Chapter No 4

Charter of Democracy
4.1 Background
When it comes to the revealing of signs what were significant to imply a developing organization
with the aim of opposing Musharrafs governing regime, these signs were identified back in
2005. Such development of events came along the establishment of the Alliance for the
Restoration of Democracy (ARD). ARD joined fifteen political parties under one name, agreeing
on practical and efficient political strategies with the aim to re-establish democracy in the
country along with supremacy of the parliament.
The most important change took place in May 2006 along with the events when two previous
prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif signed the Charter of Democracy. Even
though both of them were exposed to high risks as their parties and political plans were exposed
to strong domination in Pakistan, these opposing leaders so a common cause and signed a treaty
that has developed a plan of advancement which is of interest for the entire country.
4.2 Introduction
While reflecting on the history of the country, the military has almost strict regimes that can be
compared to those of ruling in the time of Bonaparte, has been negatively affecting and slowing
down the development of the country in various segments, such as the economy and democratic
institutions. The idea of a nation is often suffocated in such a regime and will not be able to
develop with the existing integrity and freedom in this military governed regime.
One of the main challenges that occur in such political situations is the campaigns that are being
led by villains who clime for their selves that are reps of the public. These representatives in
some cases take it even a step further and claim to represent the civilian, focusing on the
victimizing image of the political leaders and workers. The media in this country and under such
application of law is trialed under a Draconian law, with the aim to separate and remove the
parties of political representatives, as well as to divide into voting districts with taking a
disadvantage of the kings party, attempting to provide legitimate prolongation of the military
based rule.

Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah conceived the ideology of the
democratic idealism in Pakistan, proclaiming that only the people have the rught to govern the
country with selected representatives of legislative parties that would allow the county to
develop on many scales. One of the benefits of this regime would be providing economic
sustainability, social progression, democratic and pluralist pilitisc, federal cooperation and
ideological tolerance. This approach would exclude the harsh regimes of the legislative power
that the military and corrupt representative have today.
Such steps would allow the county to reaffirm the status of undiluted democratic and basic
human rights, as well as the right of tolerance and bipartisan electives in the parliament that
would include a committee. Cooperative federation legislation in the country would guarantee
lesser discrimination of the federation units, and lessen the decentralization process and increase
the power and stability in the entire country. It would also raise the autonomy of provinces
within Pakistan, raise education levels, hospitals and other necessary attributions that every
country needs.
The adaptation of the Charter of democracy came as an end result after pledging to all citizens of
Pakistan with the message that the dictating military regime must be put to an end as it controls
all liberal rights, violates worlds acts of freedom of speech, and to some level prevents the
progression and development of the country on economic, social and demographic aspects of the
country.
4.2 Charter of democracy:
As it has already been stated, Bhutto and Sharif have secretly signed the Charter of Democracy
on 15th May of 2006 in London. These actions lead to an intensification of debate in Pakistan
because the charter sketched a proposal of a future strategy that would be adopted. Currently
suspicion exist that there will be conceivable political aftermaths. In any case, what does the
contract craving to accomplish? How does the present Pakistani foundation judge the validity of
the contract? Could the Benazir-Sharif pair effectively actualize such a yearning arrangement
while avoiding their country? The contract guarantees far-reaching modifications in Pakistan and
visualizes a virtual rebuilding of the nation.

It raises worry over matters like disintegration of the organization's solidarity, the military's
subservience of all state foundations, the underestimation of common society, the joke of the
Constitution and delegate establishments, brutalisation of society, breakdown of the tenet of law,
and the exceptional hardships confronting the general population under military autocracy. It
goes ahead to indicate significant protected alterations, set of principles, free and reasonable
decisions, and enhanced common army associations. It implies that the military ruling cannot
coexist with the nation as it is adversely impacting the economical and democratic
establishments. It further implies that the defence capabilities of the country and its integrity are
being disputed, while the nation has a tendency that is different from these regimen approaches.
The two political leaders who have fled the country because of political repression, however they
have made a testimony to provide and secure democracy that confirms and fills its universal
standards. Such promises and approaches include recognition of fundamental rights, chances of
oppositions, internal democratic parties, ideological and political tolerance and communication
and operation assignments within the country that are processed with the bipartism committee. In
addition to guaranteeing such rights, this approach would allow the recognition and
implementation of women rights as well as minorities, and securing of the basic freedoms of
speech. The expectations and assumptions should not be analyzed firmly as such approaches
have not been secured entirely, but it has a potential to provide better future for the entire
country.
The ruling government in the Pakistani country has the approach of such views that are not
original and can only be considered as a program to secure the interest of the exiled polititians,
noting that their actions have led to the exile. Further, according to the words of the Federal
Minister for Religious Affairs, EjazulHaq, the drama of self-exile should be put to an end, and
the politians should come to their country and face the wider public.
The Pakistani foundation addresses the validity of the contract furthermore the unlawful and
undemocratic practices of the priests amid their individual residencies, which brought about the
untimely destruction of their particular governments. The Information and Broadcasting
Minister, Muhammad Ali Durrani, suggested how any law based accord must be marked by the

chose agents of the general population of Pakistan and the general population dismiss this as
political adventurism of the two government officials. It is another double dealing to look for
another open door for plunder and loot by these pioneers.
President Musharraf called the Bhutto-Sharif agreement as "unexpected" as these two pioneers
were adversaries of majority rules system amid their residency. Notwithstanding past exhibitions
of the two gatherings, the understanding will have minimal commonsense worth without the
fundamental pioneers' physical nearness in the nation. The sanction, in any case, skirts the basic
issue of an unequivocal date for their arrival. However, the most basic inquiry is, regardless of
the fact that the two pioneers push ahead, leaving away their earlier enmities; will Musharraf
administration stipend them safety and not arraign them on their arrival? In the event that they
return without the assent of the administration, Sharif would be in break of the concurrence with
Musharraf to live estranged abroad, and Bhutto, who has been blamed for defilement, would
confront certain capture.
Whatever the last result, the thought about a vote based rule that administrations ought to be
changed just through the constituent procedure ought not come up short, by and by, to strike
origins in Pakistan. It is a vital move and both the gatherings are connecting with Western
nations in their claim of majority rules system as this may make enough weight on Musharraf to
make the right situation for a straightforward race. The Magna Carta which was issued by Bhutto
and Sharif links them to the utmost acute guideline of vote based system whether the West agrees
or not, and is to provide sufficient political space to the restriction.
4.5 Charter of demands
The Joint Opposition Alliance requests a move to vote based system through the holding of free,
reasonable, straightforward and unbiased races. For such races to be viewed as free it requires
the usage of the Charter of Demands expressed in this as under. In the event that the benchmarks
for reasonable decisions and methodical exchange of energy to the elected delegates of the
general population are not met, the Joint Opposition Alliance will call for strikes, challenge, open
meeting, and mobilizes and can practices the choice of blacklist. This development will be for
the rebuilding of the 1973 Constitution, expressed thus as under, to be held by a Government of
national accord constituted in an APC, to hold decisions.

a) Framework for free and fair elections

1. The Declaration of Emergency dated the 3rd November, 2007 issued by the Chief of Army
Staff is withdrawn and the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) should be adapted.
2. The 1973 Constitution as on 12th October 1999 before the military coup shall be restored with
the provisions of joint elections, minorities, womens reserved seats on closed party list in the
Parliament, the lowering of the voting age, and the increase in seats in Parliament; the Legal
Framework Order, 2000 and the Seventeenth Constitutional Amendment shall be repealed.
b) Benchmarks for free and fair Elections (4)
1. Impartial interim Governments of national consensus should be developed at the Federal and
Provincial levels and with it unbiased Provincial Governors should be selected in legislative
advice while interacting with parties to check and monitor the free and fair and clear election that
is in compliance with the Constitution.
2. The appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and reconstitution of the Election
Commission of Pakistan should be performed and aligned according to all key stakeholders.
3. The Nazem's and the Local Governments ought to be suspended instantly till the development
of Federal and Provincial Governments.
4. All Improvised surveying stations ought to be de-informed with prompt impact.
Essential/auxiliary/secondary schools, BHUs/RHUs in nearest a nearness to the populace ought
to be assigned as surveying stations in a straightforward way.
5. The mass exchanges of legal, managerial and cops made in one month before the
disintegration of the Federal/Provincial Governments and those made till date ought to be turned
around to existing conditions bet instantly. Impartial Registrars ought to be designated in the
High Courts.

6. The Election Commission ought to guarantee the meetings with prompt impact of
unprejudiced and non-dubious officers to the accompanying amongst different positions; Inside
Secretary, DGIB, Chief Secretaries, Home Secretaries, I.G Police, D.I.Gs, DPOs and DCOs.
7. The restriction on races and print media ought to be elevated with prompt impact. All laws
intended to choke the media ought to be pulled back.
8. Al Judges, political laborers, attorneys, writers, human rights activists and common society
individuals ought to be discharged promptly and all arguments against them pulled back.
9. There ought to be a successful component to check tally stuffing, altering, savagery on
Election Day, ousting of surveying operators from surveying stations, delays it results declaration
and result not reported and instrument for result to be declared at the District level, ought to be
conceived in interview with the political gatherings.
10. Preparatory tally ought to be directed at the surveying station and accordingly at the District
level by the RO, decreasing odds of numbering misrepresentation. Clear criteria for describes
ought to be built up, taking into consideration no question.
11. Game plans are made for free and unhindered checking of races by national and worldwide
eyewitnesses and media.The Committee is forwarding the following two points for the
consideration and final decision of the leadership of the two Alliances. Points are herein as under
a) Judicial crises
1. The APDM position with regard to the judicial crises is stated as under;
All Supreme Court, High Court Judges who were removed on 3rd November, 2007 should be
restored.5
2. The ARD position with regard to the judicial crises is as under;
The courage and principled opposition taken by the Judges of the Supreme Judiciary who did
not take oath under the PCO is recognized. The Declaration of Emergency dated 3rd November,

2007 issued by the Chief of Army Staff is withdrawn. The Provisional Constitution Order be
revoked and the independence of the Judiciary restored.6
b) Cut-off date for boycott
I) The APDM proposes that;
The APDM declares that if these demands are not met by December 14/26, 2007, APDM in
cooperation with all other democratic forces would be forced to boycott the elections and launch
a national movement for the restoration of genuine democracy through holding of truly free, fair
and transparent elections.7
ii) The ARD proposes that;
The ARD is committed to a movement for a sovereign Parliament and will resist the attempts of
the regime to rig the January, 8th 2008 elections. In case the regime/Elections Commission fails
to fulfil the Charter of Demands as agreed between ARD and APDM it reserves the right to resist
it through a popular movement or boycott.8
4.6 National Reconciliation ordinance (NRO)
The National compromise law 2007 was informed on October 5 2007. It is not a mystery that
different drafts of the proposed NRO were traded between the legislature and Pakistan
individuals' gathering. By the end of this procedure, the Muttahida Qaumi development MQM
was likewise included. In the transactions between the legislature and the PPP the later had
allegedly elevated various requests. These incorporated the cancelation of article 58 (2) (B)
identifying with be the president's energy to disintegrate the national get together, the evacuation
on the third Ban on head administrators, which must be expelled with the assent president (on the
grounds that the law forcing the boycott is incorporated into the sixteen timetable to the
constitution) the removing of the uniform by the president before his re-race and the withdrawal
of all arguments against the Muhterma Benazir Bhutto and the other PPP pioneers.

In the occasion, just the remainder of these requests was surrendered through the order of the
NRO. Be that as it may this one allowance accomplished the reason sought by the president and
his counsels. The PPP MPs did not leave from either the national or commonplace gatherings in
this manner presenting the presidential races hung on 6 October 2007 a level of believability
both at home and particularly overseas that these races would have unquestionably not had
delighted in the PPP MPs likewise surrendered alongside whatever is left of the MPs having a
place with the other restriction parties.

NRO- a Misnomer
The tile of the NRO is unmistakably a contradiction. In any case its composed design was to
accomplish certain objectives of two arranging parties, three if consider the MQM a different
from the fundamental coalition accomplice in the administration and not national compromise.
Furthermore the unfavourable response across the nation, including the open threatening vibe of
the primary PML-Q pioneers, has emphasized the cleavage inside society instead of having any
mending or accusing impact. The compromise is the piece of RNO title seems to have been
obtained from reality and compromise commission set up in the South Africa at the occasion of
its then president Nelson Mandela in the repercussions of the white politically-sanctioned racial
segregation standard.
4.7 The NRO and its impacts on general elections
An additional significance of the NRO is that it was announced as a participant of the year race,
taking the dominant advantage of political parties gathering, such as the one that was facilitated
by the United States, with the aim to unite the liberal management in Pakistan, and which
occurred between General Pervez Musharraf and Ms. Bhutto. Even though the preparations for
such events are clearly raising awareness,, the NRO favours these political gatherings but still
significantly emphasizes how Ms.Sharif is considered a persona non grata. On the other hand,
Ms. Bhuto has the advantage and interest of discretionary gathering with Gn. Musharraf .
NRO encourages the return of the premiers to their country, and with the aim to serve to the
crusade and oppression to the current military and legislative governing in the country. Even

though there are negative images and marks for the NRO, the common goal and aim of all party
sides is to achieve a race and decision and race battling.
The general public of Pakistan has led the development of this mandate with its own
expectations. The mismatching conceptions from both perspectives provide confusing
speculations and streams of the law that is considered and misused as a tool by individuals who
use the written legislative norms as expansive scale debasements for their offices. One of the
main attempts and applied practices for handling such position is viewed through the time laps of
weeks or months after setting up any type of office, which is highly dependant on your open
political support of the dominating party.
NRO beneficiaries
In November 2009, Government of Pakistan discharged the rundown of the recipients of the
National Reconciliation Ordinance on the mandates of Prime Minister Syed yousuf Raza Gilani
were discharged on the National Reconciliation Ordinance mandates by the government of the
operating officials like the previous president. Namely, the main attempt of the NRO was
focused on being displayed at the national assembly because of the gradual expansions of the
assembling of the resistance, signifying a potential beginning of new processes in the country.

References:
1. www.crissgroup.org/pakistan/249-parliment-role-in-pakistan-democracy, seen at Friday
12, 5, 2016, 5:45pm.
2. Ibid.
3. http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp, see Saturday 13, 5, 2016, 6:00
pm.
4. Kizza, Julius, the role of opposition parties in a democracy PhD Department of
political science and public administration, Makerere University.
5. www.pak.times.com /2007, 12, 16 full text of charter of democracy. Seen at Sunday, 15,
5, 2016, 7:18am.
6. www.Bhutto.org, seen at Monday, 16 May 2016, 7:18am.
7. Munir M, Constitution of Pakistan, P.L.D., Publishers, (1975). P. 481.
8. Miss Benazir Bhutto v.Federation of Pakistan, P.L.D., 1988 SC, 416.

Chapter No 5
Implementation of 3rd November Emergency and role of major political parties
5.1

State of emergency

Back in 2007 observers of the political situation in Pakistan grew very of the potential
improvement of martial law that would be adapted by president Musharraf in October as military
and political disorders continued through the entire year, and issues and tensions grew in
October. On November 1st Secretary Rice pointed out that the country would not be given the
support by the United States of the continuation of the constitutional means, and further she
emphasized that Washington officially commented that Pakistan should arrange and prepare free
and fair elections in the country.
On November 2nd, or the following day after the proclamations given by Secretary Rice, Adm.
William Fallon, who was the chief Commander of the U.S. Central Command, had a meeting
with Musharraf in Islamabad. During this meeting, Adm. Fallon noted that the declaration of
state of emergency would negatively impact on the relation of the two countries. Reports on a
potential declaration of state emergency came to the U.S from Pakistani officials causing a silent
response of the U.S officials. This was understood by the Pakistani seniors as a gren ligh,
however, the U.S. did not have such intentions.
On the third day of November the potential of the state of emergency came to life, as the
president addressed the people of Pakistan in a late night television program announcing a state
of emergency. During the speech, the president argued that there were external political and
extremist terrorist attack suspicions, and because of this the politicians, government and law
enforced and supported these decisions as they were paralyzed because of Supreme Court
interference in the processes of the country. Among these arguments, president Musharraf also
argued that the Pakistani media indirectly influenced the deteriorating conditions in the state. On
the other hand, he described his actions as those that are similar to Abraham Lincolns
sweeping violations of constitutional limits as an effort to preserve the union, and he pleaded
with Pakistans friends in the United States to give the country more time to establish democratic
rule.3

The independency of the media was crushed with this resolution. In addition, a significantly
large number of private media of radio and television stations was shut down with the dawning
of the presidents new announcement, regime and a government order. The media was controlled
vigorously, and any content that was military related, particularly that was negative was blacked
out and unavailable to the public. Violations of these government decisions were told to be able
to give an issue of one years jail verdict, or a fine of fine million rupy. When the emergency
degree became active after the presidents announcement, many of the local private media, as
well as CNN and BBC remained silent.
In addition to that, several hundreds and thousands of activists, media reporters and similar
figures were rounded up and closed after the government announcements in the start of the next
working week many protesters, mainly advocates were out in the streets around the country were
police security physically charged, arrested and beat the civilians. One of the main Supreme
Justice Court judges was arrested and urged the protesters to continue. The government of the
United States expressed a high concern regarding the new announcement as it expressed a
serious comment that such kind of practice will significantly effect on the development of the
democratic country that Pakistan citizens attempted to develop. Following events lead the
president to allow a change in the Army Act in Pakistan that was originally accepted back in
1952. Following this act, the military was given the right to charge civilians with brakes of
military laws, changing human rights and ordering captures of people that was disappearing
politicians from public lives.
As it was previously stated such actions by the Pakistani government led to a series of criticism
from the United States, and also other countries that have supported such reactions, like the
British Kingdom, that was a key benefactor for Pakistan. United States noted that the emergency
announcement was a grave obstacle to Pakistans democratization procedure. As a response of
such harsh criticism the Pakistani announced a comment asking the international countries to
show more support:
The international community show understanding of this difficult decision and reiterated that
the government and President Musharraf are committed to full civilian democratic rule and
holding of elections.4

The only country that was supportive was the neighboring India, who was in normal occasions
one of the main competitors and threats when it comes to local politics.
A November session of the 53-member Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG)
noted an alarm and issued a condemning proclamation that the president shuld leave the army,
removes limits of public media and quietly steps down from his position with a deadline of the
22nd November issued a denunciation of the revocation of the Pakistani Constitution and
endangered. Islamabad expressed deep regrets at the unreasonable and unjustified decision,
saying it does not take into account the objective conditions prevailing in Pakistan.5
London-based Amnesty International cautioned that the
Wholesale abrogation of fundamental human rights protections represented a blatant breach of
international law and it also demanded the restoration of human rights and justice.6
In addition, and number of civil rights movements supported such attitude and proclaimed that
the Pakistani government did not protect its people, and was violating basic human and freedom
of speech rights that represent one of the main and most important aspects of a democratically
oriented society. The public of the country openly protested against such decisions, and big
competitive critiques saw the decisions as a major obstacle for their future international
agreements.
5.2 Lifted the Emergency of state
Almost one and a half months after the deadline, the president lifted the stated of emergency. In a
public addressing on December 15 he stated that the actions that took place in the previous
weeks were a necessity with the aim to clean the conspiracy in the democratic processes, and
further Musharraf stated that it was his doing regarding the foundation of real democracy. The
public saw these actions as oppressive, and further considered this addressing as an attempt of
the president to regain publics affirmation and relation to his governing legislation. Human
Rights Watch stated the opinion of the majority referring to the restoration of the constitution a
sham that would do little to restore genuine rule of law unless arbitrary laws and amendments
made after November 3 were withdrawn. 7

Performing under the cover of the PCO, the president urge the publication of judgements and
adjustments of the Pakistani Establishment ensuring that his actions that took place under the
emergency rule will not be opposed by any type of court in the country.
5.3 Proposed organizational structure of joint opposition alliance
The organizational structure of the Joint Opposition Alliance at the Federal, Provincial and
District levels was suggested by the Committee:
1. Federal Level
It implies to the Steering Committee that would be compromised of the leaders of the
Administrative Parties that belong to the ARD and APDM, as well as an action committee that
would be constituted of chosen respected members that would be nominated for it. It further
implied a Convener and CO-Convener of the Steering Committee that would be chosen by both
parties in the bipartisan alliance.
2. Provincial Level
An organizing committee on a provincial level would be consisted of 10-15 parties that operate
locally. In addition, the requirements for the convene-ship of the understood Committee would
be the comparative power of one of the constituent Parties.
3. District Level
Similarly to the provincial level, among 10-15 parties a representative nominee would be chosen.
The Joint Opposition Alliance noted that is the requirements of the COD are not completed then
in order to change or replace present regime, a public movement will be launched and it will
have a short-term set up consisting of Joint Opposition Alliance candidates to cope the change to
open democracy via free and just elections inside 60 days.

5.4 Coming back of B.B and Main Nawaz Sharif

As a result of her multi diverse levels of efforts that democracy in Pakistan should be fully
applied and nation oriented, the leader seemed to have basically followed the wonderful
principles of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali
Bhutto ought to be thought and remembered as Quaid-e-Jamhuriat (Leader of Democracy)
One of the main reasons of her return was basically motivated by the jeopardized themocracy
and integrity of the federations. And, with the motivation regarding the general bliss of the nation
she returned to come back to Pakistan because of the strong fondness to its people.
The unparalleled courage of Shaheed BB could be ascertained from the fact that while she
spent many precious years of her life either under house arrest, in the various prisons of the
country or in forced exile but she still kept voicing her truthful stance unfathomably.8
Also on 8th of August, 2007 Benazir Bhutto spoke out about the meeting that was held in secrecy
a top-secret meeting with Musharraf on July, 27th, on the 8th of August, 2007 for the interview
with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azim stated on the 14th of September, 2007 that Bhutto will
not be banished, should face the corruption accusations raised beside her. He explained that
Sharif and Bhutto had civil rights to come back to Pakistan, however, even though Bhutto came
back after 8 years of banishment and accused the presidents allies for pushing the boundaries of
control way out of the democratic limitations, After Bhutto was assassinated on 27th December,
2007, Musharraf declared a 3 days grieving period.
Sharif returned to Pakistan on September 2007 and his actions were considered as a violation of
King Abdullahs agreement that he would stay out of politics for ten years. As a consequence,
Sharif was arrested on the Pakistani Airport and was sent back to Saudi Arabia. In an unrelated
event, Saudi intelligence chief Muqrin bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud and Lebanese politician Saad
Hariri reached discretely to Pakistan on September 8th, 2007 with a message from Saudi King

Abdullah and the latter after a meeting with Nawaz Sharif in London. As such actions were
taken, both passionate representatives were not a treat any more.
5.5 Resignation from the Military
Before resignation, Tariq Majid was selected as a Chairman Joint Chiefs Committee and Genreal
Ashfaq Kayani as vice chief of the army by Musharraf on October 2nd, 2007, with a starting date
on October 8. Kayani became Chief of Army Staff after Musharraf took his resignation from
military on 28th of November, 2007
5.6 2007 Presidential Elections
After Musharraf stated for a March 2007 conversation that he planned on not leaving for almost
next 5 years, a 9-member panel of Supreme Court judges considered on 6 pleas for disqualifying
him as a candidate for the president. Bhutto said that her party could join opposition group of
Sharifs family as well.
On September 28, 2007 in a 63 vote, Judge Rana Bhagwandas's court detached hindrances to
Musharraf's balloting proposal.
5.7 Caretaker Government
Shaukat Aziz was the former Prime Minister whos term was to be expired, and so, on November
15. 2007Soomro was appointed as caretaker of this position, before the new parliamentary
elections. The following day Somro sworn in on the position by president Musharraf. His era
finished on 25th March, 2008 it was the time when Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani took oath in as
Prime Minister.
5.8 Assassination of B.B (Benazir Bhutto)
On 27th December Benazir Bhutto was assassinated, while giving her life for the dream and
rights of the democratic Pakistani country. Benazir Bhutto stated her non negotiative position
regarding the independent future and wellbeing of Pakistan in her last historic and heroic speech
assured basic people rights and strived for a collective good. This speech can be considered as
one of the major contributions to reintroducing the concept of democracy among the Pakistani

people, striving to consequently create a communal welfare state where the socio- economic
privileges were given to every citizen, equally including men and women. Even though her
assassinators were hoping to kill the dreams and ambitions of her followers, her message was so
honest and reached deeply to the people that her death made an even larger seal of fondness
among her followers.
Benazir Income Support Programmed (BISP) can be known as as the real-world appearance of
our great and visionary leaders vision emphasized in motto of Roti, Kapraor Makan Elm,
Roshni, Sab ko kaam.9 BISP is significantly contributing to the improvement of the socio
economic conditions of the country, particularly to those that are underprivileged. The belief of
the people can easily reflected as one of the greates gifts from Youm-e-Shahadat of Quaid-eJamhuriat Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto that lead the country to a successful journey from
dictatorship to democracy.
2.9 Elections of the 18th February
The January elections of 2008 were postponed, Tariq Azim Khan as Information
Minister declared on television stated that the elections can be held up from several months to up
to a year. Later, as announced by Musharraf, the election was rearranged to take place on 15 th
February, 2008. Later after few days, he noted that election date will be on or before 9 th January,
2008, before a final date of January 8, 2008, was decided. Yet, because of unexpected
happenings, mainly the killing of Benazir Bhutto, they were delayed again by the Election
Commission but were they took place finally on Feb 18 th, 2008 and in this election, Pakistan
People Party took the highest number of votes and won most seats in it. Experts called it a mercy
vote because of the assassination of the Benazir Bhutto.
On 23rd of March, 2008 President Musharraf stated that an era of democracy had started in
Pakistan and that he had positioned the country on the track of development and progress. On
March 22 the PPP appointed Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani(former parliament speaker) who was one
of the candidates for the country's next prime minister, to lead a alliance government combined
against him.
5.10 The Long March to Restore Judiciary, 200708

Pakistan has attempted over and over again to establish a democratic society, however the
military dictatorship continuously provided a stronghold against full democratic development in
the government, parliament and politics overall. However, there were periods when the fight was
successful, particularly from October 1968 to March 1969, the time when the first mass
opposition movement against was set against an army ruler in Pakistan. It enforced Ayyub Khan
resignation, but was not able to reinstate democracy. The control went on to General Yahiya
Khan, who was in control as chief martial law administrator and president of Pakistan until 1971,
The movement that made Ayyub Khan resign was also unique at the time. It was
Spontaneous, unplanned and lacked a unified direction. The scope and intensity of the
movement left few institutions and concepts untouched.10.
The most recent mass movement was from March 2007 to February 2008 that aimed the society
in contradiction of the Musharraf tyranny. It got successful in electing a government that was
democratic. Pakistan entered a period in which institutional sovereignty and democratic
consolidation are not negotiable and achieved success in all levels, starting from slow changes
and slowly adapting and opening to the worlds.
5.11Impeachment movement and resignation
On August 7, 2008 the bipartisan parties of PPP and PN joined forces and decided to make the
president to step down. Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif declared that they will send a formal
request to Musharraf to step down, but expectedly, he refused sending an official call that he step
down, and prosecute him through legislatorial procedure upon denial. Musharraf rejected to step
back. A charge sheet had been developed, and included Mr. Musharrafs first confiscation of
power in 1999-at the cost of Nawaz Sharif, whom Mr. Musharraf caged in jail and exiled later
and when he proclaimed a crisis as a way to get re-chose as the president in November 2007.
There were many names listed in the charge sheet and some were of Mr Musharraf war on terror.
Musharraf delayed his departure for a day in Beijing and the government called the national
assembly on August 11.
On 18th August, 2008, Musharraf stepped down. On 19th August he protected his nine-year rule in
60 minutes in length speech.

On August 18, 2008, Musharraf resigned. On August 19 he defended his nine-year rule in an
hour-long speech.
5.12 Asif Ali Zardari as President of Pakistan
After nine years of military rule the political parties successfully restored democracy into the
system. After Musarrafs resignation, Main Muhammed Soomro inevitably became President on
August 18, 2008 as it was obligatory by the constitution because he was in his position as the
chairman of the senate. Furthermore, a new election of the Presidency was required within the
next thirty days. Asif Ali Zardari was chosen as the eleventh President of the Pakistan and swore
oath on 9th September, 2008 and succeeded Mian Muhammad Soomro as the President of the
Pakistan.

References:
1. Saboorabdul Muhammed, De-constructing the enigma of political parties in Pakistan: a
case study of PPP and PML-N, MPhil thesis department of political science
Bhauddinzakriya university Multan.
2. Ibid.
3. http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp, see Saturday 13, 5, 2016, 6:00
pm.
4. FrumanSheila, Will The Long March To Democracy In Pakistan Finally Succeed?
5.
6.
7.
8.

Published in 2011, p 48.

https:// www.loc.gov> law>help>Pakistan. Seen at Sunday, 15, 5, 2016, 7:18am.
www.movementforruleoflaw.com, seen at Monday, 16 May 2016, 7:18am.
Ibid.
PILDAT report, National reconciliation ordinance NRO 2007 analysis and impacts on

general elections, published 2007, p 75.

9. Kronstadt k. Alan, CRS report for congress, updated 3 January 2008, p 14.
10. Qudoos Abdul Sial, constitutional reforms: search for an alternative paradigm, volume 30
no 1 September 2010, p 57-59.