Facts of Pakistan by Syeda Taqdees Abbas

Benazir Bhutto as Prime Minister(1988-1990) Q1. Explain about the revival of democracy in Pakistan during 1988 and 1990 under Benazir Bhutto government. Also mention the reasons for dismissal of Bibi Government by president Ghulam Ishaq Khan on 6th August 1990?   ANS: Democracy under Benazir Bhutto was the re establishment of public rule in 1988 after a long and tiring martial law of general Zia ul haq for almost eleven years. As a result of these elections in 1988, PPP won majority seats in the national assembly and Benazir Bhutto was declared as the prime minister of the country. PPP was the largest party in the national assembly, but still there seats in the provincial assembly of Punjab, Balochistan and NWFP were very less. In the national assembly too, she had to make an alliance with MQM even on different unacceptable conditions. Along with this she had to face constant oppositions by IJI (Islamic Jamhuriat Itehad) and PMLN. Click Here   Nawaz Sharif her biggest op...

Chaudhry Rehmat Ali:   Chaudhry Rehmat Ali played an important role in the establishment of Pakistan. He was in London when the Round Table Conferences were being held and tried to persuade the Muslim leaders that they should demand nothing less than a separate homeland for the Muslims.   In 1933, Rehmat Ali and three other students at Cambridge University published and distributed a pamphlet ’Now or Never’ It was a demand to work for the establishment of a separate homeland now otherwise that time of demand would never come with a specific name of a separate country “Pakistan”   it could be seen as the fate for 30 million Muslims in the subcontinent.   This pamphlet was not only accepted by Muslim leaders but the name ‘Pakistan’ as the new Muslim country was also given an overwhelming support. This pamphlet also clarified the Muslim ideology before the British government in England. Rehmat Ali stands as a man who gave Pakistan its name.    ...

Allama Muhammad Iqbal:   Allama Iqbal played an important role for the establishment of Pakistan. As a politician, he believed in the need of a separate homeland for Muslims. Although, he had been apposed by British and congress but continued writing awakening poetry for Muslims. His poetry was full of ideas for Pakistan as a separate homeland for Muslims, even he pointed out the names of Muslim majority provinces as the part of Muslim homeland in his Allahabad Address in 1930.   In 1926, he was elected as a member of Punjab assembly and soon he made an impact with his skill while handling new laws. He had seen how Muslims talks failed in Khilafat movement and came to believe that the only answer was partition. In 1927, he was appointed as the general secretary of Muslim league.  In 1930, December, he was granted the owner of presiding over the All India Muslim league in Allahabad which proved a turning point in the political struggle of Muslims. He was very sure about ...

Mohammad Ali Jinnah: 1816- 1948   Jinnah had an essential role for the establishment of Pakistan. During the 1920s and 1930s, he tried to work in co-operation, but when it became clear that congress was acting only in Hindu interests, he became a strong supporter of a separate homeland for Muslims. He made unique contribution to the Pakistan movement. He became the governor-general of the new country.    Jinnah disappointed the radical Hindu in the form of non cooperation movement approval which Ghandi brought to congress movement. He left the congress party in 1921. Due to non-cooperation movement his hopes for separate homeland were crushed with an issue of the Nehru report, to which he described as the ‘parting of the ways’, and so in return he issued his 14 points which was an important step on the road to Pakistan.    In 1930, 31, 32,  Jinnah represented the Muslim community in the RTCs in London in 1933 and got the separate rights approved for th...

Khilafat Movement Why Started?                                                                                                                         Khilafat movement started after 1 st world war to remind the British government about their promises. Muslims of subcontinent did not want to fight against Turkey in the 1 st world war. In those days Turkey was comprised of 4 states which were Turkey, Hijaz, Iraq and Iran. Muslims thought that the unity of these 4 states could help make the Muslim empire stronger. They wanted this Muslim empire to stag united due to their Muslim brotherhood bond with them. Indian Muslims cooperated with the British government only on this condition that ...

Early governments 1947 to 1971 achieved nothing/little   The early governments were not a complete failure, these governments gave a continuity to Islamic laws and rules after the establishment of Pakistan. There was no constitution of Pakistan in 1947 and early death of Quaid e Azam also snatched the chance of making a new constitution. In these circumstances introduction of objective resolution played and important part as it provided the basic idea of the making of a new constitution for Pakistan.   Later on all next constitutions were made in 1956, 1962 and 1973 on the same lines. Ullemas were constantly asking for pure Islamic system. There demands were also fulfilled to some extent. Government of Liaquat Ali Khan produced surplus budget for the development of the country.   Same way during the time of Khawaja Nazim ud Din America sent an aid package of one million ton wheat to fight the draught problems. Same way canal water dispute was also activated to overc...

Ayub Khan Reasons of Martial law Reasons of Martial law imposition in 1958   Martial law was imposed in 1958 because the political governments in Pakistan had become very weak. Feroz Khan had remained unsuccessful to reform the politicians for the development o Pakistan. Gap between East and West Pakistan had increased. Political parties were more divided than ever. Iskender Mirza was greatly unsatisfied by this situation and he had the power to dismiss the Prime Minister which he had already done two times in less than two years. So he dismissed the government all national and provincial assemblies and imposed martial law in the country.   During this era before 1958 there was very severe food shortage in the country and intense floods in East Pakistan. Public and politicians blamed the government for this worst situation, political rights of public were still not safe. Iskender Mirza had the right to appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister of the state so he kept changi...

Reforms of Ayub Khan 1958 till 1969   Ayub Khan during 1958 till 1969 introduced many reforms like agricultural reforms, industrial reforms, and constitutional reforms, social and educational reforms which were very important for the development of Pakistan   Ayub Khan look over as Martial law administrator in 1958 October. His advisors pressed for more Industrial Development. So taking these advices in consideration he introduced reforms relating to industries. Thus, many foreign countries gave loans as UK, USA and Germany. In 1962 an oil refinery was set up in Karachi and a mineral Development Corporation was also set up to explore mineral deposit an export bonus scheme was made offering the incentive to those industrialists which increased exports. The average annual rate by which economy grew in 1960 was 7 % which was three times that of India banking and insurance companies developed. He appointed general Azam Khan in 1959 to settle 75000 refugees in newly build dwel...

Rason of Failure of Ayub’s Government 1969   Ayub Khan has lost his most of the support till 25th March 1969 so he had to resign from his post. He did not call for new elections to choose the next President but he simply handed over the government to another army general Gen yahya Khan. This was the time when many groups in the society were discontented by the government policies.Increasing opposition from different groups cause the failure of Ayub Khan's government.   Ayub khan was blamed for rigging in elections two time first against was Miss Fatima Jinnah when all political parties were in her favor but Ayub khan showed   the results his favor i.e. 64% for Ayub khan and 36% for Miss Fatima Jinnah. There were riots everywhere and great opposition with the view that cheating was done. Same way rigging was blamed on the elections for the Electoral College and the president.   Ayub Khan started widespread arrests and tortures which led to increase in opposition...

Haji Sharitullah and faraizi movement   Haji Sharitullah and faraizi movement Haji Shariatullahs birth 1781 to 1840 ,area of birth was Faridpur, went to Saudi Arabia for hajj in 1799, death date 1840.   Haji Sharitullah started faraizi movement because Muslims of Bengal had adopted many and un Islamic practices and believes. Worst economic condition caused miserable circumstances of oppression due to Hindu land lords influence. Hindus had started affecting the religions of Muslim also and Muslim had to adopt many un Islamic practices to please their Hindu landlords to counter these cruelties of Hindu land lords Haji Shriat Ullah had to start faraizi movement. Bengali Muslims wanted to agitate against Hindu masters but they had no way out .Haji sharitullah started Fraizi movement to restore the respectable status of the Muslims. He brought them toward worshiping together and following of Islamic Faraiz regularly to make them united and stronger from inside. In this way they...

          Malik Ghulam Muhammad [1951 - 55]     Malik ghulam Muhammad came in the government as third governor general of Pakistan in October 1951. He persuaded Khawaja Nizam-ud-din to become the prime minister of the country. Malik Ghulam Muhammad was an ex-civil servant who had his links with official high ups. In 1951, he set up a planning commission and launched first six years plan for Pakistan’s economic development related to agriculture, industry, mining etc. He also started schemes for social uplift. These schemes were successful to bring the economic development of Pakistan. Unfortunately, from 1951 to 1953, there was a severe drought in Pakistan which caused large scale food shortage and riots started against the government all over the country. Governor General was not ready to deal with such situation. At that time USA donated millions of tons of wheat to cover the food shortage. When this problem tackled, another i...

Khawaja Nazim-ud-din 1951-1955           On 14 th September 1948, after the death of Quaid-e-Azam, Khawaja Nazim-ud-din became the new Governor General of Pakistan. Liaquat Ali Khan was still working as the Prime Minister of the country. Khawaja Nazim-ud-din started depending more upon Liaquat Ali Khan as he was trained directly by Quaid-e-Azam. This was the time when Pakistan’s first constitution was to be passed and to satisfy the different groups in the society, especially the religious groups. Ullamas wanted more religious type of constitution and they were not ready to accept amended constitution of 1935. Ullamas were claiming that government was not made according to Shariat rules, so they were dissatisfied.           There was lack of well-organized political parties and the Prime Minister with a stable majority in the legislature. It also caused lack of an efficient Cabinet. Many politi...

Liaquat Ali Khan            Liaquat Ali Khan worked as the Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1947 – 1951. He worked along with Quaid- e-Azam, and even after his death. He was a capable PM who took care of the system of government and law-making. Due to his efforts constitutional problems were settled to some extent by implementing the amended version of the Government of India Act 1935. He was the one who documented the Objectives Resolution about the social, religious and cultural rights of the people of Pakistan. The resolution was a set of objectives for the next constitution of Pakistan.           Liaquat Ali Khan supported Quaid-e-Azam regarding the matter of the refugee’s problem. He met the Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and signed the Liaquat-Nehru pact in 1948 related to the rights of minorities in both societies of India and Pakistan. Free passage of refugees was also restricted and a visa sys...

Quaid e Azam as the Governor General of Pakistan   Quaid e Azam worked towards establishing Pakistan as a single and united country. He stressed at the need of everyone in Pakistan to work together, stay united and to create a strong nation. He opposed religious intolerance, provincialism and racialism. He was determined that Pakistan should be seen as a land based upon tolerance in Islamic ideas, justice and equality. He ordered that any non Muslims who chose to remain in Pakistan should be treated fairly and not persecuted.     The civil services were recognized in order to run the administration smoothly; the civil services rules were drafted. He informed the government officials that they were the servants of the people and not the rulers of the country. They worked with their national spirit.   Quaid also reached a compromise with India in the Canal Water Dispute which ensured that Pakistan’s agriculture would not be denied from their right of precious wat...

Shah Wali ullah Why did Shah Wali ullah start his religious movement?   Shah Wali ullah started his religious movement because Muslims were facing great hardships due to the negligence of Mughal Empire. Non-Muslim forces were becoming more powerful e.g. Marathas in Delhi were forcing Muslims to convert to Marathaism. Muslim government was not helping these Muslims. Muslims of Delhi were not allowed to say Azaan, could not offer prayer openly, could not fast and even their houses were burnt when they were not ready to accept Marathaism. In these worsening conditions there was a need of a leader and protector who could support Muslims against Marathas. This was the reason Shah Wali ullah moved ahead and invited Ahmed Shah Abdali to protect Muslims.     Muslims of his time were too much divided into sectarian groups like Shiyas and Sunnis. Shah Wali ullah wanted Muslims to be united on the fundamentals of Islam leaving their differences aside. He believed that Muslims ...

Br British East India Company(EIC)   British government took control over the East India Company because EIC was very unjust and corrupt. Officers were exploiting Indian wealth and distorting the image of British nation. After 1707,when Aurangzeb died and the process of decline started due to the uninterested and weak successors. Mughal government couldn’t stop the state and provinces to break away. Foreign invaders were entering in the subcontinent and were taking control of country’s economy. Slowly and gradually all control went into the hands of EIC and the British.   After Ahmed Shah in 1761, a power vacuum was created in India. EIC filled up this power vacuum not only over India but also on Indian territories. EIC was earning huge profits by bringing machine made things in bulks becoming more popular in India. On the other hand EIC had well trained army with modern weapons while Indian army was no match to their power. Most of the generals and army of EIC was ready t...

East India Company British government took control from EIC because EIC’s government was very corrupt and unjust. Officers were exploiting Indians wealth and distorting the image of the British nation. EIC officers were acting like looters instead of behaving like conquerors so it was important to take control from them to redevelop the dignified image of the British, that is why government took over control of the sub-continent and introduced proper system and set public welfare rules to run the government. India was a huge country with a large and profitable economy. It was very beneficial for the British government to take control of such large finances in their hands and get direct benefit of Indian wealth and treasure to benefit their whole country instead of just some traders or just one country. EIC traders who had recently got the control of such a big wealth were also showing some Rebellion which was important to check that is why British took over control from the company...

Ayub Khan 1958 to 1969 Why came to power? There were a number of Prime Ministers between 1956 and 1958 and it reached a stage when Ayub Khan achieved the status and he felt that army should take control until stability had been restored and questions answered. East Pakistan’s politicians wanted more say in the running of the central government which increased tension. Iskander Mirza had lost the support of many of the leading politicians and was alarmed at a point by Prime Minister Suharwardy who was uniting the political leadership of Bengal and Punjab against him. Therefore Ayub Khan and the military decided to take over full control of the government in 1958. Reforms of Ayub Khan Ayub Khan took action to prevent people from hoarding goods and selling them on the black market at inflated prices. Profiteers had their goods confiscated and many were arrested. As a result this action brought down the prices of many goods. He also fixed the price of milk and other goods to stop p...

Aurangzeb’s Successors   Decline of Mughal Empire in reference to the successors of Aurangzeb   Aurangzeb had defeated his rivals to take over the government and to expand his empire. He even killed his brothers and imprisoned his father to take over the government. When he grew old and his three sons were young enough to take care of the government’s matters ,he did not want them to waste their energy fighting against each other so he divided the Empire into three parts and gave each part to each son There was no use of such an activity because his sons kept fighting with each other ,kept taking over the governments and kept killing each other wasting resources at a large scale .These fighting developed weakness in the stability of the Mughal Empire .There were constant oppositions, rebellion movements and attacks from other countries. Wastage of money on these wars was so much that till 1719 it could be clearly seen during Muhammad Shah’s reign   that the Empire was...