State in telegram 1029 from Karachi, October 28. (Department of State, Central Files, 790D.00/10–2858)
At the 384th meeting of the National Security Council on October 30, Allen Dulles discussed the political changes in Pakistan during his survey of significant world developments affecting U.S. security:
“Mr. Dulles stated that the take-over in Pakistan by the Chief of Staff, General Ayub, could be considered the logical result of the coup d’etat which had taken place earlier. Ayub’s assumption of complete power was likely to improve the situation generally in the country. The only real problem would be East Pakistan, which will not be very happy at the prospect of military rule from West Pakistan.” (Memorandum of discussion by Gleason, October 31; Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)