Benazir Bhutto’s First Government (1988–1990): Challenges, Reforms & Dismissal

Benazir Bhutto’s First Government (1988–1990): Hope, Struggles & Dismissal

Link to Previous Era: For background, read the article on General Zia-ul-Haq’s Era (1977–1988).

Background: After the tragic death of General Zia-ul-Haq in a plane crash on 17 August 1988—an event that also claimed the lives of senior military officers and an American ambassador—the constitutional authority shifted to the Chairman Senate, Ghulam Ishaq Khan, who became the acting President of Pakistan under the constitution. He later announced general elections to be held in November 1988.

Benazir Bhutto’s Return & Political Mobilization: Benazir Bhutto, living in exile, made a historic return to Pakistan on 10 April 1986. Despite President Zia’s efforts to prevent her return, Prime Minister Junejo persuaded him to allow it to avoid global backlash against Pakistan’s democratic image. Upon arrival, she led a massive rally at Minar-e-Pakistan, which signaled her political power and generated alarm in military and political circles. To counter her rising influence, a smear campaign was launched against her, similar to the one used against Fatima Jinnah in the Ayub era. On 18 December 1987, Benazir married Asif Ali Zardari. It is believed that the election date—16 November 1988—was deliberately chosen to coincide with her pregnancy, assuming it would limit her campaign effectiveness. However, she gave birth two months earlier than expected, allowing her to campaign fully.

General Elections 1988: The elections were held on 16 November 1988. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) secured 92 seats in the National Assembly, while the opposition alliance Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) managed 54 seats. With the support of independent candidates, PPP eventually secured 115 seats. However, Benazir’s controversial statement about not nominating a Punjab-based PM created backlash in Punjab, leading to the IJI’s stronghold there. Three days after the national elections, provincial elections were held:

  • Punjab: IJI won 108 seats; PPP won 88. Nawaz Sharif became CM.
  • Sindh: PPP won 57 seats; MQM won 20. PPP formed government.
  • KPK: PPP won 17; IJI 19; ANP 12. A coalition government was formed.

Benazir Bhutto’s Premiership: Benazir Bhutto took oath as Prime Minister on 2 December 1988, becoming the first Muslim woman to lead a modern Muslim nation. Her government’s early challenge was selecting the next President. A verbal understanding with Ghulam Ishaq Khan not to field a PPP candidate for the presidency was later denied by PPP. Ghulam Ishaq Khan eventually became President, securing 608 votes.

Foreign Policy & SAARC Summit: The 4th SAARC Summit was held in Islamabad in December 1988. Benazir emphasized peaceful relations, particularly with India and Afghanistan. In a private meeting, she reportedly handed over a list of Sikh separatists to the Indian PM—a move later criticized domestically as a betrayal of the Khalistan cause. In return, India allegedly promised to ease military presence in Siachen, but this promise was not kept. Soon after, riots against Sikhs broke out in India following Interior Minister Aitzaz Ahsan’s visit, which fueled accusations against Bhutto’s government.

Economic and Development Policies: Benazir’s government focused on modernizing Pakistan’s economy and aimed to revive foreign investments. However, she faced U.S. sanctions due to Pakistan’s nuclear program. With George H.W. Bush replacing Ronald Reagan, Pakistan couldn’t assure the U.S. Congress about halting nuclear weapons development. Sanctions were imposed, freezing American aid.

Operation Jalalabad: Initiated under General Hamid Gul, this operation aimed to capture Jalalabad in Afghanistan by supporting 30,000 Mujahideen. It failed disastrously, leading to Hamid Gul’s dismissal as DG ISI and his transfer to Multan Corps.

Operation Midnight Jackal: A covert plot by rogue military officers to oust Benazir’s government through a no-confidence motion in 1990. It failed, but trust between the civilian government and military further deteriorated.

Religious Backlash: On 21 February 1990, religious clerics issued fatwas claiming female leadership was un-Islamic. Additionally, the Salman Rushdie controversy sparked nationwide protests, some violent, further destabilizing her government.

Operation Clean-Up / Pakka Qila Operation: A brutal military crackdown in Sindh targeting MQM strongholds. Despite MQM being PPP’s coalition partner, the operation resulted in 300+ deaths, damaging the alliance and the government’s popularity.

Constitutional Reforms: Benazir proposed the 11th Constitutional Amendment to enhance women’s representation in parliament and promote women's rights. Although it reflected her progressive vision, it failed to pass.

Rejoining the Commonwealth: Under her leadership, Pakistan rejoined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1989, reversing Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s earlier withdrawal after the 1971 debacle.

Dismissal: Growing rifts between Benazir Bhutto, President Ghulam Ishaq Khan, and the military establishment escalated. Using powers under Article 58(2)(b), President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dismissed Benazir’s government on 6 August 1990. Her first term lasted 1 year, 8 months, and 4 days.

Read the next article on Nawaz Sharif’s First Government (1990–1993).

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