Assignment
Pakistan studies
Marks 10
Last date for submissionMay 29, 2021
Write down the political history of Pakistan.
Answer:
Pakistan gained independence from the British on August, 14, 1947 when British ruled India
was divided into India and Pakistan.
The creation of Pakistan was based on the two nation theory, that wanted a separate homeland
for Muslims in South Asia.
The Pakistan movement was spearheaded by Muhammad Ali Jinnah. In 1947, when India won
Independence from the British, at the Cromwell Conference, Jinnah pushed for a separate
homeland for Indian Muslims.
Religious tensions were high between Hindus and Muslims at this time. The partition of India
then took place and there was massacre of both Hindus and Muslims during this bitter partition.
Jinnah then became the first Governor General of Pakistan. Pakistan now stands as a new
nation with sanctuary for Muslims.
Liaquat Ali Khan became the first Prime minister of Pakistan. He had a tough time managing
east and west Pakistan.
The Indo-Pakistani war took place in Kashmir in 1947. India and Pakistan finally decided to
resolve the Kashmir issue with the help of the United nations. The Karachi agreement and a
ceasefire was effected on January 1, 1949.
Jinnah declared Urdu as the official language of Pakistan which sparked protests in East
Pakistan where Bengali was spoken.
The objectives resolution which was a prelude to the constitution was passed in 1949.
In 1951 military intelligence foiled a coup de etat planned by Major General Akbar Khan.
In 1958 due to riots the first martial law was enacted in Pakistan with the help of the military.
Pakistan had declared a war on India in 1965 which resulted in gains and losses on both sides.
The general parliamentary elections were held in 197 with the People’s party winning in West
Pakistan and the Awami league winning in East Pakistan.
The Indo-Pakistan took place in 1971 which resulted in Pakistan surrendering to India. Pakistan
lost East Pakistan which now became Bangladesh.
After Zulfikar Ali Bhutto assumed further control of Pakistan he introduced socialist economic
policies to prevent further division of the country.
In 1974, Pakistan was shifted back to a Parliamentary democracy with Bhutto as the Prime
Minister.
Pakistan then focused on developing its nuclear capability.
In July 1977, General Zia-ul-haq stage a coup against Bhutto and took over. Bhutto was
executed in 1979.
Under General Zia-ul-haq defense spending increased in Pakistan.
In 1986, Benazir Bhutto daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto returned to her homeland. Benazir
Bhutto won the elections in 1988 and was sworn in as the first woman Prime minister of
Pakistan.
In November 1989 the no confidence move against Benazir Bhutto failed.
In 1990, the president Ghulam Ishaq Khan dissolves national assembly and dismissed the
Benazir Bhutto government. After general elections Nawaz Sharif is elected as the Prime
Minister of Pakistan.
In 1993, president Ghulam Ishaq Khan dissolves national assembly and dismisses the Nawaz
Sharif government. Benazir Bhutto is voted back to power.
In 1996, Imran Khan launches a political party called Pakistan Therek-e-Insaaf (PTI). National
assembly is dissolved and Benazir Bhutto is sacked.
In 1997, after elections Nawaz Sharif is elected as the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
In 1999, Sharif is ousted from power after attempting to sack General Pervez Musharraf.
In 2002, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali sworn in as Prime Minister.
In 2004, Shaukat Aziz becomes Prime Minister.
In 2007, Benazir Bhutto is assassinated in a blast in Rawalpindi.
In 2008, Yusuf Raza Gilani is elected as the new Prime Minister.
In 2012, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf is elected as the new Prime Minister .
In 2013, Nawaz Sharif is re-elected as the Prime Minister .
In 2018, Nawaz Sharif was imprisoned on corruption charges. PTI leaders Imran Khan takes
oath as the new Prime Minister.