The period of first five year Plan was:

The period of first five year Plan was: Options: (a) 1955–60 (b) 1956–61 (c) 1957–62 (d) 1958–63 ✅ Correct Option: (b) 1956–61 Explanation (200+ words) Pakistan's First Five-Year Plan (1956–61) was the earliest comprehensive national development strategy after independence. Although planning work started as early as 1948, political instability and administrative crisis delayed implementation. Eventually, the plan formally began in 1956 and continued until 1961. Its aim was to strengthen the newly independent state's economic, social, and educational foundations. Education was seen as a tool for national progress, social cohesion, and modernization. Therefore, a major portion of the plan focused on improving literacy, expanding primary schools, teacher training, and curriculum development. The plan placed special emphasis on primary education, especially in rural areas, because most of Pakistan’s population lived in villages and had very limited access to schooling. The government realized that without improving basic education, economic growth and nation-building would remain weak. Despite strong goals, political instability, financial shortages, and lack of trained teachers prevented full implementation. This is why the education sector could achieve only partial results by the end of the plan. Still, the First Five-Year Plan laid the groundwork for future educational planning and highlighted that national development cannot take place without investment in human resources, especially through education. 10 PPSC-Relevant Facts 1. First Five-Year Plan officially operated 1956–61. 2. Focus areas: agriculture, industry, and education. 3. Education received around 4% of total development allocation. 4. Emphasis on primary education expansion. 5. Target of new schools: 4000. 6. Achievement: 2400 schools established. 7. Adult literacy programs were also introduced. 8. Financial constraints caused failure to achieve all targets. 9. Political changes (dismissal of assemblies) affected implementation. 10. First plan inspired Pakistan to adopt long-term development planning culture.