ICP
Lecture # 11
History of Pakistan from 1988-1993
The Decade of Democracy
Democracy restored
- After the sudden death of Zia-ul Haq, Ghulam Ishaq Khan became the
president and announced elections
- PPP vs Islami Jamhoori Itehad or Islamic Democratic alliance(IJI)
- PPP election campaign based on restoration of democracy and Z.A Bhutto's
judicial murder
- IJI election campaign based on Zia's Islamization, Z.A. Bhutto's autocratic
rule and shaming Benazir Bhutto
- PPP won 94 seats in NA & IJI won 54 seats
- PPP won the majority seats, but not enough to form government. So, Benazir
Bhutto allied with MQM to form government
Progress in Benazir Bhutto's first term (1988-1990)
- Her first speech to the nation was full of promises of progress
- Readmission to the Commonwealth countries
- Restrictions on media and press were eased
- Establishment of women's police stations and women's development
programs
- Electricity was provided in rural areas
Challenges faced by Benazir's government (1988- 1990)
- End of U.S aid after return of Soviets from Afghanistan
- Suggested to make subcontinent a nuclear-free zone, which India rejected
- Clashes of muhajirs and Sindhis in Sindh became reason of friction between
MQM and PPP, which threatened her government
- No legislation was passed to revoke Zia's Hudood Ordinance or other issues
concerning women
- Benazir Bhutto felt threatened by military and intelligence agencies
- ISI chief kept insisting on military operation in India and Afghanistan
- Her unofficial role in Khalistan movement weakened her position
- Corruption charges on her and her family
Elections 1990
- On allegations of corruption and incompetence, Ghulam Ishaq Khan invoked
58 2(b), dissolved National Assembly and dismissed Benazir Bhutto
- PML backed by military and IJI vs PPP backed by Pakistan Democratic
Alliance (PDA)
- Nawaz Sharif campaigned on the promises of economic instability, Islamic
governance and anti-corruption measures
- PPP campaign on unfair dismissal
- IJI won 106 seats and PDA won 45 seats
- IJI formed government with alliance of JUI
Progress in Nawaz Sharif's first term (1990-1993)
- Nawaz Sharif became the youngest prime minister in Nov 1990
- His first address to the nation promised economic liberalization, privatization,
infrastructure development and industrialization
- He privatized banks, telecommunications and few industries
- Efforts were made to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
- Construction of motorway between M-2 Lahore and Islamabad was started
- Investment in power generation
- Vocational Training Centers were introduced
- Improved relations with U.S, China and Gulf States
- Yellow cab scheme
Challenges faced by Nawaz Sharif (1990-1993)
- Sharia Law bill was presented in National Assembly, but faced criticism from
both; left and right wing
- Islamic ruling against interests in governmental projects which affected Hub
Power Plant
- Industries and state banks were at the brink of collapse
- Corruption, nepotism, induction of more labour than necessary, and their
salaries became a challenge for Nawaz's government
- Kalashnikov Culture came with excessive violence and drugs
- The difference of opinion between PML and JUI on Gulf War led to the end of
coalition government
- Gulf War also brought resentment between Army Chief Aslam Baig and
Nawaz Sharif
Challenges faced by Nawaz Sharif (1990-1993)
- A clash rose between president Ishaq Khan and Nawaz Sharif on the appointment
of next army chief
- Much to Nawaz Sharif's dismay, General Asif Nawaz Janjua was appointed
- Benazir Bhutto came back to Pakistan and joined hands with Ghulam Ishaq to
dismiss government
- Benazir Bhutto led a long march to Islamabad to ensure Nawaz Sharif resignation
- The long march faced a massive crackdown and Benazir was forcefully taken to
Karachi
- After sudden demise of Asif Janjua, Ishaq Khan appointed Abdul Waheed Kakar
without taking any suggestion from PM
- Nawaz Sharif held a press conference against president. Next day, the president
dissolved National Assemblies and dismissed Nawaz Sharif
Elections 1993
- The decision to dismissal was challenged in Supreme Court, and Supreme Court
reinstated Nawaz Sharif
- Benazir, with alliance of other political parties called for another long march
- Reconciliation meetings between president, PM, opposition leader with army chief
as mediator started
- Nawaz Sharif agreed to resign if Ghulam Ishaq Khan resigns as well
- Both of them resigned and elections 1993 were announced
- PPP campaigned on promises of restoring democracy, improving governance,
and social welfare reforms.
- PML focused on economic reforms, infrastructure development, and reducing
corruption.
- PPP won 86 seats while PML won 72 seats
- Farooq Laghari became next president of the country
Reference Readings
- A Brief History of Pakistan by James Wynbrandt (pg 224-252)
- Pakistan: The Eye of Storm by Owen Bennett Jones (230- 238)
ICP
Lecture # 10
History of Pakistan from 1977-1988
Zia ul Haq coup
- 1977 elections and following unrest
- PNA, Nizam e Mustafa and growing demand for Islamization
- Zia ul Haq was appointed as chief of army staff by Z.A. Bhutto in 1976
- Massive unrest led to 3rd military takeover in July 1977
- Zia-ul-Haq suspended the constitution and dissolved assemblies
- Z.A. Bhutto was arrested
Domestic Policies
- Islamization: Hudood Ordinance. Laws on adultry and rape
- Introduction of Islamic banking. Zakat laws
- Ban on political parties
- Ban on media and excessive press restriction
- Z.A Bhutto was hanged
Foreign Relations
- Iranian Revolution also became a threat for Pakistan due to its capacity to
influence Shia in Pakistan
- Soviet Invasion in Afghanistan led to strong alliance between U.S, K.S.A and
Pakistan
- Pakistan became front line state in this war
- Pakistan recieved major military and economic aid to fight Russians
- Aid was given to Deobandi and Wahabi madaris to educate and brainwash
Taliban
- With military aid, weaponisation and drug addiction was introduced in
Pakistan
Foreign Relations
● With drugs and weapons, sectarian conflicts started in Pakistan
● Afghan mujahideen in Pakistan led to displacement of Pushtoon and Baluch
within Pakistan
● With arrival of displaced Pakistan in karachi, linguistic violence started as well
Fall of Zia-ul Haq
● Martial Law was lifted in 1986, and elections were held on non party basis
● Zia ul Haq established himself as President
● The Ojri Camp incident led to a rift between Prime Minister and Zia, and
Pakistan and U.S
● With martial law lifted, Benazir Bhutto came back to Pakistan to seek political
revenge of his father
● After a plane crash, Zia- ul Haq died
● After his sudden demise, Speaker National Assembly assumed powers as
acting President and announced elections in the November of following year
(1988)
● Political parties were restored and allowed to compaign for upcoming
elections
ICP
Lecture # 09
History of Pakistan from 1971-1977
Aftermath of war 1971
- After the loss of east Pakistan, relations between civil and military went sour
- Zulfikar Ali Bhutto became the president and first Civil Chief Martial Law
administrator of Pakistan
- He tasked chief justice of Supreme Court Hamood ur Rehman to determine
the cause of failure in the fall of Dhaka
- In 1972, Bhutto and Indira Gandhi signed Simla Agreement, after which India
released prisoners of war and both countries agreed to continue diplomatic
ties and move the troops to prewar positions
Economic Reforms
- Nationalization: Nationalization was intended to weaken the influence of 22
families over the economy and empower the state to manage resources for
public benefit
- Impact of Nationalization: corruption, lack of competition, mismanagement,
nepotism. It discouraged private investment and entrepreneurship.
- Land Reforms: Redistributed land to reduce the influence of feudal lords
- Labour and Social Welfare: Minimum wage was set for labour and workers
and their rights were put in place
Constitution of 1973
- Implemented on 14th August 1973
- Parliamentary system with a President as head of state and a Prime Minister
as head of government.
- Islamic provisions, including the declaration of Islam as the state religion.
- Clear delineation of powers between the federal and provincial governments.
- Bicameral parliamentary system with National Assembly and Senate
Amendments to the Constitution
- First (1974): Redefined border
- Second(1974): Declared ahmadis non-Muslims
- Fifth (1976): Restrictions on High courts
- Eighth(1978): Powers shifted from Prime Minister to President and a semi-
presidential system was put in place
- Ninth (1985): Sharia law. Not passed
Amendments to the Constitution
- Thirteenth (1997): Powers were taken from president. He could no longer
dissolve National Assembly
- Fourteenth (1998): Sharia law. Not passed
- Seventeenth (2003): Reversal of thirteenth amendment
- Eighteenth (2010): Removed the power of President of Pakistan to dissolve
the Parliament unilaterally. Gave more authority to the provinces. Province of
NWFP was renamed as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa(KPK)
Amendments to the Constitution
- Twentieth (2012): For free and fair elections
- Twenty first (2015): Military Courts were established for two years
- Twenty third (2017): Extended the tenure of military courts for two more
years
- Twenty Sixth (2024): Constitutional Benches were created in the Supreme
Court and High Courts, intended to handle specific types of cases
Foreign Policy
● Relations with Islamic countries: Held ‘Islamic Summit Conference’ in 1974
● With India: Peaceful relations after Simla Agreement
● Joined NAM (Non-Aligned Movement)
Bhutto's decreasing popularity
- He created Federal Security Force (FSF). His personal paramilitary police
force
- Unemployment, inflation, low income
- Protests and strikes
- Balochistan insurgency
- To appease, he convinced Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan to join Pakistan's nuclear
program and accelerated the program
1977 elections
- PPP vs Pakistan National Alliance (PNA)
- PNA was a coalition of nine political parties united against Bhutto's autocratic
regime
- PPP mandate: To continue its socialist and developmental policies, including
nationalization, land reforms, and industrial expansion
- PNA mandate: Islamic values, transparency, and opposition to Bhutto’s
alleged corruption and authoritarianism.
- PPP won the elections but was heavily criticised for rigging
Reference Readings
- A Brief History of Pakistan by James Wynbrandt (pg 201-213)
- Pakistan: A Modern History by Ian Talbot (pg 218-244)
