Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (1971-1977)
Introduction:
The war with India in December 1971, when concluded, left Pakistan to face its greatest crisis since
independence. Pakistan was dismembered and left with only four provinces of West Pakistan.
Pakistan had lost a whole province of 70 million population and over 54,501 square miles of territory.
There were some 93,000 prisoners of war in India and Bangladesh. Moreover, Pakistan’s
international credit was depleted. Faced with these difficulties, president Yahya Khan ceded power to
Z. A. Bhutto. On December 20th, 1971, ZAB took over two positions from Yahya Khan, one as the
president and other as the chief martial law administrator. In this dismal hour, he showed his
determination to build a new Pakistan out of a country and nation that was in shock and low in spirits.
Political reforms:
Ø Constitution of 1973: the constitution of 1973 was approved on 10th August 1973, and
promulgated on 14th August 1973. The following are the salient features of the constitution.
1. Parliamentary system of government was provided in the constitution. President was to be the
head of state and was to act on the advice of the PM. The leader of majority party in parliament
was to be the PM.
2. Written constitution, detailed document with Islamic character.
3. Partly rigid and partly flexible: the constitution was partly flexible and partly rigid, and could
be amended with 2/3rd majority of both houses of the parliament.
4. Bicameral legislature: the constitution provided for a bicameral legislature consisting of 2
houses at the center-the National Assembly and the Senate. Representation was according to
the population in the NA, and in the Senate, all provinces were to have equal number of seats.
5. Federal system: Pakistan was now a federation of 4 provinces. Power divided between the
center and the provinces.
6. Independence of judiciary was guaranteed under the constitution.
7. Fundamental rights of the citizens were also protected.
8. Official language: Urdu was to be the national language, where English was to continue as
official language for an interim period.
Islamic provisions of the constitution of 1973:
1. Name of the country to be Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
2. President and PM shall be Muslims by faith.
3. All laws of the state shall be brought in conformity with the teachings of Islam.
4. An Islamic Advisory Council to be set up on order to bring existing laws of the country in
conformity with Islamic principles.
5. Steps shall be taken to enable Muslims of Pakistan to live their lives according to the principles
of Islam.
6. Efforts shall be made by the state for the proper organization of Zakat, Auqaf, and Mosques.
7. Correct and exact printing and publishing of Holy Quran shall be ensured.
8. Rights and interests of minorities shall be protected.
Ø Army: steps were taken to bring army under civilian control, and to make the government less
dependent on the army.
− Many senior army leaders were prematurely retired.
− Loyal army men were promoted and given important posts.
− Tikka Khan made chief of army staff (new title of Commander in Chief)
− Federal Security Force set up- it was loyal to Bhutto and was used to intimidate opposition
Ø Civil services: structure was revamped, with a new scale system and recruitment policy to
ensure efficiency and merit.
Industrial reforms:
Bhutto’s industrial reforms were two fold, nationalization and improvement of workers’ conditions
(labor reforms). Bhutto’s economic policies were guided by his socialist tilt of mind.
Nationalization: Bhutto nationalized basic industries like steel, chemical, and cement industries in the
first phase of nationalization.
In the second phase, he went over to nationalize cotton, sugar, and vegetable oil industries in
September 1973.
The third phase of nationalization took place on 1st January 1974, when all banks and financial
institutions were nationalized.
Labor reforms: During ZAB’s period, the labor sector received special attention. The number of trade
unions increased. Right of minimum wage was given besides benefits like medical facilities,
compensation for injuries at work etc. It was also the responsibility of the government to provide
education to at least one child of a worker. Thus it was through these steps that the slogan “socialism
our economy” was implemented.
Q) Why did the nationalization policy fail?
• Professional businessmen were replaced by civil servants who cared little about the state of
industries.
• Lack of skilled personnels.
• World economic recession brought a decline in production and subsequently profits of
industries lessened.
• Corruption could not be checked in industrial management.
Agricultural reforms:
Himself a land owner/lord, ……….. agricultural production through various means.
Land reforms: Bhutto further reduced the ceiling (limit) put on land by Ayub, to 250 acres (later 150)
on irrigated land, and 500 acres (later 300) on non-irrigated land.
• Bhutto also gave tenants security of tenure of the land they farmed, therefore tenants having
the first right to purchase the land they farmed.
• However, the overall situation changed little, for there was no practical implementation of this
policy for various reasons.
Educational reforms:
Pakistan’s literacy rate at that time was only 25%, so steps were taken to improve educational
curriculum and facilities, and to bring in uniformity in the education system.
In march 1972, the education policy was announced and adopted with the aim of
• Free and universal education up to class 10
• All educational institutions were nationalized
• Besides this, more schools, colleges and universities were opened
• Teachers welcomed nationalization as government jobs were permanent, and private were not.
• Moreover, salaries were raised
− But these policies met little success due to
• Non-allocation of education funds
• Declining education standard
• Over crowding of educational institutions
• Unwillingness of poor people to send their children to schools
Health reforms:
The aim was to bring medical treatment within the reach of common man.
• ……. Health Policy initiated networks of Basic Health Units in rural and urban areas.
• The number of medical colleges increased from 7 in 1971 to 14 in 1975.
• Students were admitted on merit to training colleges for doctors and nurses.
• Import, manufacture and sale of medicines under brand name was prohibited. This made
medicines cheap.
• Intensive family and population planning programs were initiated.
Important events:
• 20th December 1971 - ZAB becomes president and chief martial law administrator.
• 2nd July 1972 - Simla Agreement is signed by ZAB and Indra Gandhi.
• 1972 – Pakistan withdraws from the membership of SEATO and common wealth.
• February 1974 – Islamic Summit Conference held in Lahore
• May 1973 – military action begins in Balouchistan
• September 1974 – Qadianis declared non-Muslims
• August 1973 – Fazl-e-Ilahi becomes the president
• 1977 – Bhutto’s call for general elections
• 1977 – Pakistan National Alliance (PNA), an opposition alliance against Bhutto formed
• 5th July 1977 – army takes control through “Operation Fairplay”
Q) Causes for the downfall of Bhutto.
• Nationalization policy antagonized industrialists.
• Bhutto’s dictatorial attitude in dealing everyone.
• Insurgency in Balouchistan and military action.
• Federal Security Force was seen as Bhutto’s terrorist group/organization to intimidate
opposition.
• Bhutto lost the support of different factions as he could not fulfill his promises especially Roti,
Kapra, Makaan.
• Martial law declared in various cities gave the army a chance to intervene.
• PNA movement and elections of 1977 weakened him considerably.
Q) Why was ZAB arrested and subsequently executed in 1979?
• Bhutto was charged/accused with murder of a political opponent, Nawab Ahmed Kasuri, father
of Ahmed Raza Kasuri.
o Bhutto was found guilty and sentenced to death by Lahore High Court. Later, Supreme
Court upheld the decision.
• Zia wanted to discredit Bhutto, and wanted to remove him from his way. Zia knew it had to be
either Zia or Bhutto.
• Charges of corruption and using FSF for his own ends, on Bhutto.
