Pakistan National Alliance

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Not to be confused with National Alliance (Pakistan).

Pakistan National Alliance
پاکستان قومی اتحاد
Founded5 January 1977 (1977-01-05)
Dissolved24 January 1978 (1978-01-24)
IdeologyConservatism
Capitalism
Political positionRight-wing
ColorsGreen
 
SloganNizam-e-Mustafa (1977)
Party flag

The Pakistan National Alliance (

PPP in the 1977 general elections
.

Despite each parties standing with a different ideology, PNA was noted for its large physical momentum and its right-wing orientation, originally aimed to oppose Prime Minister

IDA alliance under PML
.

History

The

nationalisation program was carried out to centralised the large-scale industries, private-sector and commercial corporation to set up the strong state sector.[2] Resentment and heavy disapproval came from the elite corporate sector and PPP intensified its public programs at the social circles.[2] Although the general elections were to be held on half of 1977, Bhutto made a move and called for holding the general elections on 7 January 1977.[3]

Early calls for the elections was an idea to not to given time to the opposition to make decisions and arrangements for the forthcoming elections.

era of stagflation in the country and its manifesto was to bring back the 1970 prices.[3]

On social views, the implementation of Islam was its primary election slogan. They promised to enforce Islamic laws "

Sharia laws.[4]
The PNA's parties were a conglomerate of diverse views and of contradictory causes and united by common dislike of PPP's autocratic policies:

Right-wing populism and violence

Main article:
Right-wing politics and violence

At this platform, the modern European style-influenced forces formed an alliance with totally opposite of hard-line Islamist forces.[3] The alliance decided to contest the elections under one election symbol "plough" and a green flag with nine stars as its ensign.[3]

Each star represented the parties under this alliance. There were nine parties, therefore flag's star represented the nine stars.

Contesting the 1977 elections jointly the PNA launched a national campaign against the government after the controversial and allegedly rigged results showing the Peoples Party as an overwhelming victory in the general elections.[5] The agitation caught the Peoples Party and its political scientists, by surprise and after several months of street fighting and demonstrations. Under advised by his advisers, Bhutto opened negotiations with the then PNA leadership but whether or not it would have been signed by all PNA parties or by Bhutto remains open to speculation. In a single unusual anti-Bhutto bloc, the alliance seemed to be effective when tapping a wave to remove Bhutto from government.[5]

Meanwhile, Bhutto's trusted confident and a lifelong companion dr.

Rangers and for this reason was also considered for the cause of Bhutto's hanging on 4 April 1979.[6] In a coup staged by General Zia, Bhutto was removed from office with majority of his colleagues.[6]

Authoritarianism and PNA split

Main articles:
Right-wing extremism

The conservatives and Islamist fronts went to General

Ziaul Haque to break the impasse. Those justifying the coup, argue that no agreement had been reached between the two sides.[6]

Controversy regarding foreign support

Main article:
Pakistan-United States relations

On 5 July 1977, the

American Attorney General Ramsey Clark did questioned the "knowledge, hence the tacit approval" of the coup staged against the PPP.[6][10]

Further

PPP.[11] Reportedly, it was Asghar Khan who ultimately called for military take over and hanging of Bhutto. After imposition of martial law, the retired air marshal withdrew himself from the front line of the PNA and took a back seat.[12]

In 1998, Benazir Bhutto publicly announced her belief that her father was "sent to the gallows at the instance of the superpower (most believe it to be USA) for pursuing the nuclear capability,[13] though she did not disclosed the name of the foreign power.[13]

Alliance members

The Alliance unusually consisted of 9 parties, with completely different ideologies, backgrounds, and political goals. As of today, the parties have been separated from its original bloc, and formed different parties with different names. And, as of the 1970s, the fronts and parties that Bhutto and his colleagues were facing are listed below in their respective categories:

See also

References

  1. ^ Navaz Sharif – A man between enemies Archived 11 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ a b c Country studies US. "History of Pakistan Peoples Party and the Left in Pakistan". Country studies US. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "1977 General elections and Right wing populism". Story of Pakistan press. June 2003. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  4. ^
    ISBN 978-1576077122
    .
  5. ^
    ISBN 978-0816061846.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  6. ^
    ISBN 0870032143
    .
  7. ^
    ISBN 0754644340
    .
  8. ISBN 0275968774
    .
  9. ^ During Bhutto's five years in Pakistan's helm, Bhutto had retained an emotional hold on the poor masses who had voted him overwhelmingly in 1970s general elections. At the same time, however, Bhutto had many enemies. The [socialist economics] and nationalization of major private industries during his first two years on office had badly upsets the Business circles... An ill-considered decision to take over the wheat-milling, rice-husking, sugar mills, and cotton-gaining, industries in July 1976 had angered the small business owners and traders. Both leftists— socialists and communists, intellectuals, students, and trade unionists— felt betrayed by Bhutto's shift to centre-right wing conservative economics policies and by his growing collaboration with powerful feudal lords, Pakistan's traditional power brokers. After 1976, Bhutto's aggressive authoritarian personal style and often high-handed way of dealing with political rivals, dissidents, and opponents had also alienated many.... Quoted by the United States on Bhutto's and PNA alliance tug of war politics
  10. ^ "I [Ramsey Clark] do not believe in conspiracy theories in general, but the similarities in the staging of riots in Chile (where the CIA allegedly helped overthrow President Salvadore Allende) and in Pakistan are just too close, Bhutto was removed from power in Pakistan by force on 5 July, after the usual party on the 4th at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, with U.S. approval, if not more, by General Zia-ul-Haq.[119] Bhutto was falsely accused and brutalized for months during proceedings that corrupted the Judiciary of Pakistan before being murdered, then hanged. As Americans, we must ask ourselves this: Is it possible that a rational military leader under the circumstances in Pakistan could have overthrown a constitutional government, without at least the tacit approval of the United States?" Quoted by former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark
  11. ^ Ahmad, Ghoofor (2011). Phir Marshal Law Agya. Karachi, Sindh Pakistan: Books and publishing in Pakistan.
  12. ^ From the Newspaper (25 October 2012). "Asghar Khan and PNA's funding". Dawn Newspapers. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  13. ^ a b Malick, Nasir Malick (10 May 1998). "Benazir vows to fight on people's side". DawnWireService (DWS). Retrieved 17 November 2011.
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