Until 1971, Pakistan and Bangladesh were one country and their experiences were the same. When Pakistan made its first constitution, General Ayub Khan assumed power and through election he became the President. As the people were unhappy, he had to leave office. Again there was military rule under Yahya Khan. It was during his rule that Pakistan faced the Bangladesh crisis. In 1971, after Pakistan’s war with India, Bangladesh was separated and it became an independent country. After the independence of Bangladesh, democracy was restored in Pakistan and Zulkar Ali Bhutto became the PM. Democracy continued until 1977 when Bhutto was overthrown by Zia ul Haq.
In 1988, under Benazir Bhutto democracy came back. Until 1999, democracy existed in Pakistan under the Pakistan People’s Party. Then there was Muslim league rule under Nawaz Sheri. Again the military under General Musharaf removed Sheri and Musharaf became the President. He continued until 2008. In 2008, Sheri and Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan. During an election rally, Benazir Bhutto Contemporary World Politics was killed by an extremist. Then a Ministry was formed by a coalition of the Muslim League and PPP. Yusuf Raza Gilani was the PM. Soon they elected Asif Ali Zardari as the President. Now Pakistan has a democratic government.
It is because of the following reasons that Pakistan does not have a stable democracy:
- Interference by the army, priests and landlords in the administration.
- Because of the dispute between India and Pakistan, the Pakistani army acquired great power.
- Lack of international support for the democratic governments often helped the military to come to power.
- America and some other Western countries prefer a military government in Pakistan. They are afraid that democracy there would make Muslim extremism grow and the extremists might get control over the nuclear weapons in the possession of Pakistan. They think military rule is better for the safety of the Western and Southern Asian regions.
Experience of Bangladesh in Democracy:
Until 1971, it was part of Pakistan. During the British rule, Bangladesh was part of Bengal and Assam.
Because of the following reasons,they were dissatisfied with West Pakistan:
- Supremacy of West Pakistan and imposing Urdu on them.
- Neglect of Bengali culture and looking at it as inferior. East Pakistan was not given
- proper representation in the administration and politics.
All these things caused Sheikh Mujibur Rehman to lead a protest against Pakistan. His Party was the Awami League. It won all the seats in East Pakistan. It won majority in the whole of Pakistan’s Constituent Assembly but West Pakistan was not willing to approve it. Mujibur Rehman was arrested. West Pakistan sowed fear in the minds of East Pakistanis. But in 1971, with the help of India, Bangladesh was freed.
Bangladesh accepted a secular, democratic, socialist constitution. In 1975, Mujibur Rehrrian brought Presidential rule. He banned all political parties except the Awami League. This caused many disputes and tensions. As a result the army gained power and Mujibur Rehman was assassinated. Under the new army commander Zia ur Rehman a national party was formed, in 1979 that party won the election. But Zia ur Rehman was killed. Then military rule came under Lt. General H.M. Ershad. Because of students’ protest, he had to allow some politics. Then he was elected as the President for 5 years. In 1990, because of the opposition of the people, Ershad had to quit office. In 1991, there was election. From then democracy is continuing there in a multiparty system.
