Human Rights and Democratic Development in Pakistan

Government

Year

Key Issues

1st

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto

(PPP)

1974

The territories of Pakistan are redefined to exclude East Pakistan [Art. 1(2)].

The right to found or belong to a political party is restricted [Art. 17(2)].

2nd

Z. A. Bhutto (PPP)

1974

Ahmedis/Qadianis/Lahoris are declared non-Muslims [Articles 106 & 260] .

3rd

Z. A. Bhutto (PPP)

1975

Period of preventive detention is extended from one month to three months at a time; the period for communication of grounds of detention is extended from 7 days to 15 days [Art. 10].

4th

Z. A. Bhutto (PPP)

1975

The power of the High Courts is reduced [Art. 199].

5th

Z. A. Bhutto

1976

The powers of the superior judiciary are further curtailed by making provision for transfer of judges from one High Court to another.

6th

Z. A. Bhutto (PPP)

1976

Chief Justice can continue in office and complete his term of office even after he reaches the age of superannuation. [Art. 179; Art. 195].

7th

Z.A. Bhutto (PPP)

1977

Ascertaining of people's confidence in Prime Minister through a referendum [New Article 96-A].

8th

General Zia
ul Haq

1985

All President's Orders, Ordinances, Martial Law Regulations, Martial Law Orders are adopted and cannot be contested in any court. [Art. 270-A].

Establishment of the Federal Shariat Court.

Introduction of separate electorates.

Establishment of Permanent Benches of the High Courts.

The President is armed with wide powers including the discretionary dissolution of the National Assembly and appointment of Chiefs of Armed Forces.

9th

General Zia
ul Haq

1985

Injunctions of Islam are declared the supreme law and a source of guidance for legislation to be administered through laws enacted by the Parliament and Provincial Assemblies, and for policy-making by the Government. The bill lapsed.

10th

M.K. Junejo

(non-party)

1987

Minor changes.

11th

Benazir Bhutto

(PPP)

1989

Minor changes.

12th

Nawaz Sharif

(PML-N)

1991

Establishment of Special Courts for trial of heinous offences. [New Art. 212-B].

13th

Nawaz Sharif

(PML-N)

1997

President cannot dissolve National Assemblies. [Art. 58-2(b)].

14th

Nawaz Sharif

(PML-N)

1997

Elected members cannot change their party affiliation without losing their seat (horse-trading).

Year

Political Party

Head of the government

Means of getting power

End of the government

1947-1948

PML

Jinnah, M.A.
Governor-General

Founder of the Nation

Appointed by British Crown

Expired in 1948

1948-1951

PML

PML

Khwaja Nazimudin
Governor-General

Liaquat Ali Khan
Prime Minister
(1947-1951)

Crown appointee

Chosen by Jinnah, backed by majority

Became Prime Minister

Assassinated in 1951

1951-1955

PML

PML

PML

Ghulam Mohammed
Governor-General

Khawaja Nazimudin Prime Minister
(1951-1953)

Mohammed Ali Bogra Prime Minister
(1953-1955)

Crown appointee

Leader of majority party

Chosen by G-G, adopted by majority party

Resigned

Ghulam Mohammed dismissed the government

1955-1956

PML

PML

Iskandar Mirza
Governor General

Ch. Mohammed Ali
Prime Minister

Crown appointee

Leader of majority coalition

Became President

Resigned

1956-1958

PML

AL

PML

Republican

Iskander Mirza
President

Hussain Shaheed Suharwardi
(1957)

Ibrahim Ismaeel Chundrigarh
(1957)

Malik Feroze
Khan Noon
(1957-1958)

Elected

Leader of majority coalition

Invited by President

Leader of majority coalition

Military coup (First)

Forced by President to resign

Resigned for lack of majority

Military coup (First)

Oct.1958-1962

General Ayub Khan, Chief Martial Law Administrator (CMLA)

Military coup (First)

Became President after deposing Mirza

1962-1969

General Ayub Khan
President

Non party election under the 1962 Constitution

Military Coup (Second) on President's invitation

1969-1971

Martial Law

General Yahya Khan
CMLA/President

Military Coup (Second)

Resigned following the Bengal debacle

1971-1973

PPP

PML

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto
President (Chief Martial Law Administrator, Dec. 1971-April 1972)

Noor-ul-Amin
Prime Minister
(Dec. 1971)

Transfer by CMLA

Chosen by CMLA

Became Prime Minister under 1973 Constitution

Faded away after the Bengal debacle

1973-1977

PPP

Non-partisan, earlier PPP

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto
Prime Minister

Fazal Ilahi
President
(1973-1978)

Leader of majority party

Military coup (Third)

Left after completing his term

1977-1978

Martial Law

General Zia ul Haq
Chief Martial Law Administrator
(CMLA)

Military dictator

Became President also

1978-1985

General Zia ul Haq
President and CMLA

Military dictator

Elections were held under amended 1973 Constitution and martial law was lifted

1985-1988

PML

Zia ul Haq
President

M.K. Junejo
Prime Minister
(1985-1988)

Non-party 'referendum'

Nominated by Zia under the 1973 amended Constitution

Zia died in a plane crash in August 1988

Dismissed by President Zia

Caretaker Government May 1988 - December 1988

1988-1990

PPP

Benazir Bhutto
Prime Minister

Ghulam Ishaq Khan
President
(1988-1993)

First multi-party elections

Filled vacancy 1988
Elected 1989

Government dissolved by President Ishaq

Caretaker Government August 1990 - November 1990

1990-1993
(April)

Pakistan
Muslim
League
(N)

PML
(N)

Nawaz Sharif
Prime Minister

Ghulam Ishaq Khan
President

2nd multi-party elections

Government dissolved by President Ishaq

Caretaker Government April 1993 - May 1993

May 1993 to July 1993

PML
(N)

Nawaz Sharif
Prime Minister

Ghulam Ishaq Khan
President

Government reinstated by Supreme Court

Sharif and Ishaq both resigned under pressure

Caretaker Government July 1993 - October 1993

1993-1996

PPP

Benazir Bhutto
Prime Minister

Farooq Leghari
President
(1993-1997)

3rd multi-party elections

Government dismissed by President Leghari

Caretaker Government November 1996 - February 1997

1997

PML
(N)

Nawaz Sharif
Prime Minister

Farooq Leghari
President

Rafique Tarrar
President since
Dec. 1997

4th multi-party elections

Resigned in 1997