CONSTITUTIONAL/administrative REFORMS/ gov.

machinery

1960s (Ayub Khan)  1959: Basic Democracies in which ordinary citizens were elected to
union councils which in turn elected district and divisional councils
The 80k BDs gave him a vote of confidence in 1960. They were the
ones eligible to vote in future elections
 1962: Constitution. President to pass any laws he liked. He could
reject laws passed by NA.
 Controlled democracy: “democracy with discipline” Freedom of the
press limited. Political parties banned.
 EBDO: Anyone holding public office accused of misconduct or
corruption was given the choice to resign and retire from public life
or face a trial. If found guilty, they were banned from public office
till Dec 1966
1970s(Yahya  1962 Const. abrogated
Khan)  One Unit Scheme annulled
1970s (Bhutto)  1973 Constitution: Parliamentary democracy. Two-tier parliament
with Senate. Pakistan to be Islamic Republic. President to accept
the binding advice of PM and all his orders to be agreed by PM.
Elections to be held within 90 days of dissolution of Assemblies.
Army officials to take oath not to participate in political activities
 Civil Service revamped. New, young officials brought in. Old ones
removed. Hierarchical distinctions became less important as new
recruits could join at senior levels. Criticised by opponents
1980s (Zia)  1973 Const. suspended
 Islamisation
 Amendments: Article 48(gave automatic validity to all his actions),
would appoint PM w/o consultation, his actions would not be
subject to prosecution in future
 8th AMENDMENT: The bane of future governments till 1996. Gave
the President the right to dismiss PM and NA and the right to
appoint PM and prov. Governors.
1988-90 and 1993-  No legislation to repeal Islamisation laws and improve the condition
96 (Ms.Bhutto) of women due to IJI opposition in Senate and NA
1990-93 and 1997-  1991: Shariat Bill made Qur’an and Sunnah the law of the land as
99 (Nawaz Sharif) long as they did not challenge existing gov. system
 12TH AMENDMENT: ‘Speedy Trial Courts’ to dispense summary
justice because of deplorable law and order situation(Kalashnikov
Culture)
 13TH AMENDMENT(1997): Revocation of 8th amendment
 14TH AMENDMENT: Anti-Defection Bill to prevent politicians from
switching parties
 15TH AMENDMENT: Made Shariah supreme law of the country and
gave the PM the right to rule by decree in the name of Islamic
law(Senate not asked to ratify)