ASSIGNMENT NO 01 

 
Submitted By  
AL AFIA MANZOOR 
MARIA ARIF 
SANIA BIBI 
UMM-E-FARWA 
WARDA FEROZ 
SYEDA ZURIAT Batool 
 
BATCH BBA 39 (B) 
 
SUBJECT PAK STUDIES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSTITUTIONAL  AND  POLITICAL 
DEVELOPMENT IN PAKISTAN 
 
From 1978-1979
I​ n 1978
Massacre at Multan Colony (January 2):
The massacre of 1978 at Multan colony textile mills was one of the most brutal acts
of the Zia ul Haq regime in Pakistan.
In 1978 Multan textile mills was one of the most profitable factories in Pakistan, it
employed more than 5000 workers. When the workers learned that the factory had
made profit, they argued that they owed a bonus, under the labour policy 1972.But
the owner refused to pay the bonus.
With the refusal of the owner, workers decided to go on a complete lockdown of the
factory, and a peaceful strike.
In January 197, the daughter of mill owner shaikh was getting married. The dowry of
the bride was ten times higher than the bonus owed to the workers.
Zia ul Haq was invited to the wedding as well. A rumour spread that strikers were
going to attack the wedding ceremony.
Zia ul Haq ordered the state paramilitary force to workers and crush the movement.
Paramilitary forces opened fire on striking workers, resulting in 200 killed and many
injured.

2) Lahore High Court Death Sentence to Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto

(March 18):
On 3rd September 1978, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was arrested on the charges of
authorising the murder of a political opponent.
Nawab Ahmed Khan Kasuri was assassinated on the orders of Prime Minister of that
time Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in 1974.
The trial of Z.A Bhutto and four others who were the part of conspiracy, lasted for
four months. After that he was found guilty along with four others and was awarded
the death sentence.

3) Zia ul Haq (September 16):

Muhammad Zia ul Haq was a four-star Pakistani general, who became the sixth
president of Pakistan after declaring martial law. He served as the head of state from
1978 until his death in 1988. He remains the longest serving head of state.
After deposing most of Bhutto’s government, Zia ul Haq declared martial law, and
appointed himself as the Chief Martial Law Administrator. President Fazal Illahi was
persuaded to continue his office as an office head. But after the completion of his
term, and despite Zia’s insistence to accept an extension as president, Fazal illahi
resigned and Zia ul Haq took hold of the office as president of Pakistan on 16
September 1978.

IN 1979

1) Supreme Court Upholds Bhutto’s Conviction in Muhammad

Ahamed Khan Kasuri Murder Case (February 16):
The court refused to review its 4 to 3 decision, upholding Z.A Bhutto death sentence
and conviction on charges of having ordered the murder of a political opponent.
The court also said that “Z.A Bhutto has seven days to file a clemency petition with
President Zia ul Haq. If you did not make such a plea or it is unsuccessful, the man
who ruled this country for five years could be hanged on a 24 hours’ notice”.
With this Chief Justice Anwar ul Haq said “the petition is dismissed”. But Z.Z Bhutto
instructed his family not to ask for leniency from President Zia ul Haq.

2) Bhutto Got Hanged (April 4):

On April 4 Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was hanged in Central Jail Rawalpindi. He was hanged
after a controversial trial on charges of corruption and extrajudicial killings.
The remaining leadership of Pakistan’s People Party was jailed or exiled.

3) Attack on U.S. Embassy Islamabad (November 21)

On November 21 – after a false radio report from a Supreme Iranian Leader
Ayatollah Khomeini, that Americans have occupied the grand mosque in Mecca. The
U.S. The Embassy in Islamabad is attacked by a mob and sets afire, killing 4.

4) Press Censorship (October 16):

Zia ul Haq imposed censorship on the media. On 16 October 1979, General Zia
clamped down on the news media, after beginning feeling that the media had begun
criticism over his continued rule.
A new reign of censorship was thus unleashed, with the government now actively
involved in what was being printed and what was not.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
From 1980-1981
IN 1980
● Pakistan boycotts Moscow Olympics (May 10)
In 1980, the United state led a boycott of the summer olympicsGames in Moscow to
protest the late 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. In total, 65 nations refused to
participate in the games, whereas 80 countries sent athletes to compete.

When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan on December 27, 1979, the
international community broadly condemned the action. Advisors to Soviet leader
Leonid Brezhnev claimed that the intervention would be quick and uncontested and
suggested that U.S. President Jimmy Carter was too engrossed in the ongoing
hostage crisis in Iran to respond to the situation in Kabul. In reality, the Soviet
intervention in Afghanistan led to an extended conflict in Central Asia, and Carter
reacted with a series of measures designed to place pressure on the Soviets to
withdraw. These measures included the threat of a grain embargo, the withdrawal of
the ​SALT II agreement ​from Senate consideration, and a possible boycott of the
1980 Summer Olympics, scheduled to be hosted by Moscow.

In early 1980, the movement toward either boycotting the games altogether or
moving them out of the Soviet Union gained momentum. Many muslim countries
including Pakistan also bycotts the Summer Olympics.

● Establishment of Federal Shariat Court is announced (May 26)

The ​Federal Shariat Court​, abbreviated as ​FSC​, is a constitutional court of
Pakistan, which has the power to examine and determine whether the laws of
the country comply with ​Sharia law. The court was established in 1980 and is
located in the federal capital, ​Islamabad​.

it consists of eight Muslim judges appointed by the ​President of Pakistan on

the advice of the Chief Justice of the Court, from amongst the serving or
retired judges of the ​Supreme Court or a ​High Court ​or from amongst
persons possessing the qualifications of High Court judges. Justice
Muhammad Noor Miskanzi ex Chief Justice of Balochistan High court is
the current ​Chief Justice of the federal shariat court who was taken oath on
dated 20/04/2019. Of the 8 judges, 3 are required to be ​Ulema who are well
versed in ​Islamic law​. The judges hold office for a period of 3 years, which
may eventually be extended by the President.

● Government start collecting Zakat (june 21)

Zakat Councils are responsible for collecting and distributing the ​Islamic taxes
known as ​Zakat ​and ​Ushr ​in ​Pakistan​. The Councils are overseen by the
Ministry of Religious Affairs​. In ​Pakistan​, the system of compulsory collection
 and distribution of ​Zakat and ​Ushr began in 1980 with an ordinance decreed
by General ​Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq calling for a 2.5% annual deduction from
personal bank accounts on the first day of ​Ramadan​, with the revenue to be
used for poverty relief.

IN 1981
● Interest free banking system (jan 1)
in Pakistan in 1981 the interest free banking systems started. In which the
way of islamic banking was introduced where interest is not allowed.

● International Islamic University start working

Iiu was established in 1980 and started working from 1981. It is a big source of
higher education for both males and females. The university is listed among the
recognised universities and degree awarding institutions of Pakistan by the higher
education commission of Pakistan.

● PIA hijacked to Kabul

In March 1981, ​Al-Zulfiqar led by ​Murtaza Bhutto ​hijacked a ​Pakistan International

Airlines flight en route to ​Peshawar from ​Karachi​, and diverted it to ​Kabul​.[1]
​ The
hijacking went on for thirteen days, during which Major Tariq Rahim was shot to
death; the hijackers mistakenly believed Rahim to be the son of General ​Rahimuddin
Khan​. Tariq Rahim had been ADC with Mr. Bhutto and has been transferred to
Foreign Service on the reference of Mr. Bhutto. He was very well known to the
Bhutto Family but Murtaza felt he had deceived his father. Rahim was executed
following ​Murtaza Bhutto​'s conferring with ​KHAD chief ​Mohammad Najibullah​. The
execution forced the ​Zia-ul-Haq regime to accept the demands of the hijackers,
releasing dozens of ​Pakistan Peoples Party and other leftist political prisoners
languishing in Pakistani ​jails​. Major Tariq Rahim's body was thrown from the plane
on the tarmac where he bled to death.

● Pakistan Steels Mills

The main production units were constructed with a host of infrastructure facilities
involving unprecedented volumes of work and expertise. Component units of the
steel mill numbering over twenty and each a big enough factory in its own right were
commissioned as they were completed between April 1981 to August 1985, with the
coke ovens and byproducts plant coming online first and the galvanizing unit last.
The commissioning of Blast Furnace Number 1 on 14 August 1981 marked
Pakistan's entry into the elite club of iron and steel producing nations. The project
was completed at a capital cost of Rs. 24.7Mn. The completion of the steel mill was
formally launched by President
From 1982-1983

Pakistan in 1982
President:

Muhammad Zia ul Haqq was president at that time.

Chief justice:

Mohammad Haleem was chief justice at that time.

On July 15 Pakistan completed its fifth year under material law administration. The
once self-described interim government committed to early elections and return to
constitutional rule, had long since settled into an entrenched military bureaucratic
regime of national security . The government headed by president Zia ul Haqq could
boast little popular support. the public feeling was less a bitter hatred that one finds
towards tyrannical rule which it was not. General Zia ul Haqq had by most judgments
skillfully co opted and suppressed opponents to his rule an islamization program not
part of original mission in seizing power assured the regime a claim to moral high
ground and tempered criticism among a board segment of society .Pakistan still
experiencing relative economic prosperity , opposition middle class group previously
success full in toppling governments failed to acouse the masses in protest. Large
landowners and business interests clearly preferred the Zia rule. Zia’s standing in
conservative Arab world as sincere Muslim leader figured critically in Pakistan’s
economic planning. he played his American card well cashing in for military and
economic assistance on his country apparent strategic position, while praise for his
determination to have Pakistan remain independent foreign policy.

Pakistan in 1983:
President:

Muhammad Zia ul Haqq was president at that time.

Chief justice:

Mohammad Haleem was chief justice at that time​.

Operation Meghdoot:
The Indian military decided to deploy troops from the Northern ​Ladakh region as
well as some paramilitary forces to the glacier area. Most of the troops had been
acclimatized to the extremities of the glacier through a training expedition to
Antarctica in 1982 before eventually launching the operation to occupy the complete
glacier. In 1983, Pakistani generals decided to stake their claim through troop
deployments to the Siachen glacier. After analyzing the Indian Army's
mountaineering expeditions, they feared that India might capture key ​ridges and
passes near the glacier and decided to send their own troops first. ​Islamabad
ordered ​Arctic -weather gear from a London supplier, unaware that the same
supplier provided outfits to the Indians. The Indians were informed about this
development and initiated their own plan, providing them with a head start.

MRD:
1983, the MRD effectively regained enough momentum to reassert itself and
President Zia sensed the MRD would likely choose ​independent day to renew its
offensive. As a counterattack on MRD, he announced a plan for the restoration of
democracy on August 12, 1983. However, Zia’s speech elaborated merely an
intention to move toward democracy rather than any specific proposals. Details
regarding the role of the military, the 1973 constitution, and the future of political
parties were left unclear.

Nuclear test:
Pakistan conducted a cold test of a nuclear device, proving the state as one of
recognized nuclear weapons states. The test was not announced publicly until
1998.

From 1984-1985

Islamisation policy:
A referendum on the Islamisation policy of President Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq was
held in Pakistan on 19 December 1984.The referendum also served as way of
extending Zia-ul-Haq's presidential term by five years. Official results declared it
approved by 98.5% of voters, with a turnout of 62.2%.
Referendum of 1984:
General Zia eventually decided to hold elections in the country. But before handing
over the power to the public representatives, he decided to secure his position as the
head of state. A referendum was held in December 1984, and the option was to elect
or reject the General as the future President. The question asked in the referendum
was whether the people of Pakistan wanted Islamic Sharia law enforced in the
country. According to the official result, more than 95 percent of the votes were cast
in favor of Zia-ul-Haq, thus he was elected as President for the next five years.
However, they were marred by allegations of widespread irregularities and technical
violations of the laws and ethics of democratic elections.

Legislation
Zia brought Ordinance XX into Law in 1984. The legislation restricted the religious
freedom of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, prohibited them from offering
"salam" (the Islamic greeting common to the local Urdu language) prohibited the
reading and writing of the Quran, prohibited the community from building mosques,
prohibited the community from Islamic worship and prohibited Ahmadi Muslims from
calling themselves Muslim and threatened prison terms for any individual who 'in any
manner whatsoever outrages the religious feelings of Muslims'. Pressure on Zia to
hold elections mounted and some of it came from overseas, including from the
United States. In 1984 Zia announced that elections to legislative bodies would be
held in 1985, and this time the schedule held.

National Agricultural Research Centre:

The inauguration of the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) by the
President of Pakistan, General Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq; on March 27, 1984, was a
landmark in the history of the National Agricultural Research System and a matter of
pride for the Council. This Centre has been established with financial assistance
from the United States, later supplemented by the World Bank. It is the premier
research establishment to con​duct research in areas of national importance, where
such research is not being done, is seriously inadequate or can best be done at a
central institution.

1985 elections and constitutional amendments:

Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan and Pakistani general election,
1985.After holding the 1984 referendum, Zia succumbed to international pressure
and gave permission to the election commission to hold nationwide general elections
but without political parties in February 1985. Most of the major opposing political
parties decided to boycott the elections but election results showed that many victors
belonged to one party or the other. Critics complained that ethnic and sectarian
mobilisation filled the void left by banning political parties (or making elections
"non-partisan"), to the detriment of national integration.

Amnesty International:
On 19 November 1985 the Amnesty International also accused the Zia regime of
torturing and denying fair trials to political prisoners tried by special military courts.
"As of September, more than 130 prisoners were serving sentences of between
seven and 42 years after special military courts convicted them of political offenses
or politically motivated criminal offenses.

Martial law:
Zia promised to end martial law by the end of 1985, but he exacted a high price for
this. The Eighth Amendment to the constitution confirmed and legalized all acts
taken under martial law, including changes to the constitution. It affirmed the right of
the president to appoint and dismiss the prime minister. With the amendment
passed, Zia ended martial law in late 1985.

From 1986-1987

Background 1986 to 1987

● Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan in April 1986, and was greeted by
approximately 3 million supporters of the People’s Party of Pakistan. She had
ended another self-imposed exile and returned home to a Pakistan headed by
then President General Zia-ul-Haq.
● July 8, 1986 Peshawar Dry Port was inaugurated.
 ● 1986 PACE Chairman Munir Ahmed Khan had begun work on the 50 MW
plutonium and tritium production reactor at Khushab, known as Khushab
Reactor Complex which became operational by 1998.
● February 21,1987 President Zia made a surprise visit to India, met Premier
Rajiv Gandhi.To discuss the second phase of troop withdrawals at the border.
● December 18: Benazir Bhutto married Asif Ali Zardari.

Events

The National Assembly lifted the ban on political parties on December 9, 1985, and
President Zia lifted martial law on ​January 1, 1986. Some 1,000 individuals were
killed during the crisis. The MRD organized demonstrations against the government
in Lahore and Rawalpindi on January 29 and March 23, 1986. Some 40 individuals
were killed during political violence throughout the country on August 14-31, 1986.
After martial law ended in December 1985, Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan in
April 1986, and was greeted by approximately 3 million supporters of the People’s
Party of Pakistan. It took her motorcade 10 hours to travel 12 kilometres from the
airport to the centre of Lahore
.
'The eight-mile drive from the airport to the Minar-i-Pakistan in Iqbal Park usually
takes 15 minutes. On the unbelievable day of April 10, 1986, it took us ten hours,'
Bhutto recalls in her 1988 memoir Daughter of the East. On arrival in Karachi, Bhutto
is scheduled to take her place at the head of a procession of PPP workers and
supporters, that will wind its way, over several hours, to a venue close to the tomb of
Mohammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan, where she will address the people and
make her first public pitch for power.

President Mohammad Zia ul-Haq of Pakistan and Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi of
India conferred at dinner this evening and expressed satisfaction at the way they had
defused a crisis over troop build ups on their border last month.
Officials said this evening that an Indian delegation would travel to Pakistan next
week to discuss the second phase of troop withdrawals at the border. The first
withdrawal, of 60,000 to 80,000 troops by each side, was completed last week.

On ​July 29, 1987, a few members of the Bhutto family and some of their friends
assembled at the London apartment of Sanam Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto’s sister.
Despite the unfortunate events the family had braved, Begum Nusrat Bhutto
appeared calm and composed. Among the guests were Hakim Ali Zardari, father of
Asif Zardari, and his wife. A photographer was in attendance too.
After some time, Benazir Bhutto broke the silence. “This is Asif Zardari, my fiancé.”
The next day, a picture of the ceremony and an accompanying news item appeared
in the media. Since she grew up in a liberal environment, her friends wondered why
her marriage had been arranged. Many columnists conjectured that perhaps Benazir
would retire from politics altogether after the wedding. On Feb 17, 1987, a huge
marriage ceremony was organised in Karachi that bound the two influential families
of the country into a relationship. Benazir Bhutto had married Asif Ali Zardari, son of
Hakim Ali Zradari, a businessman and landowner. It was an arranged marriage,
something stunning for Oxford and Harvard graduate Benazir but she had her
reasons for that.

For 1898

Background (1989):
Democracy returned again in 1988 after the general elections which were held
after the death of President General Zia-ul-Haq. The elections marked the return of
Peoples Party back into the power whose leader, Benazir Bhutto, became the first
female Prime minister of Pakistan as well as the first female head of government in a
Muslim-majority country. This period, lasting until 1999, introduced the parliamentary
system and competitive two-party democracy in the country, featuring a fierce
competition between Centre-right conservatives led by Nawaz Sharif and centre-left
socialists directed by Benazir Bhutto.

Events:
Benazir Bhutto presided over the country during the penultimate times of Cold
war, and cemented pro-Western policies due to common distrust of communism. Her
government oversaw the successful troop evacuation of Soviet Union from
neighboring Communist Afghanistan. Soon after the evacuation, the alliance with the
U.S. came to end when the secret of a successful clandestine atomic bomb project
was revealed to the world which led to imposition of economic sanctions by the
United States. In 1989, she ordered a military intervention in Afghanistan that brutally
failed, leading her to depose the directors of the intelligence services. With offing
American aid to the country, she hastily imposed the 7th Plan to restore the national
economy while centralizing the economy. Nonetheless, the economic situation
worsened when the state currency of Pakistan lost the currency war with India. The
country significantly entered an era of stagflation during this period, and her
government was soon dismissed by the conservative President Ghulam Ishaq Khan.
● January 19: Students unions are restored in Punjab & won by IJT(Islami
Jamiat-e-Talaba)
● May 26: Chief Lt. Gen. Hameed Gul is replaced by Shamsur Rahman Kallu
● October 1: Pakistan rejoins commonwealth
● October 20: SAF games open in Pakistan
● November 1: No-confidence move against Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto
failed.