A Political History of Pakistan(1947-2007): Book Review

This book describes the political history of Pakistan from the time of Partition to the Musharraf government. In considerable detail, the authors have described the main features and predominant trends. The aims and achievements of the successive governments are analyzed with particular attention to the interplay of socio-economic forces and interests. The country's foreign policy is examined in the context of the regional and global situation with special regard to the relations between Pakistan and the USSR/Russia.

This is a serious, scholarly narrative regarding the life of the nation. The seven chapters of the book correspond to a specific historical period. The first chapter deals with the struggle for the creation of the new state and the forces driving its emergence. The second chapter analyzes the formative years up to the military coup of 1958, while the third chapter describes in detail the internal and foreign policy of the Ayub Khan administration. In the fourth chapter, the authors single out specific features of the Z.A. Bhutto administration (1971-1977), and in the fifth chapter, they deal with the decade-long rule of General Ziaul Haq. The sixth chapter relates to the study of the 1988-1999 democratic interregnum. The last chapter details the policies during General Pervez Musharraf's rule of the country.

Authers of The Book

V.Y. Belokrenitsky, Deputy Director, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, and V.N. Moskalenko, Chief Research Associate, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences Vyacheslav Yakovlevich Belokrenitsky is a scholar whose main fields of interest have included the economic and political history of Pakistan, international relations in South and Central Asia, and the demography of the Muslim world. Belokrenitsky is presently Deputy Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow. He is also Head of the Centre for the Study of Near and Middle Eastern Countries at the Institute. Vladimir Nikolaevich Moskalenko is presently Chief Research Associate at the Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences. Moskalenko has also served as Professor at the M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State (National) University. His main areas of interest include the political history of Pakistan; Islam in Pakistan; and the foreign policies of Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, and the Central Asian Republics. Introducton and Chapters 1,2,4 and 6 is written by Vyacheslav Yakovlevich Belokrenitsky while chapters 3,5,7 is written by Vladimir Nikolaevich Moskalenko Book consists of following Chapters: Book is consisted of introduction, seven chapters and Chronology at the end; Glossary Introduction 1. Historical Background to the Creation of Pakistan and Emergence of the State 2. State Building: First Parliamentary Experience (1947-1958) 3. Generals in Power (1958-1971) 4. Civil Administration of Z.A. Bhutto (1971-1977) 5. The Military-Bureaucratic Regime of General Ziaul Haq (1977-1988) 6. The Period of Parliamentary Democracy (1988-1999) 7. General Pervez Musharraf's Government Conclusion Chronology Bibliography Index Book starts with the heading of Introduction in which author has covered whole history of Pakistan shortly. 1. Historical Background to the Creation of Pakistan and Emergence of the State In this chapter author has covered whole Pre-Pakistan history,origion of Pakistan is traced back to Aurong Zeb Alimgir . Muslims parted ways from congress in 1930. Struggle for separation started in 1937 when congress ignored ML and formed government in almost all  the provinces.According to the author second world war paved way for the separation of Pakistan.He terms all the events and struggle of muslims from 1940-1947 as Final phase of struggle. 2. State Building: First Parliamentary Experience (1947-1958) In this chapter Author describes emergence of Pakistan and partition related tribulations,Disputes over territories like Kashmir and other borders,unequal distribution of assets. He explains the political development,stabilization and constitution making process which was ultimately resolved by Bogra formulae in 1954.He analyzes initiative of Pakistan's foreign policy,adoption of constitution and socio-economic changes that took place from 1947-1958.He has also described disputes with India crises that emerged due to confrontations of politicians and these crises were unfolded by military coup of   1958 when Skandar Mirza imposed Martial Law ans Ayub Khan was appointed as chief Martial Law Administrator. 3. Generals in Power (1958-1971) Chapter no three covers two consecutive martial laws. Ayub Khan military rule lasted for three and half years while after the promulgation of the constitution of 1962 he became president of Pakistan. From 1959-1962,Ayub Khan framed new constitution,reformed judicial system,strived and struggled to stable the economy and succeeded to great extent,introduced land reforms, adopted a new industrial and foreign trade policy which brought a lot of investment to Pakistan. Due to his foreign trade policy foreign trade policy Capital reserves increased.He made Islamic education compulsory in schools also modernized the educational system .His Family Law stabilized the family system in Pakistan.Through his regional policy 3he protected different ethnicity in Pakistan.His Labor Policy gave labors protection of their rights,time limitations of duty and right to make labors' associations. Author described that after the promulgation of 1962 constitution, Ayub's civilian rule starts in which political process was evolved,Basic democracies were introduced to devolute powers to gross root level.During his rule foreign relations were cultivated with most of world states particularly with china. Ayub Khan stepped down when he was pressurized by the masses to leave the post of president. Yaya Khan took over, imposed Martial Law ,Abrogated the constitution,led military government for two years but could not convince politicians, stepped down after he was alleged of the separation of Pakistan.He handed over the Powers of Chief Martial Law administrators to civilian Z.A.Bhutto. 4. Civil Administration of Z.A. Bhutto (1971-1977) In the start of this chapter,  the Author appreciates the crismatic leadership qualities of Z.A.Bhutto.According to the author Pakistan got its second birth in the leadership of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.First thing that Zulfiqar Ali bhutto did was reformation of foreign policy. he brought Pakistan closer to Islamic world by convening the session of OIC in Lahore.He introduced socio-economic,land and administrative reforms. He is credited to have given Pakistan Constitution of 1973,a sacred and cosensusable document. According to the Author end of his tenure was not good because he had grown conflicts with military.His conflict with military,successes and failures of his foreign policy are written in detail. His crismatic Leadership was not acceptable for military thats why his victory of 1978 elections was turned into defeat. Military cleansed way by sidelining Bhutto. they saw a murder case was initiated against Bhutto,Made this case instrumental , as Bhutto was sentenced to death. 5. The Military-Bureaucratic Regime of General Ziaul Haq (1977-1988) Jeneral Zia ul Haq imposed Martial Law on 7 July 1977,He enjoyed the longest military rule of seven and half years unlike his predecessors. According to author social context and aim of Zia's Policy was to Islamize the country .He manoeuvred with politics to prolong his military rule by dalaying elections time and again. He brought good economic results to country.He adopted the policy of islamization and issued various ordinances that became successful to Islamise the people.His foreign policy worked well,making good relations in wake of soviet intervention in Afghanistan. 6. The Period of Parliamentary Democracy (1988-1999) This this chapter all political event that took palce from 1988-1999 are written in detail. Bainzeer won elections of 1988 and formed governmet but govt was dissolved by pro-military President of pakistan Ghulam Ishaq. After winning elections of 1992 Nawaz Sharif Rose to the post of PM.In 1992 Nawaz sharif withdrew from Government. Nwe elections held  in 1993 PPP formed Coilation government.He lost her government as well in 1996 due to economic crises in country.Elections held in 1997 and Nawaz Aharif once again became PM.But his government was also overthrown by Musharaf in 1999 due to confrontations between military and Politicians. 7. General Pervez Musharraf's Government After the coup of 1999. Musharaf became Chief Martial Law administrartor of the country.Auther tells that one of the reason of overthrow of Governmet was rivelry between Nawaz Sharif and Musharaf.Martial Law was lifted in 2002.Country remained in state of emergency from 1999-2002. Period of Musharaf from 2002-2007 is called " Military parliamentary regime". Elections held in 2002 and PML(Q) formed government.He also introduced Local Body System. In 2007,crises erupted, Bainzeer and Nawaz Shatif came to Pakistan.Elections held PPP won and formed government. Now Musharaf had to stepdown due to pressure of government and Opposition. In the end a detailed discription of the foreign policy of every phase is written.Chronolog is at the end fron 1885-2008.