1988 Pakistani general election

1988 Pakistani general election
FelipeRev · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Election name	1988 Pakistani general election
Country	Pakistan
Type	parliamentary
Previous election	1977 Pakistani general election
Next election	1990 Pakistani general election

1988 Pakistani general election was held on November 16, 1988, to elect the members of the National Assembly of Pakistan and the four Provincial Assemblies of Pakistan. The election was a significant event in the country's history, as it marked the return of democracy in Pakistan after the death of Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the President of Pakistan who had ruled the country since 1977 Pakistani coup d'état. The election was contested by major parties such as Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), and Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, with prominent leaders like Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif, and Qazi Hussain Ahmad.

Background

The 1988 Pakistani general election was held in the aftermath of the death of Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in a plane crash on August 17, 1988. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Akhtar Abdur Rahman Khan, was also killed in the crash. The President of Pakistan, Ghulam Ishaq Khan, announced the holding of general elections to elect a new National Assembly of Pakistan and the four Provincial Assemblies of Pakistan. The election was seen as a crucial step towards the transition of power from the military dictatorship to a democratically elected government, with parties like Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), and Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan participating. Key figures like Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif, and Qazi Hussain Ahmad played important roles in the election campaign, which was also influenced by the Pakistan National Alliance and the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy.

Election Campaign

The election campaign was marked by intense competition between the major parties, with the Pakistan Peoples Party led by Benazir Bhutto and the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) led by Nawaz Sharif being the main contenders. The Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan led by Qazi Hussain Ahmad also played a significant role in the election campaign, with its candidates contesting seats in the National Assembly of Pakistan and the Provincial Assemblies of Pakistan. The election campaign was also influenced by the Pakistan National Alliance, a coalition of parties opposed to the Pakistan Peoples Party, and the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy, a coalition of parties that had been formed to oppose the military dictatorship of Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq. Prominent politicians like Asif Ali Zardari, Shahbaz Sharif, and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain were involved in the campaign, which was covered by media outlets like the Dawn (newspaper), The News International, and Pakistan Television Corporation.

Results

The results of the election showed that the Pakistan Peoples Party had won the majority of seats in the National Assembly of Pakistan, with Benazir Bhutto becoming the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) emerged as the second-largest party, with Nawaz Sharif becoming the Chief Minister of Punjab, Pakistan. The Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan also won a significant number of seats, with its candidates being elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan and the Provincial Assemblies of Pakistan. The election results were seen as a significant victory for the democracy in Pakistan, with the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) emerging as the two main parties in the country. The results were also influenced by the performance of other parties like the Awami National Party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), which were led by figures like Abdul Wali Khan, Altaf Hussain, and Fazlur Rehman.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the election saw the formation of a new government, with Benazir Bhutto becoming the Prime Minister of Pakistan and Nawaz Sharif becoming the Chief Minister of Punjab, Pakistan. The new government faced significant challenges, including the need to address the country's economic crisis and to establish a stable democratic system. The government also had to deal with the legacy of the military dictatorship of Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, including the need to reform the country's institutions and to promote human rights in Pakistan. The election also marked the beginning of a new era in Pakistan-United States relations, with the United States providing significant economic and military aid to the new government. Key international organizations like the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank played important roles in shaping the country's economic policies, while regional organizations like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and the Economic Cooperation Organization influenced the country's foreign policy.

Candidates

The election saw the participation of a large number of candidates, including prominent politicians like Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif, and Qazi Hussain Ahmad. Other notable candidates included Asif Ali Zardari, Shahbaz Sharif, and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who were all elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan or the Provincial Assemblies of Pakistan. The election also saw the participation of candidates from smaller parties, including the Awami National Party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), which were led by figures like Abdul Wali Khan, Altaf Hussain, and Fazlur Rehman. The candidates were supported by various organizations, including the Pakistan National Alliance and the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy, and were covered by media outlets like the Dawn (newspaper), The News International, and Pakistan Television Corporation. The election was also influenced by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the Election Commission of Pakistan, and the Inter-Services Intelligence, which played important roles in ensuring the fairness and transparency of the election process.

Category: Elections in Pakistan