Benazir Bhutto 1st Tenure (2nd December 1988- 6th August 1990)

She was the daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and had attendant Harvard and Oxford Universities.
Her father Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was removed from office following a military
Coup in 1977 led by the then chief of Army General Muhammad Zia-Ul-Haq and Zulfiqar Ali
Bhutto was hanged on 4th April 1979. Appeals for clemency were dismissed by acting president
general Zia. Benazir Bhutto and her mother were held in a “Police camp” until the end of May.
She later negotiated with PNA and formed anti Zia Alliance MRD (Movement for Restoration of
Democracy) and had to go through imprisonment and house arrest for next 6 years until 1984
when Zia under International pressure allowed for her to travel to London on medical ground.
She had become the chairperson of PPP in 1984 and succeeded her mother Nusrat Bhutto. After
the tragic death of zia ul haq elections were announced and Benazir came to Pakistan to contest
elections. Upon her arrival she received and unprecedented reception from the people of Pakistan
and almost couple of millions people gathered on the streets of Lahore to welcome her.

2nd December 1988: Benazir Bhutto became the Prime Minister of Pakistan defeating Islami
Jamhuri Itehad (IJI) led by Nawaz Sharif.

President Ishaq Khan asked Benazir Bhutto to form the government which PPP did alliance with
MQM. Since both the parties represented Sindh province, IJI had strong government in the
Punjab. Benazir also did not have much support from NWFP and Balochistan. Benazir at age 35
became the youngest person and the first woman to head the Government of a Muslim majority
state in modern times. During her first tenure she tried to bring about change through her reforms
in Pakistan.

Positives Reforms of Benazir’s first tenure:

 First woman to head a government of a Muslim nation

 Secured transfer of already purchased US weapons (F 16)
 Ended a ban on trade unions and released political prisoners,
 restored students’ unions
 Pakistan re-joined the Commonwealth and hosted the 4th SAARC which ended with
Pakistan and India signing 3 peace agreements
 Visited USA and improved relations and assure continues AID to Pakistan
  relations with India normalised and the an agreement of no attack on nuclear installations
was signed
 South Asian games were successfully held.
 Pakistan acquired sixty F-16 planes from USA and Pakistan also started indigenous
aircraft production.
 she managed to get approvals from China for 500 million dollars of interest free loan for
Pakistan and 1 million dollar from Russia for extension of Pakistan Steel Mills
 30% increase in production of Oil and Gas.
 Electricity was supplied to 4000 villages in 20 months
 40000 industrial workers previously sacked were reinstated and Labour wages were
increased twice and Labour were given the right of pension after retirement.
 The new Haj Policy was adopted and over 100 thausand people were sent to perform Hajj
in 1990 and Hajj flights were initiated from Lahore and Islamabad
 She also lifted the laws aimed at Press censorship for more freedom.

Failures of Benazir’s 1st Tenure:

 Zia-ul-Haq got 8th amendment passed from Parliament giving president a power to
dismiss P.M. Benazir tried to repeal it but was unsuccessful and became a victim of 8th
amendment.

 Conflict with Nawaz Sharif and problems with relations with growth of Separatist
movements

 Difference over appointment of judges between Bhutto and President

Ghulam Ishaq
 No confidence motion by opposition – failed but damaging
 Inflation and unemployment increased
 Drug trafficking was increased
 Use of family members in government on higher posts made her mother a federal
minister and her father in law, chairman of public account committee
 She and her husband Asif Ali Zardari were blamed for not controlling corruption in
government rather indulging in corruption
 19 corruption cases were filed against the couple including money laundering, kickbacks
and Swiss accounts
 MQM called for strikes in Karachi protesting abduction of their workers by PPP,
 Operations against MQM in Sindh
 MQM had withdrawn it support for PPP.
 Attempt to remove Nawaz from Punjab government leading to more conflicts and chaos
October 1989: Nawaz Sharif organized a No-Confidence motion in National Assembly but was
short of just 12 votes in dismissing Benazir. The opposition got 107 out of 237 seats.

She had disagreements with President Ishaq Khan over the appointment of some judges and
army positions.

She tried to move away from pro-Islamic policies of General Zia. She allowed trade unions,
students’ unions and took steps towards spreading electricity in rural areas. However, the
population growth, inflation and unemployment were the major threats to her government.

On the other hand, Pakistan had good relations with US and entered Commonwealth Group
again. She hosted the fourth SAARC Summit Conference bringing India and Pakistan close.
During the first tenure of Benazir Bhutto, Pakistani Kashmiris has an uprising in the Indian
Kashmir.

Dismissal of Benazir

30th September 1988: Problems between MQM and PPP started when 250 Muhaijrs were killed
in violence in Hyderabad. MQM ended its alliance with PPP in August 1989.

27th May 1990: Sindh government launched a crackdown in Hyderabad targeting MQM. About
31 women and children were killed in Pucca Qila Massacre. The blame of this was directly
subjected towards the PPP PLACEING Benazir into more complex situation

Benazir Bhutto was dismissed by President Ghulam Ishaq Khan a senior member of PPP .on the
charges of corruption and bad governance. She asked for evidence and wanted investigation
against the decision. Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi was made the care taker Prime Minister and
elections were called in October 1990.

Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif 1st Tenure (6th November 1990- 18th
April 1993):
Nawaz Sharif won the elections under Islami Jamhuri Itehad. He was a senior member of
General Zia’s Government.Sharif aimed to strengthen Pakistan industrially.

Major reforms of Nawaz Sharif’s first tenure:

 He started the Privatization program and a number of major government owned

industries and companies were sold to private sector. almost 50 government owned
organization were privatized including Nation's largest bank MCB
  The Motorway Project was started.Took foreign loans which became a huge debt
 The Yellow Cab Taxi Scheme provided employment to many Pakistanis.
 Barotha Hydro Power Project was started.
 Gwadar mini Port project started with the aid of China.
 He vowed to eliminate corruption and bring Pakistan on right track
 He made national assembly pass a bill to Islamize the country and its regulations
according to Quran and Sunnah
 He made a Planning Commission to have reforms in education sector
 Afghan Accord was signed in Islamabad from different leaders of the Afghan tribes find a
way for a peaceful Afghanistan

1st Tenure Problems faced by Nawaz Sharif:

 He lost support because of the Co-operative Societies Scandal. They collected loans and
gave it to members. Sharif’s family, Ittefaq Group was blamed for having
mismanagement of billions of rupees.
 Jamaat-e-Islami had disagreement with Nawaz Sharif over Gulf War crisis and un
sponsored mutual government in Afghanistan. It withdrew it support for Nawaz Sharif
which was a blow for Nawaz Sharif government
 Nawaz Sharif liberalization and privatization of the economy was severally criticized by
different sections especially by Benazir called privatisation loot and blunder
 The Afghan migrants had brought the Kalashinkov Culture to Pakistan after the 1979
Russian Invasion of Afghanistan.
 The Shariat Bill was passed in May 1991 making Quran and the Sunna the law of the
land. It was disliked by his opponents.
 After the death of General Asif Nawaz, army chief of staff, Sharif wanted to nominate
the candidate of his choice. However, President Ishaq Khan appointed General Abdul
Waheed Kakar.
 Nawaz Sharif and Ishaq Khan also had issued over the Eighth Amendment which gave
power to the President to dismiss Prime Minister and the Assembly anytime.
 Tensions with MQM as it blamed Nawaz for spending resources only in Punjab
neglecting Sindh.
 Sindh operation against MQM created misunderstanding with MQM and Nawaz Sharif.
 Benazir called for a long march to protest against the government and she was banned
from two major cities Karachi and Lahore this added to political turmoil in the country.
 The problem of power sharing with the president Ghulam Ishaq Khan became Fetal for
Nawaz Sharif government has GIK dismissed Nawaz Sharif’s government using 8th
amendment on the charges of corruption and inefficient government
Before 1993 Parliamentary election, President Ghulam Ishaq Khan on 18 April 1993, with the
support of the Pakistan Army, used his reserve powers (58-2b)  to dissolve the National
Assembly, the lower house. Nawaz Sharif, moved to Supreme Court of Pakistan. In May 26,
1993, Sharif returned to power after the Supreme Court ruled that the Presidential Order as
unconstitutional and reconstituted the National Assembly on its immediate effect. After weeks
of negotiations, both decided to resign with the fear of possible army invasion.

Chairman of the Senate, Wasim Sajjad, replaced Ishaq Khan and Moenuddin Ahmed Qureshi
became the caretaker Prime Minister. Elections were called for October 1993.

Benazir Bhutto 2nd Tenure (19th October 1993- 5th November 1996)

Major Reforms of Benazir Bhutto:

 Entered into co-operative arrangements with United States re United Nations’

peacekeeping operations. 5000 troops to Somalia
 Some reduction in Pakistan’s trade deficit
 Slight rise in foreign exchange reserves
 GDP growth increased to 5.2% and tax to GDP ratio increased from 7.8% to 14% and
that was the good sign for the economy
 State Bank was made more autonomous
 Fibre optics was laid down on right Bank of Indus River to provide communication
facilities to the rural areas and Electricity was provided to thousands of villages.
 Scheme began to eliminate polio diseases in the country with the help of WHO
 Loan and grant assistance from World Bank and IMF
 United States lifted economic and military sanctions
 Hillary Clinton visited Pakistan.
 She started the First Women Development Bank.
 Women police station was also established for the very first time.
 she opened energy sector for foreign investors. Established and signed a deal with
Hubco electricity generation.following the same policies on privatization which she
condemned
 She attended the OIC meetings in Casablanca and for the first time or resolution was
passed in the platform of OIC demanding Kashmir issue to be resolved according to the
UN resolution
 In 1996 Taliban government was established in Afghanistan and Benazir government
recognized and thought that the Taliban government would be beneficial for Pakistan
despite International opposition.
Problems faced by Benazir Bhutto:

 Nawaz Sharif asked for an accountability bill to be passed from national assembly and
when she resisted Nawaz Sharif asked for a nationwide referendum for government
accountability
 In 1994, Sharif began a ‘train march’ and gave violent speeches against corruption and
weak government policies.
 In September 1996, brother of Benazir Bhutto, Murtaza Bhutto was killed in a police
ambush in Karachi. He had been working against Benazir and his murder raised many
questions on the government’s accountability.
 Kashmir tension increased with the inflow of Mujahideen from Pakistan
 Prosecution of opposition members was increased
 Swiss Bank scandal
 Terrorism/bombings 1995. 2000 people murdered
 Unemployment/inflation
 Unrest in army/arrest of 40 army officers in 1995
 Chief Minister of Punjab dismissed
 operation against MQM in Karachi and Sindh under the command of general Nasrullah
Babar and political appointment especially from MQM were victimized
 IMF concerns 1996 follows devaluation of Pakistan rupee. Balance of payments
worsened
 The 30% decline in the value of rupee and privatization policy was considered a serious
threat to the economy.
 Benazir’s husband, Asif Ali Zardari was accused of making his fortune and his corruption
was a harm to Benazir’s government.
 wide scale corruption in all department of the Government and Pakistan peaked in
corruption rating according to transparency International.
 The growing rift between the president Farooq Ahmed Khan Laghari and Benazir and it
resulted in the dismissal of Benazir’s government on serious charges of corruptions,
mismanagement and malpractices

President Farooq Leghari had promised to revoke the Eighth Amendment but he did not. He
dismissed Benazir from the office on 5th November 1996 on the charges of corruption and bad
governance by using the same 8th amendment.

Malik Meraj Khalid became the caretaker Prime Minister. Elections were held in February 1997
in which Pakistan Muslim League won and Nawaz Sharif became the Prime Minister for second
time.
Nawaz Sharif’s 2nd Tenure (17th February 1997- 12th October 1999)
Nawaz Sharif became the next Prime Minister with a huge majority in the Assembly. won
almost 90% of the total votes cast in 1997 election and two third of the National Assembly seats

He repealad the controversial it Amendment from constitution so that the president can no
longer dismiss the Prime Minister. He also made sure that party leaders could dismiss the
legislatures if they failed to vote according to party’s command. This put an end to Horse
Trading in Parliament.

Major Reforms of Nawaz Sharif’s 2nd Tenure:

 He opened the capital markets for foreign investor’s made privatization commission and
Planning Commission to help Pakistan grow on Sustainable basis.
 He abolished the Friday holidays so that Pakistani businesses could work on
international pattern
 invite Indian P.M Vajpayee to Lahore and sign a declaration on meenar -e- Pakistan to
resolve the issues with India
 Lahore to Islamabad motorway was open for public traffic in 1998.
 made Pakistan 7th, atomic power of the world on 28th, may 1998,despite international
pressure in response to India atomic tests improving his popularity
 He started the Space Commission Programme.

Problems faced by Nawaz Sharif in 2nd Tenure:

Nawaz Sharif passed Thirteenth Amendment revoking the authority of the President to dismiss
the Prime Minister and the Assembly. He also took away the power of appointing the chiefs of
staff.

The Fourteenth Amendment (The Anti Defection Bill) was also passed which stopped political
people to switch political parties. The Fifteenth Amendment allowed Shariah as the main law of
the country.

Reasons for dismissal of Nawaz Shareef

 Nawaz Sharif’s tax inspections became a news and a Journalist, Najam Sethi was
kidnapped by Nawaz’s private police. He was later released.
 Nawaz Sharif’s supporters stormed Supreme Court against a case of corruption. Justice
Sajjad Ali Shah was forced to suspend the case.
 Introducing shariat bill was seen as attempt to become Ameer ul Momineen
  Nawaz Sharif had to face difficulty when the Senate questioned on the imposition of
Shariah Law.
 He had imposed a Governor Raj in Sind and had dissolved the provincial assembly over
the issue with MQM
 He started on operation against MQM over the target killing of Hakeem Muhammad
Saeed
 Nawaz Sharif had opposed Chief of Army Staff, Jahangir Karamat, for his involvement in
National Security Council. Later he was replaced by General Pervez Musharraf.
 General Musharaf began an operation in Kargil Indian occupied territory in Kashmir
without the consent of P.M that brought the two nuclear powers India and Pakistan on
brink of War.
 Nawaz wanted an enquiry over Kargil and had cold relations with Musharaf
 He attempted to Remove Musharraf from power while he was on flight coming back
from Sri Lanka

Kargil incident turned out be a major mistake by Nawaz Sharif when he called the army to step
down and thus had to face opposition by General Pervez Musharraf. On 12th October 1999,
while Musharraf was flying back from Sri lanka, the ‘Plane Conspiracy’ took place when Nawaz
Sharif ordered the Civil Aviation Authority not giving permission to the plane to land in Karachi.
The army took control of the country and asked Nawaz Sharif to surrender. Nawaz Sharif was
arrested.

Later, Nawaz Sharif along with his family was exiled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the
request of Saudi Royal Family.

Description of Important events During Benazir and Nawaz Shareef’s government

Cooperative society scandal

Co-operative societies accepted money from members. and could make loans for purpose that
were to the benefit of the society and its members. MiS management of these led to a major
collapse in which millions of Pakistan is lost money by 1992. In Nawaz Sharif’s State of Punjab,
700,000 poor people lost all their savings when the societies went bankrupt. The societies had
loaned billions of rupees to Nawaz Sharif’s family businesses. He repaid the loans but his
reputation was damaged and was one of the reasons why he lost office the following year 1993.

Pacca Qila Massacre

 May 1990, in Hyderabad 40 supporters of MQM killed by police. women and children's
included.PPP government was held responsible for this act.MQM opposition to government
increased the violence led to the President (Ghulam Ishaq Khan) dismissing her government in
August 1990

Benazir Bhutto Rule 1988–1990 and 1993–1996:

Successes:
>Restored Political System and democracy In Pakistan by ending ban on trade and
student unions during Zia’s time. Released Political Prisoners. Thus provided freedom
of speech and restored political and democracy system in Pakistan.
>Set up first woman bank for females. Created job opportunities for females and helped
protect their rights in a very male dominated society.
>Started Integrated Research Programme on missile development in Pakistan. First
military satellite “Badr-1” with the help of the Chinese. Thus provided missile system
and satellite surveillance to Pakistan Army, thus successful.
th
>She hosted the 4 SAARC conference in 1988 in Islamabad. All member countries
attended, as well as Rajiv Gandhi (Indian Prime Minister). Thus improved relations with
India and created census on major issues like narcotics/drugs.
Failures:
>Problems of unemployment, inflation, poorhealth and education increased. She
had originally made promises to stop the spread of these but ultimately failed in
doing anything. Thus the people were disillusioned the Pakistani People who
stopped supporting her.
>Serious Conflict with President Ghulam Ishaq Khan on appointment issue. The
president had discretionary powers to appoint armed forces chiefs and judges of
superior court, but Benazir wanted to appoint these herself. This refusal by president
created tension between both and weakened political system in Pakistan.
>Confrontation with Nawaz Sharif, who was heading the opposition alliance (IJI Islami
Jamuri Itihad). They made the government in Punjab and he became Chief Minister.
Political opposition increased so much that they both wanted to remove each other from
power, this confrontational path against opposing parties further weakened Benazir’s
political system.
>She faced Corruption on nepotism charges, her husband (Zardari) was accused of
corruption, bribery, blackmailing and kickbacks. Her mother was appointed as the senior
Minister with a portfolio, and her father in law was chairman of the parliamentary public
accounts committee. These charges badly effected her reputation and opposition
exploited these charges against her to eventually remove her from.
Why did Benazir fall from office in 1990?
>She faced Corruption on nepotism charges, her husband (Zardari) was accused of
corruption, bribery, blackmailing and kickbacks. Her mother was appointed as the senior
Minister with a portfolio, and her father in law was chairman of the parliamentary public
accounts committee. These charges badly effected her reputation and opposition
exploited these charges against her and thus justified Ghulam Ishaq’s dismissal of her.
>Serious Conflict with President Ghulam Ishaq Khan on appointment issue. The
president had discretionary powers to appoint armed forces chiefs and judges of
superior court, but Benazir wanted to appoint these herself. This refusal by president
created tension between both he dismissed her to retain his own powers.
>In 1988 PPP was able to get a majority but could not form its own govt. It made the
govt center In Sindh Province with MQM but this coalation started to crumble on
issues, such as the promotion of Sindhi language and people. This led to serious
violence where people died (Pacca Qila). Shealso faced policy of confrontation from
Nawaz Shrif, who was chief minister of Punjab and opposed her rule fiercely. The
spread of violence and killing disabled Sindh (largest trade/industrial hub), and fierce
non co operation from Punjab justified president’s dismissal of her.

Why did Benazir fall from office for a second time in 1996?
>Benazir succeeded Zulfikar, but had a feud with Nusrat Bhutto who wanted Mir
Murtaza as head of PPP and successor as PM on his return from long exile in 1993.
He put up fierce opposition against her govt and against Asif Ali Zardari. He was killed
in 1996 near his house by Sindh Police, this high profile murder/lawlessness justified
Farooq Ahmed Leghari’s actions of dismissing her govt.
>Nawaz Sharif of PMLN gave her fierce opposition. He along with mir Murtaza
Bhutto organized opposition against her, and the started the “Train march” from
Karachi to Peshawar in 1994-1995. Nawaz was able to gather much attention, and
targeted the poor economic performance of Benazir’s govt and Zardari’s corruption.
He also organized labour and industrial strikes in 1994. This spread of violence and
killing in major city under these strikes made her arrest her opposition leaders, this
made her politically weak and unpopular and led to Legari dismissing her,.
>She clashed with the Superior courts and their judges. In 1996, the Supreme Court
and 4 provincial high courts ordered the sacking of 24 judges appointed by her govt.
The Supreme Court further ordered the federal government to appoint judges on
permanent basis rather than on an acting basis and also to take seniority of judges
into account with their appointments. This dismissal created a political crisis as two
highest pillars of state were in a dispute thus making the whole political system weaker
and invited criticism, lending strength to her opposition.
 NAWAZ SHARIF
Successes:
>Started national reconstruction programme to develop industries, reversing the effects
of Z.A Bhutto’s nationalization policy. Pore than 50 industrial units and two banks and
PTCL were privatized.
…The burden on the national treasury was removed and the confidence of
private sector was restored.
>Initiated Ghazi Barotha Hydro Power Project + Gawadar Mini port on Makran coast..
This hydropower project could produce 1450MW. Stimulated the economy with the
help of large scale projects.
>Constructed the motorway beween Islamabad and Lahore, first motorway in South
Asia. This facilitated Industries and reduced burden on existing road network and
improved transport sector.
>Addressed important federal issues, the water apportionment accord (solved 4
province water distribution problem) award of National finance commission. (settled
issue of revenue distribution). Thus stopped dispute at Federal level between provinces
and center that were long lasting.
th th
>Introduced 13 amendment. Repealed 8 amendment, which had given unfair
powers to the president to dismiss Prime Ministers, cabinet, assemblies. Had been
used to dismiss 4 PMs. It brought back the original shape of the 1973 constitution, and
provided political stability to Pakistan.
Failures:
>Co operative societies were state owned and accepted by deposits from members and
provided them with loans for business. But this failed due to mismanagement and funds
went to Sharif’s family. Savings of the poor were wasted and Nawazu’s reputation was
damaged.
>Shariat Bill was passed in 1991 to make Quran and Sunnah the law but there was little
done to enforce the law. The bill was criticized by political opponents because of
Islam’s increased role in the govt, and no concrete measures were taken to enforce the
laws so religious parties opposed it. The opposition was a major failure.
th
>Conflicted with President Ishaq Khan in 1993, as he wanted to appeal the 8
amendment which reduced president’s powers and wanted to appoint his own army
chief but Ishaq placed General Abdul Waheed Kakar before he could. Thus tension
and clashes between these and foundation weakened of govt. It became a major cause
of ending Nawaz’s rule and thus a failure.
>General Jahangir Karamt was dismissed by Nawaz due to his suggestions being
considered military intervention. The dismissal of this 4 star general damaged
civil military relationship and paved the way for a military coup.
Why Nawaz Sharif fell from office in 1993:
>The Prime Minister failed to transport the Yellow cab scheme in which taxi drivers
would get soft loans and installments. This was a failures because people didn’t return
the installments, causing a major economic crisis to the governments and invited
much criticism from the opposition. Became a major reason for his 1993 dismissal.
>State owned co operative societies accepted deposits from members and game them
laons in time of need, but this was exploited by Nawazu and his family gained the
money of the people. His reputation began to fall and he was dismissed because of this.
th
>Conflicted with President Ishaq Khan in 1993, as he wanted to appeal the 8
amendment which reduced president’s powers and wanted to appoint his own army
chief but Ishaq placed General Abdul Waheed Kakar before he could. Thus tension and
clashes between these and foundation weakened of govt. It became a major cause of
ending Nawaz’s rule and thus a failure.
Why did Musharraf come to power in 1999/Nawz fall from power in 1999?
>Plane conspiracy became an immediate reason for his dismissal as when the
Musharraf was returning from an official tour to Sri Lanka his plan was not allowed to
land. In this time, he replaced Musharraf with the then ISI chief Zaiuddin Butt. But corps
commanders didn’t accept it and took over Karachi airport and Prime Minister, and PTV.
This humiliating practice angered the top part of the army and they retaliated to
dislodge Nawazu.
>Military started covert operation with the help of local fighters and captures heights of
Kargil and Drass region in india. Nawaz blamed Musharraf for this, and accused military
of hiding this from him. International pressure forced him to withdraw. The withdrawel
from US pressure and army blame created serious differences between civil and govt.
and the army leading to a military coup.
>General Jahangir Karamt was dismissed by Nawaz due to his suggestions being
considered military intervention. The dismissal of this 4 star general damaged
civil military relationship and paved the way for a military coup.