Political Science · Ch 3 — Contemporary South Asia
The Military and Democracy in Pakistan
The Military and Democracy in Pakistan
After Pakistan framed its first constitution, the country's democratic journey was interrupted almost immediately. General Ayub Khan took over the administration and soon got himself elected. He was forced to give up office when popular dissatisfaction mounted against his rule. This led to another military takeover under General Yahya Khan.
During Yahya's military rule, Pakistan faced the Bangladesh crisis. After a war with India in 1971, East Pakistan broke away and emerged as the independent country of Bangladesh.
Following this, an elected government under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto came to power from 1971 to 1977. But the Bhutto government was removed by General Zia-ul-Haq in 1977. General Zia faced a pro-democracy movement from 1982 onwards, and an elected democratic government was finally established again in 1988 under Benazir Bhutto.
In the period that followed, Pakistani politics centred around the competition between Benazir Bhutto's party, the Pakistan People's Party, and the Muslim League. This phase of elective democracy lasted till 1999, when the army stepped in again and General Pervez Musharraf removed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. In 2001, General Musharraf got himself elected as President. Pakistan continued to be ruled by the army, though the army rulers held some elections to give their rule a democratic image. Since 2008, democratically elected leaders have been ruling Pakistan.
The core pattern: Pakistan's political history has been a cycle of military rule, brief democratic interludes, and then another military takeover.
Why has Pakistan failed to build a stable democracy?
Several factors have contributed to this failure.
- Social dominance of the military, clergy, and landowning aristocracy. These powerful groups have frequently overthrown elected governments and established military rule.
- Conflict with India. The ongoing conflict has made pro-military groups more powerful. These groups argue that political parties and democracy in Pakistan are flawed, that selfish-minded parties and chaotic democracy would harm Pakistan's security, and that the army's stay in power is therefore justified. …
1947: India and Pakistan emerge as independent nations after the end of British rule 1948: Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) gains independence; Indo-Pak conflict over Kashmir 1954-55: Pakistan joins the Cold War military blocs, SEATO and CENTO 1960: India and Pakistan sign the Indus Waters Treaty 1962: Border conflict between India and China 1965: Indo-Pak War; UN India-Pakistan Observation Mission 1966: India and Pakistan sign the Tashkent Agreement; Six-point proposal of Sheikh Mujib-ur Rahman for greater autonomy to East Pakistan 1971 March: Proclamation of Independence by leaders of Bangladesh August : Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship signed for 20 years December : Indo-Pak War, Liberation of Bangladesh 1972 July: India and Pakistan sign the Simla Agreement 1974 May: India conducts nuclear test 1976: Pakistan and Bangladesh establish diplomatic ties 1985 December: South Asian leaders sign the SAARC Charter at the first summit in Dhaka 1987: Indo-Sri Lanka Accord; Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) operation in Sri Lanka (1987-90) 1988: India sends troops to the Maldives to foil a coup attempt by mercenaries India and Pakistan sign the agreement not to attack nuclear installations and facilities of each other 1988-91: Democracy restoration in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal 1996 December: India and Bangladesh sign the Farakka Treaty for sharing of the Ganga Waters 1998 May: India and Pakistan conduct nuclear tests December: India and Sri Lanka sign the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) 1999 February: Indian PM Vajpayee undertakes bus journey to Lahore to sign a Pe …