Name: Shamsher Ali

Roll no: 22L-6918

Assignment
Pakistan Studies
Decade of Democracy
Benazir’s First Government Era (1988-90)
Nawaz Sharif’s First Government Era (1990-93)
Benazir’s Second Government Era (1993-96)
Nawaz Sharif’s Second Government Era (1997-99)
 Decade of democracy
Benazir’s First Government Era (1988-90)

Introduction

Benazir Bhutto (21 June 1953 – 27 December 2007) was a Pakistani politician and
stateswoman. She was a Sindhi woman. She served as the 11th prime minister of
Pakistan from 1988 to 1990.

Main Theme

The Govt. of Benazir Bhutto adopted a ‘no-confrontation policy’ with India. When Rajiv
Ghandhi visited Pakistan to participate in the fourth SAARC Conference. Benazir Bhutto joined
hands for establishing good relations with him. Benazir Bhutto was the first woman Prime
Minister of a modern Muslim state. Although she inherited her father’s party, the PPP, she was
the beneficiary of dynastic politics and the emotional ties of a large section of the electorate to
her charismatic family has proven to be a mixed political blessing and has led it to victory, the
party won a very narrow plurality in the 1988 elections and was therefore forced to enter into a
coalition with the MQM and several other parties to form a government.

Initially on 2nd December Benazir Bhutto formed a coalition government with MQM. To
maintain her power and implement her programs, Benazir would have needed to maneuver
successfully between a powerful president and the military elite and to reach a political
accommodation with MQM and Nawaz Sharif. Instead, she pursued a course of confrontation,
including unsuccessful efforts to overthrow Nawaz in the provincial assembly.

Besides, the failure of the PPP to share power and spoils with its coalition partners caused further
alienation, including the withdrawal of the MQM from the government in October 1989. During
her first government, Benazir Bhutto’s foreign policy revolved around Afghanistan, India, and
the United States. On the Western front, Benazir Bhutto also authorized further aggressive
military operations in Afghanistan to topple the fragile communist regime and the Soviet
influence in the region. She also wanted friendly relation with India.
Conclusion

Benazir was the first woman Prime Minister in the Islamic world from 1988 to 1990. She took
over the country and managed the country’s condition magnificently. But President Ghulam
Ishaq Khan using the powers dismissed the Benazir Bhutto government on the charges of
corruption and dissolved the National Assembly on 6th August 1990. Her first government lasted
for about 20 months.

Nawaz Sharif’s First Government Era (1990-93)

Introduction

Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan Muslim League took the oath as Prime Minister of
the country in November 1990. He took over the country control from 1990 to 1993.The pros
and cons of his era will be discussed below.

Main Theme

The government brought many positive changes in its foreign policy. Peace was brought in
Afghanistan through negotiation with different Afghan leaders. Efforts were continued for
patching up among different groups. India was officially invited for resolving Kashmir issue, but
these negotiations were not successful. When extremists in India demolished Babri Mosque in
1992, National Assembly of Pakistan passed a condemnation resolution. The government of
Pakistan made its best efforts for establishing good relations with America and the rest of the
world. Pakistan adopted defensive policy at the American invasion of Iraq.

The government started national schemes like National Construction Program, Self-
Employment Scheme, Motorway Project and Yellow Cab Scheme for betterment of people
which proved to be quite successful. Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif government announced
Agricultural Policy for the betterment of the farmers in 1991. 10 crore rupees were allocated for
this policy.

A serious dispute was going on the water distribution of the river Indus among the four provinces
of Pakistan. Through the efforts of the government, an agreement was signed among the
provinces and the dispute of water was resolved forever. The government constituted
Privatization Commission in 1991. Official banks and financial institutions were reformed
accordingly. Banks in private sector were encouraged. Some banks and other institutions were
sold out through this Privatization Commission which created a positive impact on the national
economy. The government of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif established Baitul Maal in 1992
which provided financial help and aid for the poor.

Conclusion

Mian Muhammad Nawaz sharif took the oath as prime minister on 1990 . He also introduced
many plans for the betterment of the country during his era. But Nawaz Sharif resigned from his
seat due to intense differences between him and Ghulam Ishaq Khan’s Presidential decision.

Benazir’s Second Government Era (1993-96)

Introduction

Benazir Bhutto (21 June 1953 – 27 December 2007) was a Pakistani politician and
stateswoman. She was a Sindhi woman. She served as the 13th prime minister of
Pakistan from 1993 to 1996.

Main Theme

The government of Benazir Bhutto launched the eight five year plan which resulted in rapid
development and prosperity of the country. Benazir Bhutto set up Kisan Bank for providing
loans to farmers and launched the National Tractor Scheme. Social and health policies were
framed for women. During her era, women police stations and courts were set up for providing
legal facilities to this class.
During Benazir Bhutto’s second term, construction of Karachi Flyover Bridge and Lahore
Bypass was started. Mrs. Bhutto made successful visits to Iran and Turkey. She gained moral
support of these countries on the Kashmir issue. Many agreements of cooperation in different
fields were signed. Differences on different matters were developed between President Mr.
Farooq Ahmed Leghari and Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. He dismissed the government on
charges of corruption by using the powers of the constitution. Benazir Bhutto ruled over the
country for about 3 years this time.

Conclusion
Benazir ruled over the country two times. Second era started in 1993. She also introduced many
facilities to farmers and locals. But Farooq Ahmad Laghari dismissed her government on charges
of corruption. This time she ruled the country for about 3 years.
 Nawaz Sharif’s Second Government Era (1997-99)

Introduction

Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan Muslim League took the oath as Prime Minister of
the country on February 1997. He took over the country control from 1990 to 1993.The pros and
cons of his era will be discussed below.

Main Theme

During his Era, economic condition of the country was not improving, and the government had
to take loans from the IMF for its budget. Nawaz Sharif started a scheme called ‘Retire debt,
adorn the country’ and appealed to the nation to pay off the foreign loans. The nation welcomed
this scheme and about 17 billion rupees were collected till June 1999 in this head.

The government gave the right to vote to Pakistanis living abroad which developed their interest
towards Pakistan. During his era, federal Minister for Education announced the new educational
policy in 1998, which was aimed at opening many new academic institutions. The Lahore-
Islamabad Motorway, one of the longest motorways of South Asia, was a great achievement of
Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

It was planned in his first term but was completed in his second term. Mian Muhammad Nawaz
Sharif himself inaugurated the Motorway in 1998. The Nawaz government had shattered the
dreams of superiority of India in the atomic field by doing atomic blasts on 28th May 1998. This
made Pakistan the 7th atomic power of the world.

Conclusion

Mian Muhammad Nawaz started his second era in 1997.He took many important steps during his
Era. But The Plane Hijack Case was filed against Nawaz Sharif and his second era meet an end.
Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif ruled the country for almost 3 years this time

Musharraf’s Presidential Era (1999-2008)

Pervez Musharraf took oath as president of Pakistan but the moment to impeach Pervez
Musharaff made him resign from his office on August 18, 2008.