The Period of Troika

1988-1999
 What is meant by period of Troika
• The troika is an old Russian vehicle pulled by three horses. In political and
administrative terms, the word is used to describe a group of three persons or
agents working together.
• In Pakistani politics, troika is used to describe the action of three forces i.e the
military-bureaucratic alliance, the Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League.

• From 1988-1999, Pakistan Peoples Party led by Benazir Bhutto came into power
and were dismissed by the actions of a strong military with the support of civil
bureaucracy.
• Thus, tensions between the two political parties and the military from 1988 to
1999 are known as troika in Pakistani politics
 PPP’S first tenure in office
• In the elections held after Zia Ul Haq, Peoples Party led by Benazir Bhutto
won 94 seats in the National Assembly

• With the cooperation of MQM and members from FATA (now part of KPK),
Peoples Party formed the government

• Pakistan Muslim League and Jamat-e-Islami formed IJI which was a coalition
of three other political parties which formed the opposition
 PPP’S FIRST TERM IN OFFICE
• Peoples Party came into power in the wake of mass anti Zia movement led by
Benazir Bhutto.

• The party in line with its election promises undertook several welfare programs
• The party undertook a massive employment drive meant to end unemployment
in the country.

• The party also sought to follow an independent foreign policy. SAARC summit
was held in Pakistan. Rajiv Gandhi, the prime minister of India visited Pakistan.
The relations with India seemed to have been normalizing.

• The relations with the United States also were bettered.

 Dissolution of Assemblies and Ending of First term of PPP
• Serious differences arose between the Peoples Party and the military over the
appointment of military chiefs and the judges of the supreme court.

• These differences could not have been dissolved and the government of PPP
was dismissed by the then President Ghulam Ishaque Khan on corruption
charges.

• The President used the notorious 8th amendment to the constitution to

exercise his power to dissolve national assemblies.

• A care taker set up was formed and new elections were held in 1990. PPP
government could last only for two years.
 Nawaz Sharif in Office
• The new elections were held in 1990 in which Nawaz Sharif was elected as the
prime minister.
• Nawaz Sharif tried to modernize the economy through infrastructure projects
such as motorway.
• Other projects included Ghazi Barotha Dam, the yellow cab scheme and the
development of Murree.

• Once again, Ghulam Ishaque Khan exercised his powers to dissolve assemblies
at the behest of the army.
• New elections were held and this time PPP came into power.
 Peoples Party’s second term in office
• Peoples Party’s second term in office was marked by stiff resistance from Nawaz
Sharif and the military-bureaucratic alliance .
• Peoples Party still managed to put together social reform programs
• Kisan Bank programs was introduced to provide loans to rural women. Tractors
were provided to rural farmers. Women Police stations were established

• Benazir Bhutto paid visits to Iran and Turkey and gathered support for Kashmir
• In the meantime, Nawaz Sharif led a train march against the PPP government
• President Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari dismissed PPP government on corruption
charges in 1996
• New elections were held and Nawaz Sharif was again elected as the prime
minister
 Nawaz Sharif’s second term in office
• Nawaz Sharif’s second term in office could only live for three years.
• In these three years Pakistan went to War with India over Kargil.
• Nawaz Sharif did try to revive relations with India. Atal Bihari Vajpayi paid visit to
Pakistan. An agreement between the two prime ministers was signed in Lahore.
• The same year war broke out between India and Pakistan over Kargil leading to
heightening of tensions.
• In October 1999, the new military chief imposed martial law and Nawaz Sharif;s
government was dismissed
 Conclusion
• From 1988-1999, the power kept revolving between the elected governments
led by two parties and the powerful military establishment

• This had become the pattern. A party comes into power and the opposition
parties instead of respecting the mandate start conniving with different centers
of power to dismiss the government
Questions

• What is meant by period of troika?

• Why were democratic periods short-lived in Pakistan?