Dr Ayesha Jalal in her book 'Struggle for Pakistan' recounts how in the aftermath of East Pakistan’s secession, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto emerged as the pivotal figure in Pakistani politics, vowing to restore democracy and implement sweeping reforms.
She states, “The loss of East Pakistan had administered a rude shock to the West Pakistani economy. A way had to be found to restructure trade and find alternative markets for West Pakistani goods, 50 per cent of which had been absorbed by the eastern wing. In dire need of foreign exchange, the government agreed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank conditions for debt rescheduling and devalued the rupee from Rs. 4.75 to Rs.11 to one dollar.”
Facing economic turmoil, Bhutto turned to populism, nationalizing industries and framing a socialist agenda under the banner of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP). Despite efforts to appease feuding factions, including religious conservatives, Bhutto's tenure was marred by controversy and political opposition.
“The populist buzzword of social justice was enshrined in the PPP’s motto: Islam is our faith, democracy is our polity, socialism is our economy, all power to the people.”
Following that, the video highlights that in a defining moment for Pakistan, the national assembly unanimously passed an amendment to the constitution on September 7, 1974, pronouncing the Ahmadis as a minority. Any definition of a Muslim by the state was bound to throw open the floodgates of bigotry against smaller and more vulnerable sects. Declaring Ahmadis non-Muslims laid the basis for an exclusionary idea of citizenship, undermining the Pakistani nation-state’s commitment to equal rights of citizenship.
“The ramifications of his decision soon became apparent as the prime minister came under increasing pressure from the religio-political parties. Looking to convert their victory on the Ahmadi issue into a definite electoral advantage, they demanded immediate institution of an Islamic system of government.”
The 1977 elections, marred by allegations of rigging, led to widespread unrest and ultimately, Bhutto's ousting in a military coup orchestrated by General Zia-ul-Haq. Zia's regime ushered in a period of Islamization, marked by the introduction of strict Sharia laws and the suppression of political dissent. Zia's rule, though supported by the United States due to Cold War dynamics and regional geopolitics, ended abruptly with his death in a mysterious plane crash in 1988. Pakistan’s politics came full circle, paving the way for Benazir Bhutto's rise to power and the restoration of civilian rule.
Benazir Bhutto secured a significant victory in the 1988 elections, and she assumed the role of Prime Minister, becoming the first woman to lead a Muslim-majority nation.