news details |
|
|
| In sixty years of creation, Pak remained under army rule for 32 years | | | Early Times Special Correspondent
Jammu | Nov 12
"Like happiness being occasional interlude in the general drama of pain" democratic elected governments have been quite short lived in Pakistan which has been under military dictatorships for 32 years, of 60 years of its creation. The remaining 28 years under civilian rules too have witnessed overthrow of elected governments with nominated Prime Ministers and Presidents ruling the country.
How long has Pakistan been under military dictatorship since its independence?
Pakistan became independent on August 14, 1947. But it was only in 1956 that it became a republic with the adoption of the first constitution of Pakistan.
In 60 years of its independence, Pakistan has been under military rule for over 32 years. Soon after it became a republic, general Ayub Khan seized power in a bloodless coup in October 1958. Since then Pakistan has had three more military rulers—Yahya Khan, Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf—of which the latter two seized power through coups.
Under what circumstances has the military seized power in Pakistan?
After Ayub Khan seized power in 1958, military rule lasted for 13 years as it continued beyond Ayub Khan to the time of his successor Yahya Khan till 1971. Yahya Khan lost popular support after he was blamed squarely for the defeat of Pakistan in the Indo-Pak war of 1971 that led to the independence of Bangladesh.
In December 1971, he hurriedly handed over power to Zulfqar Ali Bhutto of the Pakistan Peoples Part (PPP) who had won the majority of seats in West Pakistan in the December 1970election. Bhutto became President and continued till 1973, after which he became Prime Minister. Towards the end of his term, he faced increasing dissidence within his own party and growing unpopularity for the peace agreement he signed with India in exchange for 93,000 prisoners of war. He remained PM till he was arrested by General Zia-ul-Haq in July 1977, bringing to a close roughly six years of civilian rule. In a bloodless coup, Haq seized power becoming the third military ruler in Pakistan.
His military dictatorship lasted for 11 years till August 1988, when he died in an air crash, the circumstances of which remain unclear. In November 1988, in the first open elections in more than a decade, Benazir Bhutto of PPP came to power, only to be removed two years later on charges of corruption.
Nawaz Sharif and his party Pakistan Muslim League (N)—the 'N' meaning Nawaz group—came to power putting Benazir in the opposition. But Benazir came back to power again in 1993, only to be dismissed yet again in 1996 on corruption charges. Sharif had a second term from February 1997 till October 1999, which was brought to an abrupt end in a dramatic coup by General Pervez Musharraf. Thus came to a spell of 11 years of civilian rule, unusually long in Pakistan's recent history. Musharraf assumed the title of chief executive.
Later, in June 2001, he formally appointed himself as President. Thus, each time there was dissidence within political parties and growing civil unrest in the country, the military seized the opportunity to impose martial law. Interestingly, all the generals who have overthrown civilian rulers, except Ayub Kahn, were appointed by those very governments and in each case their appointments took place after superceding several seniors.
What impact has civilian or martial law had on relations with India? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
