Q(II). Write a detailed note on Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s nationalization policy.

Ans: NATIONALIZATIO;

 

  1. Keeping in view the economic deprivation of the people Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

assured the people that all the big industrial units would be taken under

governmental control. This policy was called ‘nationalization’. Under this

policy the government took following major steps:

Institutes That Were Nationalized by Bhutto:

2. In January 1972, 32 heavy industrial units were taken under government

control. Important among these were: iron and steel industry, heavy

engineering, heavy electrical industry, automobile industry, tractor industry,

petrochemicals industry, cement industry, electricity, gas companies and oil

refineries etc.

Small industrialists were assured that government will protect and encourage

them and would not nationalize more industrial units in future. Despite this

assurance.the government started a second round of nationalization in 1972.

In this phase cotton, sugar, edible oil and ghee industries were nationalized.

This second phase ended in 1976 with the nationalization of paddy husking

units.

Life insurance companies were nationalized in March 1972, general

insurance was, however, exempted from nationalization. Private General

insurance companies were allowed to continue business. State Life

Insurance Corporation was instituted and its branches were opened

throughout Pakistan. On January 1, 1974 all private sector banks were

-nationalized.

Private educational institutions were also nationalized. Emoluments of the

employees of these institutions were brought at par to those of the

government employees.

Impacts of Nationalization:

Low Productivity and Inefficiency:

The policy of nationalization failed to achieve desired results. As a result of

this policy management of the industrial units passed into the hands cf

corrupt and inefficient bureaucracy and ruling parry workers and the

performance of all the nationalized industrial units badly deteriorated. Due to

shortfall in the production and because of higher production costs, prices of

essential items of daily consumption like flour, ghee and sugar enormously

increased.

Higher Inflation Rate:

In order to avoid unrest of the masses, salaries were raised. This resulted in

high rate of inflation. Economic condition of the country further deteriorated

when industrialists and investors started shifting their capital out of the

country.

3

1)

Deteriorating Standards of Education:

Emoluments of the nationalized education sector employees and the cost of

running the nationalized education institutions proved to be a great burden

on national treasury. Students were allowed to travel, almost free of cost by

public and private transport. Private sector transporters were reluctant to

extend this favor, this caused an atmosphere of constant tension among

students and the transporters. The liberty given to the students made them

negligent and carefree, Academic standards started deteriorating. Student’s

Unions became great threat to law and order.

Favorable Impact of Nationalization:

Bhutto’s government, however, must be given credit for the following

initiatives

Registration of the citizens (national identity card scheme).

(2) Beginning of the nuclear program.

Establishment of the Peoples Open University now known as ‘Allama Iqbal

Open University’.

Q(iii). What important steps were taken by Gen. Zia’s government in

respect of his Islamization policy?

Ans: Policy of Islamization:

After coming into power, General Zia-ul-Haq announced that he will entrust

power in the hands of people’s representatives after holding free and fair

elections within 90 days, but he changed his mind shortly after and

announced that his foremost objective was the implementation of Nizam-e-

Mustafa (A), (or the Shari’a law). This commitment was acclaimed

by a large section of the society. Given below is a brief summary of the steps

taken by General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in pursuance of his policy of

falamization:

Judiciary and Legal System:

Islamic penalties were imposed on crimes like drinking wine, tnoft, adultery

end gadaf (false allegation of adultery). Federal Shari’a Court was

established, ite status was equal to that of High Courts. Ulama were

appointed as judges in the shari’a Court. An Islamic University and a Shari’a

Faculty were instituted in islamabad The Objectives Resolution was made a

Juainable part of the constitution.

Financial Matters

Nizam-e-Zakat indreduced in 1900 and Nizam-e-Ushr in 1983. Certain

a! steps were taken for the elimination of riba (interest) from banking

pras Interest-free accounts, based on profit-loss-sharing were

introduced for the first time in the banking history of the country.

Observance of Religious Sanctities:

Calah Comes were formed in governmental institutions to make

trrangements for Zuhur prayer and motivating people for saying prayers.

Ehtram-e-Ramadan Ordinance was promulgated, which prohibited eating

and drinking at ulic places during the Holy month of Ramadan. Penalties

were imposed for passing sacrilegious remarks about Khulafa-e-Rashideen

(RA) and Anl-e-Bait (RA). Radio and television were ordered to broadcast

azan and hajj proceedings. Federal Ombudsman (Wifaqi Mohtasib) was

appointed with a mandate to eliminate corruption, malpractices and

incompetence from government institutions.

Education:

Islamic Studies was introduced as a compulsory subject at intermediate and

degree levels. Degrees of the religious schools (deeni madaris) were

declared equivalent to B.A. and M.A. degrees. Religious teachers in the

Armed Forces were, for the first time, given the status of commissioned

officers. In order to Islamize education system from roots, Masjid Maktab

Scheme was introduced at primary level. Figh (Islamic Jurisprudence) was

made a compulsory subject in law colleges.

Building of National Sprit:

National dress code was implemented in the courts of law. Wearing of

national dress was encouraged in government institutions. National dress

code was made mandatory for official gatherings. The president and the

prime minister themselves established the tradition of delivering formal

addresses in Urdu. Pakistan Studies was introduced as a compulsory

subject on Intermediate and Degree level.

Media:

Indecent and un-Islamic programs were banned on radio and television.

Arabic and the Holy Quran classes were started on radio and television.

Radio and television increased the number of religious programs and started

broadcasting the annual Hajj proceedings and other Islamic events.

Q(iv). Write a note on Muhammad Khan Junejo’s election as Prime

Minister and his dismissal later on.

Ans: Muhammad Khan Junejo’s Government (1985-1988):

(2)

(2)

ON

(3)

After his success in a controversial referendum, General Muhammad Zia-ul-

Haq took oath for the office of the president for next five years, on March 23,

1985, under restored constitution. Elections were held, on non-party basis,

and a well reputed Sindh based politician Muhammad Khan Junejo was

appointed prime minister. The Parliament passed 8th constitutional

amendment bill in December 1985. Martial law was lifted.

Salient features of 8th constitutional Bill:

Following are important features of the amendment:

All the steps so far taken by General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq and all changes

jr the constitution affected by him were legalized.

President’s power to dissolve the Parliament was given constitutional status.

All steps taken by General Zia, in pursuance of his Islamization policy, were

given constitutional protection.

Zia-Junejo Confrontation:

It was a general perception about Junejo that he will always follow Zia’s line

and remain loyal to him. But contrary to all expectations Junejo started to

assert the authority of the civil government. This created a rift between the

president and the prime minister, which further increased when Muhammad

Khan Junejo expressed his intention to curtail defense budget for

strengthening national economy. But the Geneva Accord proved to be the

ultimate cause for the removal of Muhammad Khan Junejo.

The Geneva Accord:

The main purpose of Geneva talks was to set a deadline for the withdrawal

of Soviet Army from Afghanistan. General Zia was of the opinion that

Pakistan should not sign this agreement until a Mujahideen Government is

established in Kabul. In March 1988 the Junejo government called a Round

Table Conference of political parties, for discussing what position Pakistan

should take in Geneva talks.

The Dismissal of the Junejo Government:

All the politicial parties supported Junejo’s point of view which was different

from Zia-ul-Haq’s opinion. In 1988 political consensus was developed on the

basic principles of Geneva Accord. General Zia-ul-Haq was unhappy with

the prime minister because he thought that Pakistan was going to become

unsafe if Americans leave Afghanistan without setting up a stable

government in Kabul. Pakistan and Afghanistan signed the Geneva Accord

on April 14, 1988, the US and the Soviet Union signed the accord as

guarantors. Soviet Union accepted her defeat and agreed to withraw all her

troops from Afghanistan till February 15, 1989. This resulted in the end of

Afghan war. Zia-ul-Haq dismissed Junejo government on May 29, 1988.

General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq died in a plane crash on August 17, 1988.

Senate chairman Ghulam Ishaq Khan took over as president after Zia’s

death.