PAKISTAN PEOPLES PARTY: AN ASSESSMENT OF ITS ROLE IN THE PROMOTION OF A DEMOCRATIC CULTURE IN PAKISTAN (1988 to 1999) Supervised by PROF. DR. TAJ MOHARRAM KHAN Submitted by BAKHTIAR KHAN Ph.D Scholar DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF PESHAWAR (2016) iii Abstract This study examines the role of Pakistan Peoples Party in the politics of Pakistan from 1988 to 1999. The party contributed towards the restoration of democracy after a constant struggle against the dictatorship which ruled over the country for more than a decade (1977 to 1988). PPP, under the leadership of Benazir Bhutto ruled Pakistan twice, though with a simple majority each time in the parliament. Benazir started as a prime minister with great enthusiasm as evident from initiatives that were to bring a change in different aspects of the national life. Social Action Program to improve the living standard of common man, lifting of ban on trade unions, guarantee the freedom of press and conversion of death sentence into life imprisonment were some of the praiseworthy steps of her government. While in government twice she tried to improve relationship with International Community particularly with India. The expectation could, however, only marginally materialized on the account of the confrontation in which her government indulged with the opposition. Several challenges like (hostility with IJI in the Punjab, MQM in Sindh, the Army and the President) obstructed the smooth functioning of PPP rule on both occasions. Despite these challenges, the party should have played the game of politics according to rules and to materialize its pledges made with the masses. Apart from these, the mishandling of government resource, nepotism and favoritism overshadowed issues of vital significance. While choosing to sit on the opposition benches, Benazir Bhutto followed a healthy tradition of accepting the mandate of ruling Pakistan Muslim League. But PPP’s role as the main opposition platform was dominated more by the elements of hatred and revenge rather than cooperation. Benazir wasted her energies in skirmishing with her political rivals and with other state institutions such as the military and judiciary. Ethnic troubles provoking law and order in Sindh on both occasions of the PPP rule posed serious threats to its survival. This virtually rendered those efforts ineffective which the PPP could use for democracy and development. The study concludes that despite the follies made, PPP has the credit of bringing democracy back to the country. Mostly qualitative tools are used to determine various dimensions and depths of this study. Both historical and descriptive methods are used looking to the nature of the study. In order to collect the relevant information, both primary and secondary sources were used. LIST OF CONTENTS Acknowledgement ........................................................................................ i Abstract ......................................................................................................... iii Abbreviations ................................................................................................ iv Chapter # 01: Introduction………………………………………………. 1 1.1.Introduction .............................................................................................. 1 1.2.Statement of the Problem ......................................................................... 14 1.3. Objectives of the Study ........................................................................... 15 1.4. Research Questions ................................................................................. 16 1.5. Hypothesis............................................................................................... 16 1.6. Significance of the Study ........................................................................ 16 1.7. Literature Review.................................................................................... 17 1.8. Methodology ........................................................................................... 26 1.9. Organization of the Study ....................................................................... 29 1.10. Conclusion……………………………………………………………. 32 Chapter # 02 Theoretical Perspective of the Study................................... 33 2.1. Introduction. ............................................................................................ 33 2.2. Literature on Democracy Theory. ........................................................... 34 2.3. Literature on Hybrid Regimes Theory. ................................................... 44 2.4. Hybrid Regimes Theory and Military Influence in the Politics of. ........ 49 2.5. Hybrid Regimes Theory and the Role of Bureaucracy in the. ................ 52 2.6. Conclusion .............................................................................................. 54 Chapter # 03 Pakistan Peoples Party in its Historical Perspective ......... 55 3.1. Introduction. ............................................................................................ 55 3.2. Political Scene of Pakistan after 1947. ................................................... 55 3.3. Politics of 1958 Onward. ........................................................................ 69 3.4. The Conditions at the time of the Emergence of PPP. ............................ 74 3.5. PPP from Emergence to Power. .............................................................. 76 3.6. Pakistan Peoples Party and the General Elections of 1970. .................... 78 3.7. Pakistan after Disintegration. .................................................................. 81 3.8. Downfall of the PPP and the Martial Law of 1977. ................................ 84 3.9. 1977-1988: A Decade of Political Unrest. ............................................ 90 3.10. Zia Initiations ........................................................................................ 93 3.11. Zia Junejo Ties ...................................................................................... 95 3.12. Conclusion ............................................................................................ 95 Chapter # 04 Peoples Party Second Term in Power (1988-1990). ........... 97 4.1. Introduction ............................................................................................. 97 4.2. Transforming the State into Civilian Rule. ............................................. 98 4.3. The MRD Politics. .................................................................................. 100 4.4. Death of General Ziaul Haq and the Restoration of Democracy. ........... 106 4.5. PPP Manifesto for 1988 General Elections. ........................................... 110 4.6. Benazir Bhutto as the First Women Premier .......................................... 114 4.7. PPP’s Domestic Policy .......................................................................... 117 4.8. PPP Relations with the Military .............................................................. 119 4.9. Relationship with Opposition. ................................................................ 121 4.10. Failure of Government .......................................................................... 123 4.11. Center and the Provinces during Benazir Bhutto Era. .......................... 128 4.12. President’s action against Benazir Bhutto Government under ............. 133 4.13. PPP Government and Foreign Policy. .................................................. 139 4.14. Conclusion. ........................................................................................... 142 Chapter # 05 Pakistan Peoples Party in Opposition (1990-93). ............... 145 5.1. Introduction. ............................................................................................ 145 5.2. PPP and the 1990 General Elections. ...................................................... 146 5.3. PPP on the Opposition Benches (1990-93). ............................................ 152 5.4. Nawaz Sharif Annulment of Eight Amendment and the Role of PPP. ... 159 5.5. Government Relations with the Opposition amidst the Politics of ......... 161 5.6. Downfall of IJI Government and the Role of Opposition....................... 166 5.7. Loopholes in IJI’s Administration. ......................................................... 172 5.8. Conclusion .............................................................................................. 176 Chapter # 06 PPP Voted to Power again: (1993-1996). ............................ 178 6.1. Introduction. ........................................................................................... 178 6.2. Pakistan Peoples Party’s Third Term in Office (1993-1996). ................ 179 6.3. Benazir Bhutto's Handling of the Eighth Amendment ........................... 187 6.4. The Early Initiatives. ............................................................................... 189 6.5. Maneuvering to Capturing NWFP Government. ................................... 193 6.6. Mismanagement in PPP Government. .................................................... 195 6.7. Economic Initiatives and Challenges ...................................................... 197 6.8. The Challenges of Law and Order. ......................................................... 199 6.9. Opposition with a Tilt-for-Tat Policy towards PPP. ............................... 201 6.10. PPP’s Failure to Complete Mandated Period.......................................