DEMOCRATIC EXPERIENCE OF PAKISTAN: A CASE STUDY OF PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRATIC PERIOD 1988-1999

University of the Punjab

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

By: Muhammad Afzal Sajid

Supervised By: Prof. Dr. Iram Khalid

Academic Level: PhD

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Abstract

The focus of the thesis is on the history of Pakistan that stands witness to the repeated dissolution of assemblies before completion of their respective constitutional terms, the intermittent breakdown of the constitutions, take-over of military, disintegration and perpetual bad governance. The study attempts to unfold the conflicts behind the crunch of democracy that did not allow democracy to take roots in the period 1988 to 1999. The research is qualitative and descriptive-analytical method is used to analyze the data collected. The thesis titled “Democratic Experience of Pakistan: A Case Study of Parliamentary Democratic Period 1988-1999” presents a broad canvas of four elected governments of PPP and PML (N) during the period of 1988 and 1999. The study attempted to analyze the role of leadership in the persons of Benazir and Nawaz Sharif in their respective terms in office as the head of the government and head of the opposition that how they played their role in the crisis of democracy in the period under study as well as the role of the President in persons of Ghulam Ishaq Khan, Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari, and General Pervaiz Musharruf. The focus is on working relationship between elected and nonelected institutions as
well as on functioning of elected institutions. The process of democratization could not be successful unless the attributes of democracy are properly examined and addressed. In Pakistan, the authoritarian regime had introduced controlled democracy whereas the political regimes had neglected the basic concept of democracy. During the era under study, instead of owing the credibility of the constitution, the attention is spayed to personal power gaining strategy which had weakened the process of democracy in Pakistan. The popular and semi-academic discussion regarding civilmilitary tension and crisis of democracy generally lead to a conclusion that the institution of military is the main cause and politicians are the main victims in the derailment of democracy. The research concluded the complex process of power struggle and internal conflicts among the power elites.

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On the direction of the Chairman Senate/President PIPS Board of Governors, the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), has implemented a comprehensive set of measures aimed at ensuring fiscal discipline, operational efficiency, and responsible utilization of public resources, on the same lines as notified and adopted by the Senate and National Assembly Secretariats.

Under the new measures, the Institute has adopted a four-day working week (Monday to Thursday), while introducing a hybrid working model whereby 50% of staff will perform duties from the office and 50% will work remotely on a rotational basis. Employees working from home will remain fully accessible through digital communication platforms and may be required to report to the office on short notice, ensuring uninterrupted institutional functioning.

Significant steps have also been taken to promote energy conservation. These include a target of achieving up to 70% reduction in energy consumption through minimizing unnecessary use of electricity and ensuring that official meetings, trainings, and events are scheduled during daylight hours. Foreign tours are banned and international meetings are being held virtually.

In the transport section, PIPS has introduced strict measures to curtail expenditure and 70% official vehicles have been grounded as part of this initiative.

As part of broader austerity efforts, 20% reduction has been imposed on the non-ERE budget for the fourth quarter of the current financial year. The officers drawing a monthly salary of PKR 300,000 or more, shall surrendered two days salary or 5% to 30% salary on gross as per Federal Government decision.

The Institute has also discontinued all non-essential procurements with immediate effect. Official functions such as dinners and receptions will not be hosted, except in the case of visiting foreign delegations, and even then, strictly in accordance with austerity protocols.

These measures have been implemented with immediate effect and will remain in force until further orders.

Under the guidance of President PIPS Board of Governors, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, PIPS remains fully committed to maintaining its core functions of parliamentary support, capacity building, and research while contributing proactively to national austerity and sustainability goals.