Pakistan

Politics

Domestic politics

Main article: Politics of Pakistan

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Form of government

Officially a federal republic, Pakistan has had a long history of alternating periods of electoral democracy and authoritarian military government. The most recent general elections were held in October 2002. After monitoring the October 2002 elections, the Commonwealth Observer Group stated in its report, "We believe that on election day this was a credible election: the will of the people was expressed and the results reflected their wishes." http://www.thecommonwealth.org/shared_asp_files/uploadedfiles/%7BB8E19A5C-0810-4AAF-AD3A-F0AFCEE0E814%7D_Pakistan%202002.pdf

Related Topics:
Federal - Republic - Authoritarian - 2002

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On 22 May 2004, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group re-admitted Pakistan into the Commonwealth, formally acknowledging "the progress made in restoring democracy and rebuilding democratic institutions in Pakistan." http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=37863

Related Topics:
22 May - 2004 - Commonwealth

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Political parties

Before and during the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the secular and centrist Pakistan Muslim league supported the creation of Pakistan while the far-right Islamic conservative party opposed the creation of Pakistan and supported a united India. The far-right parties have never enjoyed popular support among a majority of Pakistanis. The liberal, leftist Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) emerged as a major political player during the 1970s.

Related Topics:
Secular - Centrist - Pakistan Muslim league - Islamic conservative party - Liberal - Leftist - Pakistan Peoples Party - 1970s

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Currently, the largest party in Parliament is the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (PML-Q) and the second largest is the Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians (PPPP). The PML-Q obtained a plurality in the October 2002 elections.

Related Topics:
Pakistan Muslim League (Q) - Plurality - 2002

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Most recent national election results

Political history

Politically, Pakistan has been ruled by both democratic and military governments. General Ayub Khan was the president from 1958 to 1969, and General Yahya Khan from 1969 to 1971. Civilian rule continued from 1971 to 1977 under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, but he was deposed by General Zia-Ul-Haq. General Zia was killed in a plane crash in 1988, after which Benazir Bhutto, daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was elected as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. She was the youngest woman to ever be elected the Head of Government and the first woman to be elected as the Head of Government of a Muslim country. Her government was followed by that of Nawaz Sharif, and the two leaders alternated until the military coup by General Pervez Musharraf in 1999. Since the resignation of President Rafiq Tarar in 2001, Musharraf has been the President of Pakistan.

Related Topics:
Ayub Khan - 1958 - 1969 - Yahya Khan - 1971 - 1977 - Zulfikar Ali Bhutto - General Zia - Benazir Bhutto - Prime Minister of Pakistan - Head of Government - Nawaz Sharif - Pervez Musharraf - 1999 - President - Rafiq Tarar

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Nation-wide parliamentary elections were held in October 2002, with the PML-Q winning a plurality of seats in the National Assembly of Pakistan, and Zafarullah Khan Jamali of that party emerging as Prime Minister.

Related Topics:
PML-Q - Plurality - National Assembly of Pakistan - Zafarullah Khan Jamali - Prime Minister

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Jamali resigned on June 26, 2004. PML-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain became interim PM, and was succeeded by Finance Minister and former Citibank Vice President Shaukat Aziz, who was elected Prime Minister on August 27, 2004 by a National Assembly vote of 191 to 151.

Related Topics:
June 26 - 2004 - PML - Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain - Finance Minister - Citibank - Shaukat Aziz

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Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of Pakistan

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Pakistan was an ally of the United States for much of its early history as a modern nation-state, from the 1950s and as a member of CENTO and SEATO. However, it all changed from 1965 when Pakistan went to war with India during the height of the Cold War with India. The US placed heavy military sanctions on Pakistan during the war forcing Pakistan to agree to the cease fire and pulling out of the war that was heading for a stalemate.

Related Topics:
United States - 1950s - CENTO - SEATO - War with India - Cold War

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After the 1965 war Pakistan had moved away from the US and its relations with China became stronger and soon both nations declared their alliance. Their relations have gone so far that it concerns the Western Super Powers. Pakistan dropped out of CENTO and SEATO for Chinese and supported their induction as permanent member of United Nations Security Council with Veto authority. Pakistan did this against the United States' will.

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United States did not return to Pakistan as a friend until the 1971 war. In November 1971 Pakistan was involved in a bloody civil war which led to Indian intervention and the breaking away of East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. China supported Pakistan and did not accept the new nation of Bangladesh for over 3 years, even though in 1973 Pakistan itself had. The US also did not accept Bangladesh in favor of Pakistan until after the Simla Treaty.

Related Topics:
China - 1973 - Simla Treaty

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This time US had returned as friend with sympathy to Pakistan just because of Soviet involvement in the war and Chinese influence on Pakistan. They wanted to regain the lost ally but the alliance will not be formed until Afghan war. In the 1980s US returned as ally to Pakistan and supplied the needed arms to Pakistan which was training supporting anti-Soviet militia in Afghanistan. US will also provide Pakistan with F-16s which were enough for enemies not to take their fighters to skies against PAF. China how ever stood away from this and only morally supported Pakistan. China said it will not intervene into Pakistan-US relations which in fact had always bothered them. China has never liked United State's political and diplomatic games with Pakistan and had warned Pakistan against US on many occasions.

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After the Afghan war which ended in favor of Anti-Soviet Alliance, US left Pakistan alliance and imposed sanctions on Pakistan on the basis of Pakistan's nuclear program. All military equipment were again barred. It was China which came back to Pakistan's aid and helped Pakistan establish military industry of its own along with aviation industry.

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Since then, Pakistan, not relying on the United States but on China, has produced its own tanks, fighter jets, guns and other military equipment and is also exporting them.

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Both Pakistan and China enjoy free trade with each other as well. China has also establish the biggest port in region in Pakistan's port town of Gwadar.

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The US has returned as Pakistan's ally but it has been too late for them to stop the Chinese influence in Pakistan, which is said to be concrete.

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Another strong long term ally of Pakistan used to be Iran under the Shah. But after the fall of Shah relations have not been that of an ally and Iran no longer is referred to as ally.

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Besides the US and China, Pakistan enjoys alliance with some Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. PAF pilots fly fighters for these two countries. Libya and Syria are the only two middle eastern countries with whom Pakistan enjoys great relations even though they were Soviet allies.

Related Topics:
Saudi Arabia - United Arab Emirates - PAF - Libya - Syria

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Pakistan is also an important member of the OIC, which brings it closer to every Muslim country. Besides OIC, Pakistan is a member of South Asian union of SAARC.

Related Topics:
OIC - SAARC

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Pakistan is the second largest Muslim country in terms of population and its status as declared nuclear power—the only Islamic nation—also plays into its role on the international scene.

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