Out of 75 years of Pakistan’s history approximately 33
years ruled by military directly and the remaining years military remained hegemonic force behind the political affairs of the country.
The main reason behind the military intervention is
the inefficiency and weakness of political leadership of the country, which paved the way for the military involvement in the politics of state. Due to this military enjoyed a major role in the political affairs of Pakistan. The Role of Military in Politics: Military is the most organized and disciplined institution in a state structure. The Main functions of this institution are two, i.e. 1. To defend the country from any attack dictated from outside. 2. To support the government in maintaining law and order within the territorial jurisdiction of the state. It only happens when government asks for their help. It is generally in emergencies (natural calamities, accidents or politico- economics crises). Sometimes while performing the latter function, the military displaces the political rulers, take over power and becomes actual sovereign. Different opinion about Military rule: There is difference of opinion among the scholars about the impact of military rule in politics and society. A large number of scholars said that military’s intervention in politics is a positive development. It would create necessary conditions for the protection of liberal democratic institutions and facilitate economic development, social change and national integration.
However on the other hand, a number of writers are very much
critical of military’s direct or indirect indulgence in politics. A study, comparing data of 77 third world states during 1966-70, concluded that the military is not necessary an agent of change. Its performance in the field of modernization and change was not very much different from that of civilian regimes. Most of the states experiencing military coups are poor and developing nations. Factors Responsible for the Military Interventions: Early death of Quaid-i- Azam and untimely assassination of Liaquat Ali
Khan left the country with leaders who scrapped to obtain powers of the
government. In doing so, political elite tried to seek and manipulate
support of the weak bureaucracy and string army.
Bureaucratic personnel like Ghulam Muhammad, Ch. Mohammad Ali and
many others; Sikandar Mirza, Ayub Khan, Azam Khan and other from the
disciplined institution of the military became active political leaders.
Horse-trading crept in; the price-hike, inflation and unemployment became a feature of the time. Political Instability created a gap, which could have been bridged either with bureaucracy or military. As the bureaucracy was weak, therefore, the ambitious military generals were tempted to take over to tame the wild forces of politics.
These factors contribute to disappointment and frustration in society,
which increases hostility of the masses from the government, decreases the efficiency of the government thereby encouraging political instability and undermining economic development and social change to the extent that political leaders find it hard to improve the conditions of the masses. The brutal circle goes on. Military & Politics in Pakistan: Since Pakistan’s inception, the military has taken over four times: Hassan Askari, Cohen, Ziring, Huntington and a couple of others have studied and analyzed this phenomenon and they tried to encompass the phenomenon in Pakistan. Hasan Askari’s book on Military and Politics in Pakistan has explained it with the help of different hypothesis in order to discuss it in a comprehensive way. Out of 75 years of the existence of Pakistan, approximately 33 years the military remained in power. Ayub Khan’s Era: The Development of Political System 1958-1969 General Sikandar Mirza, the President of the country imposed Marshal Law. General Ayub Khan was appointed as the Chief Marshal Law Administrator on 7th October 1958.
Ayub Khan industrialized the country and formulated
policies to enhance business. The World Bank gave a positive report regarding economic development. Democratization also contributed towards politicization and development of the society. In the industrial and agriculture sectors GDP was increased to an extent that McNamara wrote in the World Bank report that if Pakistan would continue with the same GDP, Pakistan would be in the developed countries of the world within a decade. He introduced many steps in the country. 1962 Presidential Constitution System of basic democracies was introduced. Controlled Politics EBDO Reformation of Conventional Muslim League 1962 Shifting of Capital 1967 Family Law Ordinance 1961 Second Five years Plan 1960-65 This plan gave highest priority to agriculture, industry and science. This plan increase 20% income and in agriculture sector growth rate increased from 1.43 to 5.1 %. Sindh Tass Treaty 1960. Green Revolution Ayub Khan Era Industrialization Export Bonus Voucher Scheme Construction of Dams 1965 War Tashkent Declaration 1965 Presidential Election COP The political parties who were out-distanced and defeated
formed a coalition and launched agitation politics, the
embedded discontentment and hatred of Bengali, instead of being removed, became aggravated. Ayub Khan tried to bridge the gap, but failed.
The military regime could not control the situation and
Ayub Khan was compelled to leave that office. It was a
conception of some analysts that he wanted to handover authority to the speaker of the National Assembly, but General Yahyah Khan did not let him do it. He imposed marshal law and took over the authority. Yahya Khan Regime 1969-1977 Martial Law Declared The legal Framework Order General Election 1970 Civil War in East Pakistan Fall of Dakkha Yahya Khan Resigned Yahya Khan 1969-1971 Martial Law declared Ayub Khan resigned on 26th March 1969. Yahya Khan assume power as being the president and CMLA. General Yahya Khan, after becoming the defecto sovereign, announced that he would hold elections and would transfer power to the elected representatives. In order to please the opposition, he abrogated the constitution, put an end to basic Democracies dismembered one unit and terminated services of many bureaucrats. He introduced Legal Framework Order on March 28th, 1970, the primary function of which was to provide a set up on which election code is conducted. Legal Framework Order 1970 It called for direct elections for a unicameral central legislature. The NA would comprised of 300 seats with proportional representation from East and West Pakistan. The NA would stand dissolved if it failed to produce the constitution within 120 days after its first sitting. The president, was given power to authenticate amend or reject the constitution. General Elections 1970 First General elections for 300 seats of NA were scheduled for October 1970 but postponed and finally held in December 07, 1970. Rift in East and West Pakistan was appeared during Election campaign. Awami League (AL) in East Pakistan and PPP in West Pakistan succeeded in getting majority of seats in the elections. AL obtained almost all seats from East Pakistan and was declared majority party. General Yahyah Khan perhaps wanted to be accepted as the head of the state and the PPP wished to be the ruling party and tried to manipulate to keep AL out of power parlor. The democratic process was blocked as the transfer of power was delayed, which propagated feelings of distrust.
Consequently, agitational movement started in East Pakistan.
The government made efforts to control the situation through political tactics and military strategy, but failed. Agitational politics changed into an independence movement. Civil War in East Pakistan The Beginning Inaugural session of the newly elected National Assembly was scheduled on 3rd March. Z.A Bhutto warned his newly elected delegates do not attend the session. Due to the pressure from west Pakistan Yahya Khan postponed the inaugural session. March 15-24 negotiations between Sheikh Mujeeb and Z.A Bhutto began at Dhakka which were failed. Civil War……. Mujeeb ul Reman demanded transfer of Power. There were strikes and demonstrations throughout East Pakistan. The federal government lost control over East Pakistan. Mukti Bahinai (Liberation Force) Was Bengali resistance force from East Pakistan, who fought against the Pakistani army during Bangladesh Liberation War. It consisted of Bengali members of Pakistan armed forces and civilian from East Pakistan. India provided economic, military and diplomatic support to East Pakistan. Operation Searchlight March 26, 1971 independence of Bangladesh was announced. To restore the authority of central govt army crackdown on East Pakistan. Dhakka University was special target. Many leaders of Awami League including Sheikh Mujeeb was arrested. Severe violation of Human Rights was observed. Fall of Dhakka On November 21 India attack East Pakistan it was to support Awami League. India also attacked west Pakistan On 16 December 1971 Pakistan army surrendered. Yahya Khan Resigned Bhutto step in On 20th December 1971 Yahya Khan resigned. Power was transferred to Z.A Bhutto who was declared as a President, Chief Martial Law Administrator, and Chief of Army Staff. Mujeeb was declared President of Bangladesh. General Zia-ul-Haq 1977-88 1977 Elections Events after Elections Uprising of Zia-ul-Haq Islamisation Soviet Invasion Effects of Soviet Union Ojhri camp incidents 1977 Elections PPP won more seats than Pakistan National Alliance (PNA). PNA refused to accept the results PPP and PNA clash and economic decline. Destabilized the state. General Zia-ul-Haq: General Zia-ul-Haq, one of the most trusted general of Zulifqar Ali Bhutto, the Prime Minister, wrapped up the game of civilian politics. He removed the elected government.
He only suspended the constitution of 1973, promised
for election, but more keenly stated that Pakistan was an Islamic Republic; therefore, it should have an Islamic texture and character. He Partly introduced some of the Islamic injunctions, like Hadood Ordinance; collection of Zakat and Usher; recognition of Muslim Auquaf and salaried Ullemas and Maulvis. It was an act of Islamization as most of the writers believe. Islamization Zia ul Haq supported the movement for Islamization Imposed Zakat and Usher Hadood Laws and Shariah Benches Federal Shariat Court Riba was prohibited Introduced Islamic punishment for all crimes except murder Boost religious parties Banned political parties Madrassah Culture Soviet Invasion In December 1979 Soviet invaded Afghanistan in order to prop up the communist govt. United States pro capitalist bloc supported Afghan population against USSR. Pakistan fought proxy war on behalf of America against USSR in Afghanistan. Soviet Invasion Effects Afghan refugees in Pakistan Talibanization Introduction of Klashinkov and drug cultures. Events Occur after Soviet Invasion Nuclear Program MRD Referendum for President 1985 Elections Non party parliament was introduced. Muhammad Khan Junejo a Prime Minister. 8th amendment 1985 martial law was lifted but Zia remained President and Chief of Army staff. Ojhri Camp Incident Sectarianism The only issue that Zia’s government capitalized on was Afghanistan crisis. He fought proxy war for United States against Soviet Union in Afghanistan. In this context, he openly or secretly obtained enormous amount to help Afghan refugees or Mujahideen; managed to develop nuclear capabilities; save Pakistan from regional covert designs and managed to get US grant of 4.02 billion dollars.
Zia's major domestic initiatives included the state's
Islamization, the consolidation of the fledgling nuclear program, and denationalization and deregulation leading to a revived economy. His tenure saw the disbanding of the Baloch insurgency, as well as the condensation of civil and political liberties. His endorsement of rightwing political party Pakistan Muslim League initiated its mainstream revival. However, he is most remembered for his foreign policy; the subsidizing of the Mujahideen movement during the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Pervaiz Musharraf Coup (1999-2008) In October, 1999 senior officers who were loyal to army chief Gen. Pervez Musharraf detained prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his ministers after upsetting the Sharif regime's attempt to dismiss Musharraf and prevent his plane from landing in Pakistan as he returned from a visit to Sri Lanka. The reason of his martial law was the Kargil issue.
He ruled Pakistan as Chief Executive from 1999 to 2001
and as President from 2001 to 2008. Facing impeachment, he preferred to resign on 18 August 2008. Major Steps and Events Referendum 2001 9/11 Event 2002 General Elections Formation of HEC 2002 Devolution Plan Earth Quick 2005 Lal Masjid Incident 2007 NRO PCO NAB Unsuccessful Attempts There have been numerous unsuccessful coup attempts in Pakistani history. The first noted attempt was the Rawalpindi Conspiracy in 1949 led by Maj. Gen. Akbar Khan along with left-wing activists and sympathetic officers against the government of Liaquat Ali Khan, Pakistan's first prime minister. In 1980, a plot by Maj. Gen. Tajammul Husain Malik to assassinate Zia-ul-Haq on Pakistan Day on March 23, 1980 was exposed. In 1995, a coup attempt against the government of Benazir Bhutto led by Maj. Gen. Zahirul Islam Abbasi with the support of Islamic extremists was stopped. CONCLUSION: Military intervention in political affairs is the phenomenon of third world countries, the nations who have got independence from their colonial masters. Military being most disciplined and trained institution often captures power from civilian leadership. The reasons are enormous. Most important are the Political instability and mismanagement of society by the civilian leadership. Pakistan is also an example of those countries that have experienced military coups frequently. General Zia-ul-Haq captures power from Zulifqar Ali Bhutto in 1977 and imposed Martial Law. The main reason was that political leadership was failed to decide their affairs by themselves. After the General elections of 1977 Bhutto was accused of having rigging at a very larger scale. The opposition alliance of the county stated a country wise movement against him. This provided an opportunity to military to step in. With that military regime of Zia has started which has ended after his mysteries death in a plane crash in 1988. Out of 75 years of Pakistan’s life 33 years the military directly reined the country. Approximately 5 years were taken by interim governments (holding of elections and transferring of powers) and 22 years of the civilian authority. Of these 22 of years, 11 years the military was indirectly influencing the country’s politics.