Benazir Bhutto

Q.HOW SUCCESSFUL WAS BENAZIR BHUTTO AS THE PM OF PAKISTAN BETWEEN

1988-1990

DOMESTIC POLICY

• Benazir Bhutto (8.3) promised to make Pakistan a purely democratic country. She took
some steps in this regard, e.g. she released the political prisoners, and lifted ban on
student and trade unions. Thus this was success as she proved that her government
believed in political freedom and was far better, as compared to Zia's dictatorship
• B.B established 'First Women Bank', where females provided banking facilities to the
women of Pakistan Thus this was a success as it not only meant more job opportunities
for women, but was also an attempt to protect their rights in the male dominating
society of Pakistan

• B.B started "People's works Program", and according to this program, electricity was
provided in many rural areas of Pakistan. Thus this shows her commitment to improve
the standard of living, of the people living in remote areas.

• ... However, she was unable to keep her promises. For example, she could not improve
the welfare services, and did not repeal the Hudood & Zina ordinance (as it affected
women adversely). Thus this disappointed people of Pakistan and the support for her
rule reduced.

• Benazir also did not fulfill her commitments regarding her economic development of
Pakistan, which disappointed the people. Instead, there was a high rate of inflation and
unemployment. Thus this was a failure as people greatly criticized her government, as
their financial problems increased during her rule.

• B.B took some steps in favor of Sindhis e.g. Sindhi was made compulsory in educational
institutions of Sindh, and seats were also reserved for Sindhis in provincial
administration. Thus this delighted the Sindhi community, and the support for her rule
increased, because their cultural and political rights were being protected

• ... However, it annoyed the Urdu-speaking people of Sindh, who were more educated
than Sindhis and they rendered such steps as a special favors for Sindhis. Thus, this
reduced her support, as many of the Urdu- Speaking people joined MQM, a regional
party of the Urdu Speaking people.
FOREIGN POLICY

• B.B's father, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto left the Commonwealth in 1971, when UK recognized
Bangladesh. However, Benazir felt that it was important organization for Pakistan's
political and economic prosperity. Therefore, she rejoined it, which improved Pakistan's
international image, and the relations with UK and other members of the
Commonwealth

• B.B organized the fourth SAARC Summit, which was also attended by the Indian PM
Rajiv Gandhi. Thus, this helped to improve Pak-indo relations, as three different peace
agreements were signed between the two countries.

• B.B also visited USA in 1989, and tried to convince their officials that Pakistan did not
have the nuclear weapons, but has the right to do so for its defense. However, the US
government was not convinced. Thus it worsened Pak-US relations as it meant that the
USA was not ready to lift the economic and military sanctions under the Pressler
Amendment.
1993-1996

DOMESTIC POLICY:
• Benazir came into government with an "Agenda for change". She promised to improve
women situations and she also said that separate women courts and police stations
would be established. However, no legislations were introduced in this regard. Thus this
disappointed the people of Pakistan, especially women, who felt betrayed as B.B did not
fulfill her promises,

• B.B had to face a lot of opposition from Nawaz Sharif, the leader of opposition alliance
in the National assembly. He started a Train March against Benazir Bhutto In 1994, in
which he travelled from Karachi to Peshawar by train, and at different railway stations,
he made critical speeches against BB’s government this way, he was successful in
arranging large scale strikes against Benazir. Although Benazir reacted by arresting some
opposition leaders, however, it had no affect but rather increased her opposition even
more.

• BB was involved in family feuds as well. Her brother Murtaza Bhutto, who was abroad,
used to criticize him far betraying the principles of their father. He also criticized the
increased role of Asif Ali Zardari (Benazir's husband) in PPP, as he was accused of
corruption. Later when he came to Pakistan, he was at first arrest and later killed in a
police ambush just outside his house in Karachi. A judicial inquiry suggested the
involvement of the government in the assassination of Murtaza Bhutto. Although
Benazir denied such involvement, however, the assassination of Murtaza Bhutto badly
damaged the democratic Image of her government
 • BB being an economist herself took the charge of economy policy of Pakistan, but during
her time, Pakistani Rupee depreciated by 30% against US dollar. GDP fell from 6% to 4%.
Large scale manufacturing growth reduced drastically. Thus, her poor economic policies
created financial crisis in Pakistan so the people had to suffer economically.

FOREIGN POLICY

• During the rule of B.B, the new US president Bill Clinton wanted to have good relations
with Pakistan, and he sent his defense secretary William Perry to Pakistan in 1993 who
admitted that the Pressler Amendment was a mistake. Thus this helped to improve the
relations as it meant that soon the US would lift sanctions and provide economic and
military aid to Pakistan

• In 1996, B.B visited USA and following her visit Brown amendment was passed by the US
parliament. This allowed the USA Government to return the payment of (28) F-16 and
they also approved military support to $ 388 million for Pakistan and so the relations
improved as they were trying to strengthen Pakistan's defense

• ... In 1996, Hillary Clinton, the first lady and her daughter Chelsea visited Pakistan as a
gesture of goodwill, which brought Pakistan and US closer and their relations Improved.

Q.WHY DID BENAZIR FALL FROM POWER IN 1990?

• BB’s party was the largest political party in the election of 1988 yet it did not have
enough seats to form the government. Therefore she had to make an alliance with
MQM, a party of Urdu speaking people of Sindh. This meant that the Government was
not independent enough to take decisions. Due to clashes between PPP and MQM,
MOM dissolved their alliance with PPP, which made the Government weak to work;

• Benazir did not have good relations with President Ghulam Ishaq Khan and occasionally
clashed with him. A major point of conflict between the two was appointment of
military and judiciary. President believed that it was his right under the 8th amendment
to make such appointments where Benazir wanted some changes according to her
desires. When he refused to do so the relations between the two were at the lowest
ebb which meant that her Government could be dissolved by the president at any time.

• Benazir's Government was also accused of corruption. Her husband Asif Ali Zardari was
accused of taking commissions and kickbacks. Although Benazir felt that such
accusations were politically motivated, yet the damaged the reputation of her
Government a lot and later provided a reason to President to dissolve her government