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Benazir Bhutto
Benazir Bhutto
In 1988, following the dismissal of Prime Minister Junejo by General Zia and Zia's
death in a plane crash, elections were held in Pakistan. The Pakistan People's
Party (PPP), led by Benazir Bhutto, won these elections, making her the first
woman to become Prime Minister of an Islamic country. Benazir Bhutto was the
daughter of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was executed in 1979.
She endured years of political suppression, including house arrest and exile. Her
return to Pakistan in 1985 energized pro-democracy movements. After Zia's death,
she capitalized on public desire for democratic reforms and led the PPP to victory
in the 1988 elections.
Benazir Bhutto as Prime Minister (1988–1990)
Benazir Bhutto’s rise to power was welcomed by many, but her government faced
immediate challenges.
1. Political Opposition: Nawaz Sharif
The PPP had a majority in Sindh but lacked a majority in the National
Assembly. To form a government, Benazir needed support from other parties
and allied with the Muhajir Qaumi Movement (MQM).
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Opposition from Nawaz Sharif, backed by the military and intelligence
agencies, was persistent. Nawaz controlled Punjab's provincial government,
making governance difficult for Bhutto.
Being Zulfikar Bhutto's daughter made her popular among supporters, but she
also inherited his political enemies.
In October 1989, a No-Confidence Motion was introduced by the opposition
but was narrowly defeated. However, this weakened her government’s
standing.
2. Differences with President Ishaq Khan
Benazir struggled to work with President Ghulam Ishaq Khan. Their
relationship was strained over key appointments, as Ishaq Khan blocked
several of her decisions regarding military and judicial positions.
This power struggle created constant tension, undermining her authority and
hampering effective governance.
Policies: Inflation, Unemployment, and Drug Trafficking
Benazir Bhutto aimed to create a democratic Pakistan guided by Islamic principles,
reversing General Zia's pro-Islamic policies.
She focused on social reforms: ending bans on trade unions, releasing
political prisoners, and reinstating student unions.
Efforts were made to expand electricity access, but many promises remained
unfulfilled due to limited legislative power and opposition obstruction.
Economic issues worsened with rising inflation and unemployment. Drug
trafficking, particularly heroin addiction, surged, fueled by the drug trade
initiated during Zia's era.
Problems in Sindh
Sindh, despite being a PPP stronghold, became a hotspot for ethnic conflict,
particularly between Sindhis and Muhajirs.
To gain MQM support, Benazir promised to protect the rights of all Sindh
citizens. However, violence continued.
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On 30th September 1988, gunmen attacked a Muhajir gathering in Hyderabad,
killing 250 people, leading to widespread riots in Karachi.
In May 1990, a brutal government crackdown in Hyderabad resulted in the
"Pucca Qila massacre," where 31 women and children were killed. This
escalated violence in Sindh, worsening political instability.
Kashmir
During Bhutto's first term, Kashmir witnessed a significant uprising by Kashmiri
Muslims against Indian rule.
The rebellion was driven by dissatisfaction with Indian governance and
repression.
By the early 1990s, Pakistan, through its intelligence agencies, began
supporting Kashmiri insurgents with arms and training.
Bhutto condemned India’s harsh actions but also avoided direct conflict,
highlighting the need to support Kashmir diplomatically rather than through
open warfare.
Foreign Policy
Benazir Bhutto achieved notable success in foreign relations.
She reintegrated Pakistan into the Commonwealth and hosted the South Asian
Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit in 1988, improving
Pakistan-India relations.
Her 1989 official visit to the U.S. strengthened ties with President George H.W.
Bush and other officials, restoring diplomatic relations strained under Zia's
regime.
The Government Dismissed
Benazir's government faced severe allegations of corruption, particularly against
her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, who was accused of accepting bribes and was jailed
for two years.
These accusations, believed to be politically motivated, weakened her
administration.
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President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dismissed her government in 1990, citing
corruption and mismanagement.
In the subsequent elections, widespread allegations of vote-rigging emerged.
Nawaz Sharif's party, the Pakistan Muslim League, won, and Benazir became
the opposition leader.
Nawaz Sharif as Prime Minister (1990–1993)
Nawaz Sharif's government focused on economic reforms aimed at industrializing
Pakistan.
His economic policy promoted privatization, moving away from the
nationalization policies of Zulfikar Bhutto.
Key industries, including shipping, airlines, and telecommunications, were
privatized.
Large infrastructure projects like the Barotha Hydropower Project were
initiated to stimulate economic growth.
Sharif believed in a partnership between the private sector and the
government to drive economic development.
The Motorway Project
Nawaz Sharif initiated the ambitious Motorway Project to develop a fast
transportation network connecting Pakistan to Central Asian countries. This
project aimed to boost trade, rural development, and provide an alternative to
congested roads. The M2 motorway, Pakistan's first, was completed in November
1997, becoming South Asia's first motorway. However, it later faced delays under
General Musharraf's rule.
Loss of US Aid
Sharif’s economic policies were weakened due to reduced US aid. With the end of
the Soviet-Afghan War, US support to Pakistan declined, especially after
Pakistan's nuclear policies caused further pressure. This financial cutback
strained Pakistan's economy.
The BCCI Scandal
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The collapse of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) in 1991 led
to major financial losses for Pakistan. The bank, involved in fraud and
manipulation, had been a significant financial institution, and its downfall harmed
investor confidence.
Co-Operative Societies Scandal
Sharif’s government faced the 'Co-Operative Societies' scandal, where
mismanagement led to massive financial losses for many Pakistanis. Billions were
loaned to Sharif's family business, damaging his reputation despite eventual
repayments.
The Kalashnikov Culture
Pakistan saw increased crime and terrorism due to the influx of automatic
weapons, particularly Kalashnikov rifles, during the Soviet-Afghan war. This
culture of gun violence fueled ethnic rivalries, crime, and drug addiction,
becoming a serious national concern by 1999.
The Shariat Bill
In 1991, Nawaz Sharif passed the Shariat Bill, making Islamic laws supreme in
Pakistan. However, it faced criticism for promoting religious dominance in
governance. The law had little enforcement and disappointed both secularists and
fundamentalists.
Relations with the President
Sharif’s relationship with President Ghulam Ishaq Khan deteriorated, especially
over military appointments and the use of the Eighth Amendment, which allowed
the President to dismiss the government. Their conflict led to Sharif's dismissal in
1993, though the Supreme Court later reinstated him. Eventually, both leaders
resigned after failing to resolve their disputes.
Benazir Bhutto as Prime Minister (1993 - 1996)
Benazir Bhutto returned as Prime Minister in 1993, forming a coalition with
independent parties. Farooq Leghari was elected President, improving relations
between the Prime Minister and the presidency. Bhutto aimed to strengthen
women's rights and social reforms but struggled against strong opposition,
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particularly from Nawaz Sharif and the PML. Despite her efforts, legislative
progress was limited, and political unrest grew due to organized strikes and
opposition movements.
Family Feuds
Benazir Bhutto's government was affected by internal family conflicts. Her brother,
Murtaza Bhutto, opposed her leadership and founded the Al-Zulfikar Organization,
criticizing her for abandoning their father's principles. He also opposed Asif Ali
Zardari's role in the PPP due to corruption accusations. Murtaza returned to
Pakistan, won a seat as an anti-Bhutto candidate, but was later killed in a police
ambush in 1996, worsening Benazir's political standing.
Economic Problems
Benazir Bhutto faced significant economic challenges, including currency
devaluation and slow industrial growth. Although privatization raised funds, it was
hindered by officials’ personal interests. The economy suffered from international
sanctions following Pakistan’s nuclear program, leading to slowed GDP growth
and reduced manufacturing output.
The Government Dismissed
Relations with President Leghari deteriorated, leading him to dismiss Benazir’s
government in 1996 under the Eighth Amendment, citing corruption and poor
governance. Asif Ali Zardari was accused of political corruption, damaging
Benazir's image. Elections in 1997 resulted in Nawaz Sharif's return to power.
Nawaz Sharif as Prime Minister (1997–99)
Nawaz Sharif introduced the Thirteenth Amendment, limiting presidential powers
and strengthening the Prime Minister’s authority. He also passed the Anti-
Defection Bill to stop political switching. However, tensions rose due to media
suppression and political opposition.
Sajjad Ali Shah
Appointed as Chief Justice by Benazir Bhutto, Sajjad Ali Shah became a critic of
Nawaz Sharif. In 1997, conflicts over corruption charges led to an attack on the
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Supreme Court by Sharif’s supporters. President Leghari refused to act against
Shah, but under pressure, dismissed him in December 1997.
Nuclear Testing
In 1998, Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in Balochistan, earning national pride
but inviting global sanctions. These sanctions worsened Pakistan's economic
crisis, forcing Sharif to implement austerity measures and seek foreign loans.
The Government Falls
Sharif’s government weakened after dismissing army chief Jehangir Karamat,
replacing him with General Pervez Musharraf. The Kargil Conflict with India in
1999 and Sharif’s strained military relations led to his downfall. After attempting to
dismiss Musharraf and block his return, Sharif was overthrown in a military coup
and exiled to Saudi Arabia.
Benazir Bhutto’s Return and Assassination
Benazir Bhutto returned from exile in 2007 to contest elections. Surviving a
bombing attempt in October, she was assassinated on December 27, 2007, during
a rally in Rawalpindi. The attack resulted in significant casualties, and the
circumstances surrounding her assassination remain unclear.
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