Political history of Pakistan
Formative phase 1947 to1999
1. Independence and Early Challenges (1947–1951)
• 14 August 1947: Pakistan gains independence from British rule; Muhammad Ali
Jinnah becomes Governor-General.
• Partition Issues: Communal violence, refugee crisis, division of assets with India.
• Death of Jinnah (1948): Led to leadership vacuum and instability.
• Liaquat Ali Khan (PM 1947–1951):
o Introduced Objectives Resolution (1949) – foundation for Islamic character
of constitution.
o Assassinated in 1951, causing political instability.
2. Political Instability and Constitution-Making (1951–1958)
• Frequent changes in Prime Minister.s: From 1951–1958, Pakistan had 7 PMs.
• Bureaucratic Dominance: Civil bureaucracy (e.g., Ghulam Muhammad, Iskander
Mirza) became powerful.
• One Unit Scheme (1955): West Pakistan merged into one province to
counterbalance East Pakistan.
• First Constitution (1956):
o Pakistan became an Islamic Republic.
o Parliamentary system introduced.
• Martial Law Imposed (1958):
o President Iskander Mirza abrogated the constitution and declared martial
law.
o General Ayub Khan took over power and later ousted Iskander Mirza.
3. Ayub Khan’s Era (1958–1969)
• Military Rule Consolidated:
o New Constitution in 1962: Presidential system, centralized power.
• Economic Growth: Industrialization and Green Revolution, but benefits were
uneven.
• Political Suppression:
Banned political parties initially, then controlled democracy.
• Fatima Jinnah vs. Ayub (1965): Presidential election, allegations of rigging.
• 1965 War with India: No clear winner; led to disillusionment with Ayub.
• Public Protests and Resignation (1969): Ayub handed over power to General Yahya
Khan.
4. Yahya Khan’s Rule and Fall of East Pakistan (1969–1971)
• Martial Law Restored.
• Legal Framework Order (1970): Allowed for elections.
• General Elections 1970:
o Awami League (East Pakistan) won majority.
o Power not transferred, leading to civil war.
• Military Crackdown (Operation Searchlight) in East Pakistan.
• India-Pakistan War (1971):
o Resulted in creation of Bangladesh.
• Yahya Resigned (1971); Zulfikar Ali Bhutto took over.
5. Bhutto Era (1971–1977)
• Civilian Rule Restored:
o Bhutto as President (1971–73), then Prime Minister (1973–77).
• 1973 Constitution:
o Parliamentary system reinstated.
o Islam recognized as state religion.
• Economic Reforms:
o Nationalization of industries and banks.
• Authoritarian Tendencies:
o Suppression of opposition, media restrictions.
• 1977 Elections and Protests:
o Allegations of rigging by opposition (PNA).
o Mass protests led to another military coup.
6. Zia-ul-Haq’s Martial Law and Islamization (1977–1988)
• Military Coup (5 July 1977): General Zia ousted Bhutto.
• Martial Law Imposed.
• Bhutto’s Trial and Execution (1979): Controversial death sentence.
• Islamization Policy:
o Hudood Ordinances, Zakat & Ushr, prayer timings enforced.
o Shariah law emphasis; use of religion for political legitimacy.
• 1984 Referendum: Zia extended his rule.
• Non-Party Elections (1985):
o Muhammad Khan Junejo became PM.
• Lifting of Martial Law (1985): Constitution revived with amendments (8th
Amendment).
• Dismissal of Junejo (1988): Zia dissolved government.
• Zia’s Death (17 August 1988): Plane crash ended his rule, leading to democratic
transition.
7. Transition to Democracy (1988–1990)
Death of General Zia-ul-Haq (17 August 1988) in a plane crash.
Ghulam Ishaq Khan became Acting President.
General Elections 1988:
Held in November 1988.Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won majority.
Benazir Bhutto became the first woman Prime Minister of a Muslim country.
Challenges:
Civil-military tensions.
Strained relations with President Ghulam Ishaq Khan.
Accusations of corruption and mismanagement.
Government Dismissed (1990):
President used Article 58(2)(b) to dismiss Benazir’s government.
8.Nawaz Sharif’s First Term (1990–1993)
General Elections 1990:
Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI), led by Nawaz Sharif, won.
Became Prime Minister.
Economic Reforms:
Privatization of state-owned enterprises.Encouragement of free-market economy.
Power Struggle:
Tensions between Nawaz Sharif and President Ghulam Ishaq Khan.
Institutional Crisis (1993):Military intervened to mediate.
Both Ghulam Ishaq Khan and Nawaz Sharif resigned.
9. Benazir Bhutto’s Second Term (1993–1996)
General Elections 1993:PPP again formed government.
Benazir Bhutto became PM.Farooq Leghari elected President (PPP-backed).
Governance Challenges:
Allegations of corruption and law & order breakdown.
Conflict with judiciary and military establishment.Dismissal (1996):
President Farooq Leghari dismissed her government using Article 58(2)(b).
10. Nawaz Sharif’s Second Term (1997–1999)
General Elections 1997:Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N won a two-thirds majority.Major
Developments:13th Amendment: Removed Article 58(2)(b), reducing President's power to
dissolve assemblies.
Confrontation with Judiciary: Attack on Supreme Court (1997).
Dismissal of Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah.
Nuclear Tests (May 1998):
Response to Indian nuclear tests.Pakistan became a declared nuclear power.
Kargil Conflict (1999):
Undertaken by military without full civilian approval.International pressure on Pakistan.
Military Coup (12 October 1999):
General Pervez Musharraf overthrew Nawaz Sharif’s government.Marked end of civilian rule
and beginning of another military era.
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Conclusion:
The formative phase of Pakistan’s political history, spanning from 1947 to 1999, is marked
by persistent instability, military dominance, and struggles for democratic
continuity. Despite gaining independence with high hopes and strong leadership under
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan’s journey was quickly marred by institutional weakness
and political turmoil.
Key themes throughout this period include:
• Lack of democratic continuity: Frequent changes in governments, both elected
and unelected, led to weak political institutions.
• Military intervention: Three direct military coups (1958, 1977, 1999) disrupted
democratic development and entrenched the army's role in politics.
• Constitutional instability: Pakistan had three constitutions (1956, 1962, 1973),
all impacted or suspended by military rulers.
• East Pakistan crisis: The inability to manage ethnic and regional diversity
resulted in the secession of East Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh in
1971.
• Civil-military imbalance: Elected governments were often overpowered or
dismissed by the military or the presidency using constitutional loopholes like
Article 58(2)(b).
• Authoritarianism and Islamization: Especially under military regimes, religion
was used for political legitimacy, affecting social and legal structures.
• Democratic failures (1988–1999): Although elections resumed, the cycle of
dismissals, corruption, and weak governance prevented democratic
consolidation.
Overall, the period from 1947 to 1999 reflects a nation struggling to define its identity and
governance model, often swaying between democratic aspirations and authoritarian
control. The legacy of these formative years continues to shape Pakistan's political
landscape.
