Long Question Answer based on BS PAK STD 9374 CHAP 7TOPIC 7.9 ENGLISH DOCUMENT.docx
- 1. Long Question Answer based on BS.Pakistan Studies (9374) Uni# 07-CONSTITUTIONAL AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN PAKISTAN- II (1971 TO ONWARDS) 7.9# JOURNEY OF DEMOCRACY FROM 1977 TO 1999
- 2. Due to the death of Zia, Ghulam Ishaq Khan became the president of Pakistan on 17 August 1988 and he served the nation till 18 July 1993. Ghulam Ishaq Khan announced the general elections within 90 days and on 16 November 1988, elections were held in Pakistan. The previous elections were held on party-less basis but Benazir Bhutto went to the Supreme Court of Pakistan and asked for the party- based elections during the last days of Zia. The Supreme Court accepted constitutional petition of Benazir declaring that non-party elections in Pakistan was a violation of freedom of association which is the fundamental right of the citizens. At last the government accepted the demand of party based elections on 16 September 1988. After two months the elections held on 16 November 1988. There were 207 seats for the National Assembly of Pakistan. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), led by Benazir Bhutto won 94 seats out of 207 in the National Assembly.
- 3. On the other hand, In oppose to her, Nawaz Sharif of Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) won 56 seats of the National Assembly. In other parties, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl-ur-Rehman) remained on third position achieving only seven seats. The remaining seats were divided among other parties including 40 seats of independent candidates. Benazir Bhutto became the eleventh Prime Minister of Pakistan. She was the first female of the Muslim World who became the head of government. On the other hand, Nawaz Sharif became the Leader of Opposition. Benazir took the oath on 2 December 1988 as the Prime Minister of Pakistan and a new democratic era started in the country. She could serve the nation for one year, eight months and four days only. Pakistan People’s Party had won the elections but with narrow margin. Benazir was constrained to form her government with the association of various other parties including independent candidates. On 2 December 1988 Benazir Bhutto formed her government with alliance of ‘Muttahida Qaumi Movement’ (MQM).
- 4. Benazir wanted to remove the 8th constitutional amendment to regain her power as Prime Minister. The PPP government got involved in power struggle with Nawaz in the provincial assembly. Moreover, the Party developed differences with its coalition partners. Consequently, Pakistan People’s Party suffered alienation and in October 1989, MQM withdrew from the government. Benazir Bhutto took the charge of Prime Minister during difficult time. It was the first period of Benazir Bhutto in the government. During this reign the foreign policycentered in the regions of Afghanistan, India, and the United States. Benazir wished to maintain good relations with neighboring countries including India. She also carried on the atomic programme which was initiated by her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. She acknowledged the 1990 as a year of space. It was the first time that Pakistani scientists launched and experienced the satellite in Earth’s orbit. Awards were given to those engineers and scientists who worked in this regard. The relations between
- 5. Benazir Bhutto and the president Ghulam Ishaq Khan could not remain cordial. It was due to a variety of issues such as the unemployment increased and labour class came on roads. The economy of the country ruined while government could not solve these problems. This situation developed a cold war between the President and the Prime Minister. After a long political deadlock, on 6 August 1990, President Ghulam Ishaq Khan used his power under the 8th constitutional amendment. The Pakistan Television had broken news in early morning that the president dismissed the Benazir’s government using 58 (2-B) declaring the emergency in the country. He charged government with nepotism, corruption and despotism. He called for new elections in the same year. He suspended the civilian courts and the fundamental rights in the state of emergency. The President announced that the National Assembly of Pakistan had lost the confidence of the people of Pakistan.
- 6. In the same night during a press conference,Benazir Bhutto declared his action ''illegal and unconstitutional.'' She claimed that she would win the next election because she had the public support. General Elections 1990 General elections of 1990 were held on 24 October 1990. There were 217 seats of the National Assembly. The elections showed surprising results and Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI), led by Muhammad Nawaz Sharif achieved 106 seats out of 217. Benazir took part in election forming People’s Democratic Alliance and won only 44 seats. Nawaz Sharif was appointed Prime Minister of Pakistan on 6th November 1990. After taking the charge of Prime Minster, Nawaz Sharif during his tenure, announced nuclear policy and he expressed his aim to continue the expansion of nuclear
- 7. technology to meet the energy needs of Pakistan. Moreover, he initiated to build road network for Pakistan. In this respect, the network of Motorways is highly appreciated by the public. During the first term, Nawaz Sharif started a motivated program of economic reforms. He adopted privatizing policy. He also continued the policy of Islamization in Pakistan. He served for the nation for two years, 5 months and 12 days only. His government was dismissed by the President Ghulam Ishaq Khan when he announced to dissolve the National Assembly of Pakistan on 18 April 1993. Balakh Sher Mazari was appointed as Caretaker Prime Minster of Pakistan who served from 18 April to 26 May 1993 only for 38 days. After the termination in 1993, Nawaz Sharif went to Supreme Court over the termination of National Assembly. The full bench of 11 Judges heard the case. It was the matter of concern that Ghulam Ishaq Khan dissolved the Assembly second time during his single tenure of five years. The Supreme Court issued a decision on 26 May 1993 that the presidential action
- 8. was unconstitutional because the president can only dissolve the assembly if there appeared a constitutional breakdown and the government's incompetence or corruption was irrelevant. Nawaz Sharif was restored on 26 May 1993 due to involvement of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. This was the memorable decision of the Supreme Court of the country. However, the cold war between the President and Prime Minister continued and finally on 18 July 1993 both of them resigned from their offices due to a deal brokered by the Chief of Army Staff. General Elections 1993 Mr. Wasim Sajjad the chairman of Senate of Pakistan took the charge of Acting President on 18 July 1993. He served the state for 3 months and 27 days till 14 November 1993. He executed the responsibilities of conduction of fair elections in the country. While from the same date Moeenuddin
- 9. Ahmad Qureshi carried on the responsibilities of caretaker Prime Minister. He served the public for 3 months and a day till the selection of new Prime Minister. General elections were held in Pakistan on 6 October 1993. According to the results, out of 207 seats of National Assembly; Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan People’s Party achieved 89 seats. On the other hand Nawaz Sharif, her opponent could win 73 seats under the banner of Pakistan Muslim League (N). In this way no political party could gain the decisive majority. On behalf of Pakistan People’s Party, Farooq Leghari became the president of Pakistan on 18 July 1993. Benazir Bhutto achieved the support of smaller parties and independent candidates. She was elected as Prime Minister on 19 October 1993 after gaining 121 votes in National Assembly while Nawaz Sharif could get 71 votes and he became leader of the opposition. Benazir Bhutto formed the government and the second tenure of her reign started.
- 10. It was the second opportunity for Benazir Bhutto but unfortunately she could not complete the tenure. The practice of extortion exceeded and corruption crossed the limits in the country. The chaos increased at national level and the situation of law and order deteriorated. Especially in the Sindh province, the sectarian issue surfaced. In the other province in NWFP (now K.P), the tribal leaders became the target of killers. Most of the corrupt people were involved in smuggling of weapons and drugs. According to the ‘New York Times’ In the last week of September about 40 religious minded army officers had been arrested with the allegation that they wanted to crush the government and planned to kill the President and the Prime Minster. Moreover, in September 1996, the real brother of Benazir Bhutto was killed by the Karachi Police in Clifton near his home in an alleged encounter. This incident was a clear indicator of chaos, prevailing in the
- 11. country. The incident was heart breaking news for Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Later on, she declared that the murder of his brother was a conspiracy to bring down her government. President Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari was also blamed to be involved in the murder of Murtaza. This increased the trust deficit between the President and the Prime Minister. Moreover, the government lost its control in Sindh province. Her Husband Mr. Asif Ali Zardari was also blamed to be involved in the killing of her brother Murtaza Bhutto. On the other hand, the corruption in Pakistan was on its rise as the capital amount about 40 to 45 million dollars transferred from Pakistan to foreign countries on weekly basis. Asif Ali Zardari was also blamed to be involved in the killing of a Sindh High Court Judge Justice Nizam. In such situation, the President decided to use his constitutional powers. He dismissed the government of his own party and dissolved the assemblies on 4 November 1996. According to
- 12. President Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari it was very difficult to compromise on Pakistan’s national interest. He preferred the national interests over loyalty to his party. General Elections 1997 Malik Meraj Khalid was appointed as caretaker Prime Minter on 5 November 1996. He worked till 17 February 1997. General elections were held in Pakistan on 3 February 1997 for National Assembly and four provincial assemblies. Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf took participation in these elections first time and could not win a single seat of the National Assembly. The actual competition was between the two major political Parties, Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League (N). Out of 207 seats of the National Assembly, PML (N) succeeded to get 137 seats. On the other hand,
- 13. PPP could only get 18 seats. Nawaz Sharif was elected as the Prime Minister of the country by the National Assembly receiving 177 votes. He took the oath on 18 February 1997. The second tenure of Nawaz Sharif was famous for the constitutional amendments. In this period the government initiated a series of amendments. The hallmarked of them was the termination the 8th Constitutional Amendment. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had to face a serious conflict with the Judiciary and the Executive both. The conflict ended with the resignation of President Farooq Ahmed Leghari on 2 December 1997. Mr. Wasim Sajjad remained the acting president for 29 days. Pakistan Muslim League (N) had the majority in National Assembly. It had majority in the provinces. The government nominated Mr. Muhammad Rafiq Tarar former Judge of the Supreme Court Pakistan as presidential candidate.
- 14. Muhammad Rafiq Tarar was appointed the President of Pakistan on 1 January 1998. He was associated to the Pakistan Muslim League (N).Nawaz Sharif government presented the Fifteenth Amendment on 28 August 1998. The Bill was related to implement the Shariah Law as supreme law in the country. It produced excited discussion in all over the country. The government had the powerful majority in National Assembly therefore the government succeeded to pass the bill from the lower house on 9 October 1998. However, the bill was not presented in the Senate within 90 days. The main reason behind it was that Nawaz Sharif Party lacked two-third majority in the Senate. There was a great conflict in Pakistan-India relations during this period. The government proclaimed state of emergency on 28 May 1998 as there was a threat of external aggression from India. All fundamental rights of the citizens of Pakistan were suspended. Moreover, the government froze all the foreign currency accounts in Pakistani banks. Pakistan had no way except testing its nuclear
- 15. technology in response to India’s nuclear tests. At the place of Chaghi in Balochistan, on the same day Pakistan succeeded to test its nuclear weapons. Now, Pakistan was on a par with India. Moreover, Pakistan was the first nuclear power in the Muslim World. The government celebrated 28th May as ‘Youm-e-Takbir’. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif became the hero of millions of Pakistanis and the Muslims all over the world.As usual, a chain of conflicts and disagreements appeared between the Military and Nawaz Sharif. On 7 October 1998, General Jahangir Karamat resigned from his office and General Pervaiz Musharraf was appointed as the Chief of Army Staff. After a few weeks the Kargil Operation was started at Kargil. The relations between Nawaz Sharif and the armed forces once again deteriorated. On 12 October 1999, General PervaizMusharraf was coming back from Sri Lanka to Pakistan after completing an official visit. Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif dismissed him from service and appointed
- 16. General Khawja Ziauddin Abbasi as new Chief of Army Staff. The government ordered not to allow the plane of Musharraf to land on Karachi Airport. Air traffic controllers were ordered to send the flight to Nawab Shah Airport in Sindh where the security team of the Prime Minister would be able to take General into custody. However, the senior Generals of Pakistan Army showed loyalty with General Musharraf.They refused to accept his termination and the appointment of General Ziauddin Abbasi.The troops of Pakistan army took control of Karachi airport to facilitate landing of General Musharraf in Karachi. The army men sieged the Prime Minister House and suspended the operation in all airports of the country. The military also shut down the Pakistan Television and Radio Pakistan for a few hours.