[2] In the 1946 Indian provincial elections the Indian National Congress achieved a strong majority in North-West Frontier Province, largely due to the personality of Khudai Khidmatgar leader Abdul Ghaffar Khan, enabling them to form a government.

[3] Although Khan strongly opposed the partition of India,[4] a 1947 referendum regarding accession to Pakistan was held.

Khan boycotted the referendum,[5] which resulted in a large majority voting to join Pakistan.

Following Pakistani independence, the Muslim League called for Khan's government to be removed.

[6] In 1951 Qayyum announced the holding of provincial elections, which received negative reactions as most political leaders were in jail or exile.