Benazir Bhutto as Prime Minister(1988-1990)
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.
Nawaz Sharif her biggest opponent was unable
to accept any of her policies of Agriculture development as he himself was a
wealthiest industrialist. These opposition parties organized a non-cooperation
movement in the national assembly in 1989 and moved a no confidence movement
though they remained unsuccessful but it offended President Ghulam Ishaq Khan,
also against the Bibi government. At that time of dismay, clashes and terrorism
by MQM. Benazir Bhutto and Ghulam Ishaq Khan developed some disagreements about
the appointment of military and judiciary’s high officials.
Her
husband Asif Ali Zardari , was also sent to jail for corruption and
blackmailing. This complete situation with a lot of authority in the hands of
the president could not let her use her democratic rights as a prime minister
of Pakistan. She introduced some measures related to the economic uplift and
political freedom of the country for example: She started trade unions,
released political prisoners and electrified many rural areas of Pakistan. She
wished to end the Hudood ordinance imposed by Zia ul Haq ,but she could not
because she had a lack of seats in the Parliament.
During her era, many economic developmental
plans were launched, but could not gain much success. Over all situations of unemployment,
lack of health resources and declining educational systems were hurting the
economy of the country. Population was increasing immensely without any
planning. In this manner things were going out of her hands. Benazir’s foreign
policy gained some success due to her international popularity. Pakistan joined
back in the commonwealth and hosted SARC (South Asian Association for Regional
Corporation) in 1988. Pakistan and India signed a peace agreement.
She also improved relations between Pakistan
and the USA, when she met President Bush in 1989. In this way some success
could be seen for Pakistan. The Benazir Government had to face a number of problems,
for example accusations of corruption by political opponents, opposition of
Ullamas, opposition of President Ghulam Ishaq Khan and finally the opposition
of MQM in Sindh gave a final blow to the rule.
Karachi
became a centre of terrorism and killing, Sindhi and MQM muhajirs were injured
in open shooting against each other. Very strict laws of shoot on sight, curfew
and house to house search had to be imposed in Karachi. Muhajirs protested
against this step. A fighting broke out and in a result of that the event Pukka
Rilla massacre occurred in which 31 women and children were also killed leading
to overall unrest and deaths of 300 people on 27th may 1990 in Karachi. This
situation was taken as a negative point against Bibi that she might be unable
to control the government.
On 6th August 1990 keeping the whole of this
unrest situation in mind, President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dismissed the government
of Benazir Bhutto. The allegations of incompetence and corruption were imposed
on Benazir and her husband Asif Ali Zardari.
TZ i think it was the mistake of the system as benazir was unable to raise voice against it due to less authority
ReplyDeleteEM. I think benazir wasnt given the roper authority that should be given to the PM in order to successfully run the country. Throughout her rule she was occupied with the immense opposition she faced.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a very valid and strong answer covering all aspects,points and it is written from all possible angles.....
ReplyDeleteZ.
Every Govt. faced opposition, although Benazir faced more opposition but she had to act like a PM but she failed to do so and she also could not fulfill what she promised, so her removal was necessary and presidents's act was justified. A.R
ReplyDelete