The Political History of Pakistan – From Independence to Today

Introduction

Pakistan’s political journey has been a mix of hope, struggle, military rule,

and democratic experiments. It can be break down into three major

phases:

1. The Formative Phase (1947–1958) – The early struggles of a newborn

nation.

2. Military Interventions (1958–1971, 1977–1988, 1999–2008) –

Periods when the army took control.

3. Democratic Transitions (1971–1977, 1988–1999, 2008–Present) –

Attempts at civilian rule.

Each phase had its own challenges, leaders, and turning points.

Part 1: The Formative Phase (1947–1958)

Birth of a Nation and Immediate Challenges

On the 14th of August 1947, Pakistan emerged on the world map as an

independent nation. This independence came after immense sacrifices,

bloodshed, and political struggle, led primarily by the All India Muslim

League under the inspiring leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali

Jinnah. However, the freedom that brought joy was also accompanied by

huge challenges.
First, Pakistan was born in a highly chaotic situation. The partition of

British India led to one of the largest human migrations in history. Around

10 million people moved between India and Pakistan. Many lost their lives

in communal riots, and millions were left homeless and traumatized.

There were economic and administrative challenges as well. The new

country lacked proper infrastructure. There were very few trained civil

servants, no central bank at the start, and even the military had to be built

from scratch. The government also faced the huge task of rehabilitating

refugees who arrived from India.

Political Leadership and Constitution Building

Muhammad Ali Jinnah took charge as the first Governor-General, and

Liaquat Ali Khan was appointed the first Prime Minister. The new

government worked tirelessly to keep the country together.

In 1949, the Objectives Resolution was passed, stating that Pakistan

would be a democratic and Islamic state. This resolution became the

ideological foundation of the future constitution.

However, Pakistan remained without a permanent constitution for nine

long years. The delay was due to disagreements among politicians, mainly

over issues such as the distribution of power between the center and

provinces and the role of Islam in state affairs.

First Constitution and Political Instability

Finally, in 1956, Pakistan adopted its first constitution and became the

Islamic Republic of Pakistan. But political instability continued. Prime

Ministers were changed frequently due to political conflicts, weak

institutions, and interference from the civil and military bureaucracy. In

just 11 years, Pakistan had 7 Prime Ministers.

In this atmosphere of chaos and inefficiency, the military saw an

opportunity to step in. In 1958, the country experienced its first major

turning point.

Part 2: Military Interventions and Martial Laws

First Martial Law – General Ayub Khan (1958–1969)

On 7th October 1958, President Iskander Mirza declared martial law and

appointed Army Chief General Ayub Khan as Chief Martial Law

Administrator. But within a few days, Ayub Khan removed Iskander Mirza

and assumed power himself. This marked the beginning of Pakistan’s

military involvement in politics.

Ayub Khan ruled for 11 years. He introduced a new constitution in 1962

and launched the “Basic Democracies” system, a local government system

where elected representatives would choose the President. Though this

seemed democratic, in reality, it gave Ayub Khan enormous control.

During his rule, Pakistan saw industrial growth and development.

However, political freedoms were curtailed, and dissent was often crushed.

The 1965 war with India led to national pride but also exposed military

weaknesses.

Mass protests in the late 1960s, led by students and political leaders,

forced Ayub Khan to resign in 1969. He handed over power to General

Yahya Khan.

Second Martial Law – General Yahya Khan (1969–1971)

Yahya Khan dissolved the existing political setup and promised free

elections. In 1970, Pakistan held its first general elections. The Awami

League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won a majority. However, the

military and political leadership in West Pakistan refused to transfer power

to the Awami League.

This led to mass protests and a civil war in East Pakistan. In December

1971, Indian military intervention led to the fall of Dhaka and the creation

of Bangladesh. This was a massive political and emotional setback for

Pakistan. General Yahya Khan resigned, and a civilian leader, Zulfikar Ali

Bhutto, came to power.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Civilian Rule (1971–1977)

Bhutto was a charismatic leader who tried to rebuild Pakistan’s economy

and restore national pride. He introduced the 1973 Constitution, which is

still in place today with amendments. The new constitution made Pakistan

a parliamentary democracy.

Bhutto also nationalized key industries and launched various reforms in

education and labor rights. However, opposition to his rule grew due to

authoritarian decisions and allegations of election rigging in 1977.

Third Martial Law – General Zia-ul-Haq (1977–1988)

In July 1977, General Zia-ul-Haq overthrew Bhutto’s government and

imposed martial law. Zia ruled with an iron fist for 11 years. He focused

on Islamization of laws and society. New laws such as the Hudood

Ordinances and Zakat system were introduced.

Zia also held non-party-based elections and used religion to strengthen

his rule. His regime was known for strict censorship, imprisonment of

political workers, and even public lashings.

In 1988, General Zia died in a mysterious plane crash. His death opened

the door for the return of democracy.

Democratic Period (1988–1999)

After Zia’s death, Pakistan returned to democracy. Benazir Bhutto,

daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, became the first female Prime Minister of

a Muslim country. Her tenure was followed by that of Nawaz Sharif. These

two leaders alternated in power from 1988 to 1999.

However, these years were marked by political instability. Governments

were dismissed before completing terms. Allegations of corruption,

inefficiency, and poor governance were common. The military and

intelligence agencies continued to exert influence behind the scenes.

Fourth Martial Law – General Pervez Musharraf (1999–2008)

In 1999, General Pervez Musharraf overthrew Nawaz Sharif’s government.

He declared emergency rule and took over as Chief Executive. Later, he

became President.

After the 9/11 attacks, Musharraf allied Pakistan with the United States

in the War on Terror. He introduced reforms in local governance and

economy, but also limited judicial independence and media freedom.

In 2007, Musharraf imposed emergency rule again, dismissing judges and

arresting lawyers and journalists. This led to mass protests. Eventually,

he resigned in 2008 under immense pressure.

Part 3: Democratic Transition and Current Developments

Return to Civilian Rule (2008–2013)

After Musharraf’s exit, Pakistan held elections in 2008. The PPP won, and

Asif Ali Zardari became President. For the first time in Pakistan’s history,

a civilian government completed a full five-year term.

Democratic Continuity (2013–2018)

In 2013, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) came to power, and

Nawaz Sharif became Prime Minister once again. His government worked

on infrastructure projects, especially roads and power plants.

However, in 2017, Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court in

the Panama Papers case. His party continued the government under Prime

Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi until the next elections.

PTI Era and Political Shifts (2018–2022)

In 2018, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by Imran Khan won the

elections. He became Prime Minister and promised a “Naya Pakistan”

based on justice, accountability, and anti-corruption. His government

faced economic challenges, rising inflation, and political opposition.

In April 2022, a vote of no confidence in Parliament removed Imran Khan

from power. He was replaced by Shehbaz Sharif, leader of the Pakistan

Democratic Movement (PDM), a coalition of opposition parties.

Recent Developments and 2024 Elections

In early 2024, general elections were held. Political tensions were high.

Legal battles, disqualifications, and allegations of interference marked the

political scene. PTI-backed independents, PML-N, and PPP all participated.

The outcome was complex and showed a divided electorate.