Decade of Democracy

(1988-1999) in Pakistan
The Decade of Democracy in Pakistan (1988–1999) saw the return of
civilian governments after over a decade of military rule under General
Zia-ul-Haq. However, despite the return to democracy, the period was
marred by political instability, economic challenges, and growing tension
between civilian administrations and the military, ultimately ending with a
military coup in 1999.
• Benazir Bhutto’s First Term (1988-1990)
• Nawaz Sharif’s First Term (1990-1993)
• Benazir Bhutto’s Second Term (1993-1996)
• Nawaz Sharif’s Second Term (1997-1999)
Benazir Bhutto’s First Term
(1988-1990)

Election Date: 1988 – The first general elections held after General Zia-ul-Haq's death in a
plane crash on August 17, 1988.
Benazir Bhutto's Election: The Pakistan People's Party (PPP), led by Benazir Bhutto,
won the elections. Bhutto became Pakistan’s first female Prime Minister and the first
woman to head a Muslim-majority nation.
Economic Challenges: Pakistan was in a severe economic crisis following Zia’s rule, with high
inflation (over 10%), widespread unemployment (more than 15%), and stagnant industrial
growth.
Military-Civil Relations: Bhutto initially had strained relations with the military. She had to
contend with military influence, especially from then-Chief of Army Staff, General Waheed
Kakar, who played a pivotal role in the 1988 civil-military power struggle.
Dismissal: Bhutto’s government was dismissed by President Ghulam Ishaq Khan in 1990,
citing mismanagement and corruption under Article 58(2)(b) of the Constitution, which
allowed the president to dismiss the Prime Minister.
Nawaz Sharif’s First Term (1990-
1993)

1990 General Elections: Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) won the 1990
elections, securing 73 out of 217 seats in the National Assembly.
Economic Reforms: Sharif’s government aimed to implement economic reforms, including the
introduction of a new taxation system, and privatization of state enterprises. However, his
administration faced an economic downturn with continued inflation (hovering around 12-13%)
and low foreign exchange reserves.
Civil-Military Tensions: Despite early cooperation, tensions arose between Sharif and the military,
particularly over civilian control and budgetary allocations. The military was growing more assertive,
especially over foreign policy and national security issues.
Dismissal: Ghulam Ishaq Khan dismissed Nawaz Sharif’s government in April 1993 under
charges of misgovernance, corruption, and political mismanagement. This was the second
dismissal of a democratically elected government in Pakistan within five years.
Resignations: Following intervention from the Supreme Court, both Ishaq Khan and Nawaz Sharif
resigned, leading to an interim government and the restoration of a more balanced power-
sharing agreement between the President and Prime Minister.
Benazir Bhutto’s Second Term
(1993-1996)

1993 General Elections: Benazir Bhutto returned to power after the 1993 elections, securing
87 seats in the National Assembly.
Power-Sharing Agreement: A power-sharing agreement was made between Benazir Bhutto
and President Farooq Leghari, in which Bhutto agreed to share powers with the office of the
President. This period marked relative stability for the government compared to earlier terms.
Economic Issues: Despite an initial period of optimism, economic issues persisted. Pakistan
continued to face high unemployment (around 10-12%), and the GDP growth rate remained low,
averaging 3-4% per year.
Corruption Allegations: Bhutto’s government was marred by allegations of corruption,
including accusations that members of her family were involved in financial wrongdoing,
particularly in overseas assets.
Dismissal: In 1996, President Farooq Leghari dismissed Benazir Bhutto’s government for the
second time, citing corruption and inefficiency. The Supreme Court upheld the dismissal, which
deepened the political instability.
Nawaz Sharif’s Second Term
(1997-1999)

1997 General Elections: Nawaz Sharif won the 1997 elections, securing a landslide with 137 seats
out of 217 in the National Assembly, a clear majority.
Islamization of Laws: Sharif’s government took a more Islamic direction, introducing the Shariah
Ordinance and aiming to implement Islamic laws in several areas. This move was controversial but
received support from conservative religious groups.
Kargil Conflict (1999): One of the defining moments of Sharif's second term was the Kargil War (May to
July 1999), in which Pakistani troops, along with militants, infiltrated Indian territory in the Kargil region of
Jammu and Kashmir. The military, led by General Pervez Musharraf, initiated the conflict, but Nawaz
Sharif sought to de-escalate the situation and negotiated a withdrawal under international pressure,
especially from the United States.
Conflict with the Military: Sharif’s decision to withdraw Pakistani forces from Kargil without consulting
the military leadership led to a deep rift between the civilian government and the military, specifically
General Pervez Musharraf.
Coup d’état (1999): On October 12, 1999, after Nawaz Sharif attempted to dismiss General Pervez
Musharraf as Chief of Army Staff, a military coup unfolded. Musharraf seized power and declared himself
Chief Executive, ending the democratic experiment in Pakistan.
Key Issues During the Decade of
Democracy (1988–1999)

The Decade of Democracy in Pakistan, spanning from 1988 to 1999, was

characterized by significant political turmoil, instability, and a continued
struggle for control between civilian governments and the military. Despite the
return to democracy after Zia-ul-Haq’s military rule, civil-military relations,
corruption, economic struggles, and political instability dominated the decade.
These issues severely impacted the functioning of democratic institutions and
contributed to the eventual military coup of 1999.
• Civil-Military Relations
• Corruption
• Economic Struggles
• Judiciary and Political Instability
Civil-Military Relations

Throughout the 1990s, civil-military relations in Pakistan were a persistent

source of tension. Even though Pakistan had elected civilian governments, the
military retained significant influence over key areas, such as foreign policy,
national security, and even economic decisions. For example, in 1993, Nawaz
Sharif's government was forced to step down after a standoff with President
Ghulam Ishaq Khan, who was supported by the military. The intervention of
General Waheed Kakar, the Chief of Army Staff at the time, helped broker a
political agreement, which ultimately resulted in both Sharif and Ishaq Khan
stepping down. This event highlighted how the military and the judiciary often
played a dominant role in political decisions, sidelining civilian governance. The
most dramatic example occurred in 1999, when General Pervez Musharraf
led a military coup against Nawaz Sharif, ousting him from power. Musharraf
declared himself Chief Executive of Pakistan, marking the end of civilian rule
Corruption

Corruption was widespread during the decade, involving leaders from both the
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz
(PML-N). For instance, Benazir Bhutto’s government faced major allegations of
corruption, most notably regarding Swiss bank accounts. In 1993, Swiss
authorities froze accounts linked to Benazir Bhutto’s family, following
allegations that they had stashed ill-gotten wealth there through kickbacks and
money laundering. This case became widely known as the Swiss bank scandal.
Similarly, Nawaz Sharif’s government was accused of corruption during the
privatization of state-owned enterprises. The National Bank of Pakistan, for
example, was alleged to have given out loans to favored businesses and
individuals without following proper procedures. The public perception of
widespread corruption weakened both governments, and critics, including the
military, used these scandals as a justification for their intervention in politics.
Economic Struggles

Pakistan’s economy during the decade faced persistent struggles. For

example, the GDP growth rate was low, averaging between 3% and 4%, which
was insufficient to create jobs for the growing population. This led to high
unemployment rates, fluctuating between 10% and 15%, and increased social
unrest. Inflation was another major issue, with average rates ranging between
10% and 15%. This high inflation caused prices to skyrocket, making daily life
difficult for ordinary citizens. A specific example of Pakistan’s economic
challenges was the rising foreign debt, which climbed to over $20 billion by
the end of the decade. The country had to borrow heavily from international
lenders like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to
meet its financial obligations. These loans often came with tough conditions
that further strained Pakistan’s economy and limited the government’s ability to
invest in public welfare and development projects.
Judiciary and Political Instability

Political instability was a hallmark of the 1990s in Pakistan, with frequent

changes in government, the dismissal of prime ministers, and the intervention of
the judiciary. For example, in 1990, the Supreme Court played a pivotal role in
the dismissal of Benazir Bhutto by upholding the decision of President Ghulam
Ishaq Khan under Article 58(2)(b), which allowed the president to dismiss the
prime minister. The court ruled that Bhutto’s government was guilty of corruption
and mismanagement, though critics argued that the dismissal was politically
motivated. Similarly, in 1993, the Supreme Court again intervened when Nawaz
Sharif and President Ishaq Khan faced a constitutional crisis. The military and
judiciary stepped in to mediate, forcing both leaders to step down in what became
known as the Kakar Plan. This constant judicial intervention and political turnover
weakened Pakistan’s political institutions, leading to a military coup in 1999.
After the coup, General Musharraf took control of the government, further
deepening the cycle of instability.
 Conclusion

• The Decade of Democracy (1988-1999) in Pakistan was a time of hope • Amidst all this, political instability was a constant theme. The
and disappointment. After years of military rule, democracy returned to frequent dismissal of prime ministers—whether by the president, the
the country in 1988, but the dreams of a stable, prosperous democratic judiciary, or the military—further weakened the institutions of
Pakistan never fully materialized. Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, the democracy. Instead of building strong democratic practices, the
two main political figures of the time, faced constant challenges that
country saw a cycle of government changes, power struggles, and
undermined their leadership.
growing frustration with leadership.
• One of the biggest issues was the relationship between civilian
governments and the military. Despite being elected, both leaders • By the end of the decade, it became clear that civilian governments
struggled to assert control over the military, which continued to interfere were not able to solve these deep-rooted problems. The military
in politics and key decisions like foreign policy and national security. stepped in once again in 1999, with General Pervez Musharraf
The military's role in shaping the country's future, even when not in taking control in a coup, ending the short-lived democratic
power, made it clear that civilian authority was often secondary. experiment.
• Corruption also plagued this period. Allegations of mismanagement and • In many ways, the 1990s were a reminder of the challenges Pakistan
misuse of power were rampant, with both Bhutto and Sharif accused of
faced in its struggle with democracy. Corruption, economic
money laundering and other forms of corruption. This fueled public
frustration and damaged the reputation of civilian governments. Alongside
mismanagement, and military influence created a perfect storm that
this, the country’s economy was in poor shape, with high inflation, led to the collapse of civilian rule. While democracy offered hope, it
unemployment, and a growing foreign debt, making life harder for was never fully given the chance to succeed, and once again, the
ordinary Pakistanis. military returned to power, taking the country into a new era of
"Pakistan: A Hard Country" by Anatol Lieven – A detailed exploration of Pakistan's complex
military rule.
political landscape, including the challenges of civilian rule and military influence.