Democracy in Pakistan

Pakistan got Independence in 1947 and appeared on the world map as a Islamic Republic State. To get independent state idea was entirely based on to form the Islamic society so that its people can spend their lives in the light of Islamic principles and they can orientate the future polity, economy and mode of governance of the country.It was a matter of grave misfortune that soon after independence we lost Quaid-e-Azam founder of Pakistan who was perhaps the only one capable leader who knew the means of true democracy, after him the nation fell into the hands of feudals and until now they are holding it due to that democracy is a blessing unknown to the people of the part of this world.

After him first decade was completely unrest with political instability as many as seven prime ministers resigned or some of them were ousted. Soon After independence Liaqat Ali Khan became first prime Minister of Pakistan.He was also called the right hand of Quiad-e-Azam, the leader of Muslim League and first governor general of Pakistan. Liaqat Ali Khan had played Vital role in the independence of India And Pakistan, he also established ground work for Pakistan's foreign policy.

It was Khan due to him India agreed to resolve the Kashmir issue in a peaceful manner through the efforts of United Nations. During his tenure he maintained good relations with United States and Great Britain. Liaqat Khan was assassinated on 16Oct1951 with two shot on his chest.After Liaqat Ali Khan murdered Khawaja Nazimuddin became Prime Minister who was also second governor general of Pakistan after Quaid-e-Azam early death in 1948. During his period there was rapidly rift within the Muslim league, especially between Punjabi and Bengalis, but his period was cut short in 1953 due to religious movement began to remove the Ahmedi religious minorities from the power positions and demanded to declared them non Muslims. Before it situation became out of control Ghulam Mohammed, the Governor General asked him to step down, Khawaja resisted but he used his reserve power which allowed him to dismiss the prime minister.

The dismissal of Khawaja Nazimuddin by the Governor General signalled troubling trend in Pakistan Political history. After him 1953 Muhammad Ali Bogra became the third Prime Minister, he was relatively unknown face to the people as he was serving as Ambassador to US when he was recalled to take the office of Prime Minister. As Prime Minister he set out to form a constitution. In order to complete he outlined his famous 'Bogra formula' that sought to form bicameral legislature. An upper house would have 50 seats, 10 seats from East Pakistan and 40 were from West Pakistan.Lower house contained 300 seats, the lower house seats would be determined on base of population and east Pakistan got 165 seats and remaining 135 combined seats were hold West Pakistan but would be split among the provinces.

There was also put one provision if President of Pakistan were from from West Pakistan then the Prime minister would be from East Pakistan and Vice Versa, the plan was very popular but was killed when Ghulam Muhammad dissolved the Pakistan assembly in 1953. Muhammad Ali bogra was forced to resign in 1955 by Iskander Ali Mirza and he was returned to his ambassador post, In 1962 he became the foreign minister of Pakistan.From 1955 - 1958 four prime ministers came but no one stayed for long time. This situation paved way for Pakistan’s first military takeover.

General Ayub Khan was the first military leader who introduced Marshal Law in 1958 to 1969, ; General Yahya Khan from 1969-1971. In Practically Pakistan remained without democratic constitution till 1973. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto became the fourth President of Pakistan from 1971-1973 and ninth prime minister in 1973 after he gave the third constitution to the country.Zulfiqar Al Bhutto was very clever and active leader he also known as the founder of nuclear programme as after Indian first nuclear test in 1974 he sensed great danger of Pakistan and in the press conference shortly after India's nuclear test, prime minister Bhutto said " even we have to eat grass we will make nuclear bombs". In Bhutto’s regime most big industries like steel, chemical, cement were nationalized.Despite of some decision which was not in the favour of Pakistan still Bhutto period concluded as the successive period in the history of democratic Pakistan's government as during his tenure there was bsolute fall in poverty from 46.

50% by the end of military rule to 30. 78% by 1979-1980. During his Leadership Bhutto also faced a high scale criticism from his opponents. Finally he was thrown in 1977 by Gen Zia ul haq imposed the third Martial law.

Bhutto was executed in 1979 after Supreme Court of Pakistan sentenced him to death for authorising the murder of political opponent in a move that many believe was done under the directives of General zia ul Haq.Gen Zia held out solemn promise to establish Islamic democracy in the country within 90 days but continued to rule in the country as an absolute autocrat for number of years. He only promoted cult of sectarianism and extremism in the name of Islam that was to curse the social, political and religious life of the nation during the coming years. During his tenure he could not spell out a word that what he meant by Islamic democracy. In December 1984 after the Presidential referendum, elections for National Assembly and provincial assemble were held in February 1985 on non party basis.General Zia nominated Muhammad Khan Junejo as the Prime minister of Pakistan in March 1985.

After being nominated Muhammed Khan Junejo promised that he would lift the Martial Law and restored the civilian government. Junejo's position was weak and vulnerable under the Zia amendments made in the constitution in which position of President was more strong than Prime minister, despite his weak position Junejo after being sworn as Prime Minister carried out his promise of lifting Martial law and restoration of fundamental rights but at the price of 8th amendment and the revival of constitution.Mohammad Khan Junejo introduced a five point program. The program was multidimensional in nature. The main objectives were to induct a new and progressive civilian order, finish the corruptions, other social evils, form the institutions for justice, and liberate at least 50 percent people from illiteracy, and to make socio - economic growth for the country.

After lifting Martial law Junejo tried to take course independent of Zia.He annoyed top Militaly officials after taken back their big cars and replaced them small cars. His government even tried to probe into the military fiasco at Ojheri camp near Islamabad which resulted in the death and large number of injuries of civilians, this probe perhaps becomes the cause of dismissal of his government. Junejo's government met with sudden and unexpected end when he was returning from South Korea visit in May 29, 1988.Gen Zia dismissed Junejo by using controversial rule 58(2) b of the constitution. According to Zia law and order broken to the alarming extent and government could not be run in accordance with the constitution.

Although Junejo had no claim on his position as he was appointed by Zia, but his performance was commendable, with limited option he did best what he could do. He restored the fundamental rights of the citizens under the constitution which was forget to them since long.He was honest political leader and during his period development was made specially constructions of the roads in rural areas and electrification of the villages. In 17 Aug, 1988, Gen Za was also killed in mid air crash, He went Bhawalpur to see the demonstration of tanks where he was accompanied by the number of Generals, Joint chief of army staff, top military attaches and also US ambassador for Pakistan.

On his return journey his military transport aircraft C-130 exploded in the mid air after few minutes of take off killing all passengers on board including the president.With the death of General Zia 11 year military rule also reached to its end. And country was set forth on the way of democracy. After him Benazir Bhutto became the Prime Minster, Bhutto was sworn in as Prime minister in 1988 at the age of 35, she was the first and to date female Prime minister but she was removed after 20 months under the order of then President Ghulam Ishag Khan on grounds of alleged corruption.

And then on 01 Nov Nawaz Sharif became the Prime minister of Pakistan, He Vows to end the corruption in the country, He focused on improving the infrastructure of th country and first time he introduced digital communication as well as privatization of the government banks which not only open the gate for foreign banks but also privatized the government industry. This practised was started in Benazir Bhutto period also. For the first time in the history of Pakistan he allowed foreign money can be exchanged from the private exchange companies before it was only possible from government banks and amount must not exceed than USD 1000.This was of immense benefit for the common people as high percentage of the population living abroad and they get remittances from abroad. His government was sacked in 1993 by Presidant Ghulam Ishaq khan used his vested power in him by 08th amendment to dissolve the national assembly on charge of corruption, nepotism, extra judicial killings, taking revenge and victimization of opponents. Six weeks later Supreme Court ruled that President order was unconstitutional, reconstituted the National assembly and returned Sharif to power on 26May.

The Pakistan army stepped in and asked Sharif to resign, as a result of negotiation was Sharif and President Ghulam Ishaq Khan resigning on 18Jul 1993, soon after Moin Qureshi became as a care take and after shortly succeeded by Benazir Bhutto who was elected to office on 19Oct 1993. PPP got prestigious victory with two-third majority to continue her reform initiatives. According to the journalist Shyam Bhatia Bhutto smuggled CDs containing Uranium enrichment date and same year in return she got missile technology.In 1996 amidst of various corruption scandals Bhutto was dismissed by then President Farooq Loghari by using his reserve powers according to the 08th amendment. The Supreme Court also affirmed President decision.

Mr malik Miraj Khalid was asked to preside the interim government before new elections. In 1997, Nawaz Sharif was re-elected as a Prime minister this was his second term. Following year on 28May and 30 May 1998, under his government Pakistan successfully tests her nuclear weapons in response of Indian nuclear weapons test which they explode couple of weeks back.It credit goes to Nawaz Sharif who personally resisted the immense pressure by the then president Bill Clinton who offered Nawaz with hefty amount tranfer in his account in order to stop the nuclear tests. He held a secret meeting with Pakistan’s scientist and it was decided to conduct country's first nuclear test, he also alerted Pakistan army officials to defend the country's nuclear installations.

Under Nawaz Sharif's leadership Pakistan became the first Islamic and seventh nuclear country in the world.In 1999 afetr Kargil war thers was conflict between Nawaz Sharif and Genral Pervez Musharaf which Nawaz claimed he was not informed on the other hand Pervez Musharraf accused him for the defeat and killings of hundred of soldiers after getting troops withdrawl order. Later on when Nawaz sharif felt the fear that Musharraf would be danger for his government he tried to terminate him by stopping his plane landing after his return from Srilanka. But this day was not very lucky day for Nawaz Sharif, as Musharraf contacted to the army official and they arrested the Nawaz sharif after safley landed Pervez Musharraf plane at Karachi airport.