A brief overview of Pakistan's political history
Introduction
The Muslims of the subcontinent looked to Pakistan as their promised land. We won't go into detail on Pakistan's history in this essay. Instead, we shall talk about Pakistan's political history in this article.
On August 14, 1947, the entire globe witnessed a dream come true. Pakistan was only established after 90 years of relentless struggle and untold suffering.
There have been 22 prime ministers in Pakistan's political history, along with three coups d'état. A quasi-democratic state, according to critics, is Pakistan. According to nationalists, Pakistan has always been the target of foreign plots.
Dissidents assert that military authority is to blame for Pakistan's ills. Researchers and historians have already delved deeply into Pakistan's political past. As a result, we will only discuss the significant
incidents while attempting to determine what went wrong.
A Political History of Pakistan
The political history of Pakistan is often studied in stages. It lasts for 11 years, from 1947 to 1958, in the first phase. Beginning in 1958, the second phase lasts till Dhaka Fall. From 1971 to the evacuation of Russian soldiers from Afghanistan, the third and most crucial phase, took place.
The fourth phase is next, which had various upheavals until Musharraf imposed Martial Law in 1999. The growth of terrorist organisations and counterterrorism are the main topics of the fifth phase. The restoration of democracy to Pakistan is symbolised by the sixth phase.
Analysts claim that Pakistan is entering a new chapter of its political history as I write this essay. However, I won't regard this as another stage in Pakistan's political history.
Prior to the Crisis, Liaqat Ali Khan, Pakistan's first prime minister, was assassinated on October 16, 1951, and he died as a result. Following a series of prime ministers with brief terms, he passed away. Prime Ministers on this list include:
I am Khwaja Nazimuddin
M. Ali Bogra Chaudhary Ali Hussain Shaheed Suharwardy, Muhammad
Feroz Khan Noon, Ibrahim Ismail Chanrigar
Khwaja Nazimuddin
Mohammad Ali Bogra
Chaudhary Muhammad Ali
Hussain Shaheed Suharwardy
Ibrahim Ismail Chanrigar
Feroz Khan Noon
This period in Pakistan's political history was not stable. The economy of Pakistan did well. In 1956, Pakistan adopted its first constitution, which Iskandar Mirza later revoked. But this time also highlighted Pakistan's institutional vacuum.
Ayub Takes Control
Iskandar Mirza, the president of Pakistan, abrogated the 1956 constitution on October 7, 1958. His proclamation of martial law. But on October 27, General Ayub overthrew Iskandar Mirza and took control of everything.
Ayub was not an authorised ruler. But he was able to turn the economy around. Due to the Cold War, Pakistan got large funding from the US.
In 1965, Ayub held national elections to increase his credibility. In Pakistani politics, these were the first rigged elections ever held. Fatima Jinnah was defeated by Ayub Khan.
India and Pakistan went to war in the same year. India's weaponry was vigorously repelled by Pakistan. But Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who represented Pakistan in Tashkent, suffered a great deal of defeat.
A power struggle resumed after that. Ayub Khan resigned in 1969 as a result of widespread protests. Ayub Khan was succeeded by Yahya Khan, but it was already too late. General elections were therefore announced in 1970.
In West Pakistan, the Pakistan Peoples' Party won, while Awami triumphed in East Pakistan. Both sides were unwilling to relinquish the monarchy. Extreme political instability resulted as a result. 1971 saw India
Zia Bhutto Out In
Some people found Bhutto to be useful, but not everyone. He made some revolutionary decisions that shocked the ruling class. As a result, that elite fostered animosity towards Bhutto.
Ali Zulfiqar Bhutto
Another political crisis in Pakistan's political history resulted from this hostility. Zia assumed power in 1977 and put Bhutto to death for murder.
The USSR also deployed troops to Afghanistan in 1977. The Afghan government did in fact extend an invitation to the USSR. It wasn't considered hip enough in the US. It thus went to Pakistan and requested assistance.
This was the first sign of Islamization in Pakistan, which led to the start of the Afghan Jihad. Through Pakistan, the US and Saudi Arabia supplied Afghanistan with resources and weaponry. Pakistan sped up as well.
But because of the dictator's crackdown, there were ongoing protests against Zia across the nation. The Afghan War concluded in 1989, and Zia passed away in an aircraft crash in 1988. However, Pakistan's trial was still ongoing.
I Came, I Saw, I Left
This was most likely the funniest period in Pakistani political history. Presidents frequently fired prime ministers. The Kalashnikov culture spread quickly. Nawaz Sharif and Benzair Bhutto both held that position twice.
Nawaz Sharif successfully reclaimed his position as prime minister in 1997. In 1998, Pakistan conducted nuclear device tests in reaction to Indian aggression. The first nuclear power in the Muslim world is now Pakistan. But it came at a high price.
India and Pakistan engaged in combat in Kargil in the middle of 1999. It was embarrassing for Pakistan. The third coup in Pakistani political history resulted from this humiliation.
Musharraf was targeted for removal by Nawaz Sharif. Musharraf, however, had other ideas. The democratic administration was run over by him. Martial Law was enacted by Musharraf, and a new period began.
Combating Terrorism
Al-Qaeda destroyed the Pentagon and World Trade Centre in an attack in 2001. Numerous Americans perished. In order to eradicate terrorism and overthrow the Taliban regime, the US invaded Afghanistan as a response. In this endeavour, the US and Pakistan collaborated. Al-Qaeda persisted long after the Taliban were finally overthrown.
As a result of the invasion, Pakistan saw a severe wave of terrorism. On the subject of military operations in FATA, civil and military leadership sparred.
The course of Pakistani political history was changing. In the interim, Musharraf made numerous decisions that ended his political career.
People organised protests around the country. Benazir was tragically murdered on December 27, 2007. Musharraf announced elections for 2008 at this time.
Democracy Comes Back
While PMLN was successful in winning Punjab, Pakistan People's Party was able to create the federal administration. Multiple military actions were initiated by Pakistan against terrorist organisations. Pakistan's political situation was finally stable. But corruption and a lack of power were harming the populace.
The 2010 floods fueled the fire. The rate of inflation had reached new highs. Again, there was a widespread wave of demonstrations. On the grounds of contempt of court, Yousaf Raza Gillani was removed from office. Raja Pervaiz Ashraf was elected prime minister, however PPP did not resolve the issues facing the ordinary populace. Nevertheless, they succeeded in finishing their term.
A resounding victory, particularly in Punjab, allowed PMLN to take office in 2013. Third time as prime minister, Nawaz Sharif. The main counterterrorism initiative during this time period was Zarb e Azb.
Pakistan's security issues were getting better. The economy of Pakistan was growing. But when the Panama Papers data were made public in 2016, this was shown to be a pleasant dream. Several legal trials followed one another.
In the end, Nawaz Sharif was ousted in July 2017 due to allegations of corruption. The PMLN was able to complete its term under Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as prime minister.
PTI won two provinces in the 2018 general elections and became the government. The rate of inflation began to rise. However, PTI did rather well on the ground and started a number of important initiatives.
COVID struck Pakistan in 2020, but we weren't as badly affected. Currently, a fresh wave of political instability and disaster has arrived in the year 2022. In April, Imran Khan was ousted, and PDM gained power.
Conclusion
Read the political history of Pakistan presented above. After doing so, read the next paragraph. I'll let you draw your own conclusions now because I'm assuming you've already done so. Due to constitutional defects, a lack of institutionalisation, and lack of intent, in my opinion, Pakistan has been in a political crisis from its foundation. We have only two options. We will put forth our best effort and pray for the best.
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