Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, 1971-1977

O Level Pakistan Studies History · Nationhood: 1971 to 1999 and Pakistan in world affairs. A short explanation of the idea, the rules to remember, the mistake to avoid, a worked example and practice questions with answers.

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The idea

Bhutto took over a defeated and divided country in December 1971. His first tasks were to make peace with India, which he did in the Simla Agreement, and to give Pakistan a lasting constitution. The 1973 Constitution, passed with the support of all parties, set up a parliamentary system and is still the basis of government today.

At home he promised 'food, clothing and shelter'. His main method was nationalisation: the state took over major industries, banks, and private schools and colleges. He also made land, health and labour reforms.

He tried to keep the army out of politics, but his own rule grew harsh. Disputed elections in 1977 brought months of protest, and the army removed him.

Rules to remember

Simla Agreement, July 1972, with Indira Gandhi: disputes to be settled bilaterally; the Kashmir ceasefire line became the Line of Control
1973 Constitution: parliamentary system led by the Prime Minister; two houses (National Assembly and Senate); Islam the state religion; President and Prime Minister must be Muslims
Industry: major industries nationalised from 1972; critics said this discouraged private investment
Education, 1972: private schools and colleges nationalised
Army: Federal Security Force set up as a paramilitary force under government control; Zia-ul-Haq made Chief of Army Staff in 1976 over more senior generals
March 1977 elections: the Pakistan National Alliance (PNA), an alliance of opposition parties, said the results were rigged
5 July 1977: General Zia-ul-Haq took power

Common mistake

Students mix up the three constitutions. 1956 and 1962 each had one house; only 1973 created the Senate, and it gave power to the Prime Minister, not the President.

Worked example

How did the 1973 Constitution change who held real power, compared with the 1962 Constitution?

Under 1962 the system was presidential: the President, chosen by the Basic Democrats, ran the government.
Under 1973 the system was parliamentary: the Prime Minister, answerable to the National Assembly, ran the government.
The President became mainly a ceremonial head of state.

Answer: Power moved from the President to the Prime Minister and parliament.

Practice questions

Try each one, then open the answer.

1. Why was Bhutto's nationalisation policy criticised?

A
it discouraged private investment
B
it handed industries to foreign companies
C
it closed every factory in Sindh
D
Bhutto himself reversed it within a year

Show answer

Answer: A. Business confidence fell and many nationalised units were badly managed, so output suffered.

2. Which Islamic provision was included in the 1973 Constitution?

A
the Hudood Ordinances were made part of it
B
a Federal Shariat Court was set up under it
C
Friday prayers were made compulsory by law
D
Islam was declared the state religion

Show answer

Answer: D. It also required the President and Prime Minister to be Muslims. The Hudood laws and Federal Shariat Court came under Zia.

3. Who signed the Simla Agreement?

A
Ayub Khan and Lal Bahadur Shastri
B
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Indira Gandhi
C
Nawaz Sharif and Atal Bihari Vajpayee
D
Liaquat Ali Khan and Jawaharlal Nehru

Show answer

Answer: B. Ayub and Shastri signed at Tashkent (1966); Sharif and Vajpayee signed the Lahore Declaration (1999).

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28. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

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