The abrupt fall of Zia-ul-Haq’s administration signified the return of Pakistan’s parliamentary democracy. The 1988 general elections brought Benazir Bhutto, the leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). It was the first time in history that such an important step towards democracy in a Muslim country was made, because it meant that a woman had become the head of the government in a predominantly male society. 

However, there were no grounds for optimistic expectations about a stable democratic government since Benazir’s administration worked in the conditions of strict control; namely, the power of the presidency, opposition, and constant military interference restricted the freedom of the federal government.

Benazir Bhutto’s First Term (1988–1990)

The Pakistan People’s Party won the 1988 elections, securing 92 seats out of 205. For the first time in the political history of Pakistan, a female Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, was sworn in as the leader of the country. On her election as the first woman PM, Ghulam Ishaq Khan stated, “She is a young, educated, decent, and capable lady. She has immense love for the country and has the spirit of service to the masses.” 

Ghulam Ishaq Khan was appointed as the President of Pakistan on December 12, 1988, for a period of five years. Ghulam Ishaq Khan implemented the policy of “Divide and Rule.” He has played an active role in center-province relations. The government of Benazir Bhutto became the target of various contradictions and crises, particularly the government of Nawaz Sharif in Punjab. The opposition has also accused the Zardari family of earning commissions on all the business deals that the government has approved. Ms. Bhutto had granted an overall pardon for all the prisoners. Hundreds of rapists, murderers, and saboteurs were also pardoned through the Prime Minister’s executive order. 

The province of Baluchistan also experienced some difficulty adjusting to the center. The Chief Minister Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, who himself harbored some grievances with the PPP and was encouraged by Ghulam Ishaq Khan, joined forces with the overly ambitious Nawaz Sharif in destabilizing the center. Actually, she let herself get diverted from these two things. One, the lust for controlling all the opposition parties. Two, she let her husband take advantage of the political power he wielded for his personal gains. 

In view of the situation that prevailed at the time, Ghulam Ishaq Khan dissolved the government of Benazir Bhutto by virtue of the 8th amendment. Despite being elected as the President of Pakistan for the next 5 years by the government of Benazir Bhutto, she later conceded that this was her greatest blunder in politics.

Nawaz Sharif’s First Term (1990-1993)

Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) got a victory in the 1990 elections, winning 105 seats. Nawaz Sharif was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan in November 1990. According to Nawaz Sharif, the IJI government aimed to establish everlasting and refined........

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