Election History in Pakistan

Pakistan is a democratic country that has had a tumultuous political history since its inception in 1947. The country has had a total of 12 general elections, with the first being held in 1970, and the most recent in 2018. In this article, we will take a closer look at the election history of Pakistan and explore some of the key events and developments that have shaped the country's political landscape over the past several decades

Pakistan is a democratic country that has had a tumultuous political history since its inception in 1947. The country has had a total of 12 general elections, with the first being held in 1970, and the most recent in 2018. In this article, we will take a closer look at the election history of Pakistan and explore some of the key events and developments that have shaped the country's political landscape over the past several decades.

The First General Election

The first general election in Pakistan was held in 1970, just three years after the country gained independence from British colonial rule. The election was marred by violence and controversy, with the East Pakistan-based Awami League party winning a majority of seats in the national assembly. However, the ruling government at the time, led by President Yahya Khan, refused to recognize the election results, leading to widespread protests and unrest.

The Birth of Bangladesh

The refusal of the ruling government to recognize the election results led to a bloody civil war between East and West Pakistan, with India also becoming involved in the conflict. In 1971, East Pakistan declared its independence from West Pakistan and formed the new country of Bangladesh. The war resulted in the deaths of millions of people and led to a significant change in the political landscape of the region.

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's Rise to Power

Following the civil war, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto emerged as a prominent political figure in Pakistan. Bhutto founded the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and served as the country's prime minister from 1973 until 1977. During his tenure, Bhutto implemented a number of progressive policies, including the nationalization of key industries and the adoption of a new constitution that recognized Pakistan as an Islamic republic.

General Zia's Military Rule

In 1977, General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq overthrew Bhutto's government in a military coup and declared himself president of Pakistan. Zia's rule was characterized by strict censorship of the media, the suppression of political dissent, and the implementation of Islamic laws and customs. In 1988, Zia died in a plane crash, leading to the country's first democratic transition of power.

Benazir Bhutto's Prime Ministership

Following Zia's death, Benazir Bhutto, the daughter of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, became the country's first female prime minister. Bhutto's tenure was marked by political instability and economic turmoil, with the government being dissolved and reinstated several times. Bhutto's government was eventually dismissed in 1996, and she was later assassinated in 2007 while campaigning for the 2008 general election.

Nawaz Sharif's Prime Ministership

Nawaz Sharif, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), served as the country's prime minister from 1990 to 1993, and again from 1997 to 1999. Sharif's tenure was marked by economic growth and development, as well as increased tensions with India over the disputed territory of Kashmir. Sharif's second term was cut short when he was overthrown in a military coup by General Pervez Musharraf.

Musharraf's Military Rule

General Pervez Musharraf ruled Pakistan from 1999 until 2008, following his coup against Nawaz Sharif's government. Musharraf's rule was characterized by a number of controversial policies, including the implementation of an emergency rule in 2007 and the military operation in the tribal regions of Pakistan to combat terrorism. In 2008, Musharraf resigned as president and went into self-imposed exile.

The Return of Democracy

In 2008, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won

1. 1947: Pakistan's first general elections were held soon after the country gained independence from British colonial rule. These elections were held on the basis of separate electorates for Muslims and non-Muslims.

2. 1951-1954: Pakistan's second general elections were held in 1951-1952. However, these elections were dismissed by the government, and fresh elections were held in 1954. The 1954 elections were the first to be held on the basis of adult franchises, and the Awami League emerged as the largest party in East Pakistan.

3. 1962: The country's first military dictator, General Ayub Khan, held presidential elections in 1962, in which he ran unopposed.

4. 1970: The 1970 general elections were the first to be held on the basis of universal adult franchise. The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) won a majority of seats in West Pakistan, while the Awami League won a majority of seats in East Pakistan.

5. 1977: The 1977 general elections were held under the rule of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. However, these elections were marred by allegations of rigging, which led to widespread protests and the eventual overthrow of Bhutto's government in a military coup.

6. 1985: General Zia-ul-Haq, who came to power after the 1977 coup, held non-party elections in 1985, which were widely criticized for being rigged.

7. 1988: Following General Zia's death in a plane crash in 1988, elections were held, and the PPP emerged as the largest party. Benazir Bhutto became the first female prime minister in the Muslim world.

8. 1990: The PPP government was dismissed by President Ghulam Ishaq Khan in 1990, and fresh elections were held, which were won by the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) alliance.

9. 1993: The PPP returned to power in 1993 after winning the general elections, and Benazir Bhutto became prime minister for the second time.

10. 1999: General Pervez Musharraf seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999 and remained in power until 2008.

11. 2002: General Musharraf held general elections in 2002, which were widely criticized for being rigged. The Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q), a pro-Musharraf party, won a majority of seats.

12. 2008: Following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in 2007, elections were held in 2008, and the Pakistan People's Party emerged as the largest party.

13. 2013: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) won a majority of seats in the 2013 general elections, and Nawaz Sharif became prime minister for the third time.

14. 2018: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by former cricketer Imran Khan, won a majority of seats in the 2018 general elections, and Imran Khan became prime minister. These elections were also criticized for being rigged by opposition parties.