History of Pakistan PDF

# History of Pakistan ## After Completing this Lesson you will be able to: - Explain the main aspects of the economic reforms introduced during 1971-1977. - Evaluate impacts of nationalization on education, industry, commerce, and trade. - Understand the important characteristics of the 197...

# History of Pakistan ## After Completing this Lesson you will be able to: - Explain the main aspects of the economic reforms introduced during 1971-1977. - Evaluate impacts of nationalization on education, industry, commerce, and trade. - Understand the important characteristics of the 1973 constitution. - Comprehend the Islamization process during 1977-88. - Explain the functioning of Junejo's government during 1985-88. - Analyse the Afghan Jihad Policy and its impacts on the society of Pakistan. - Evaluate the functioning of: - Benazir Bhutto's government during 1988-1990 and 1993-1996. - Nawaz Sharif's government during 1990-1993 and 1997-1999. - Discuss Pakistan's emergence as a nuclear power. - Comprehend the privatization policy adopted during General Musharraf's era. - Describe the Devolution Plan introduced by General Parvez Musharraf. - Discuss 2002 elections and revival of democracy. ## Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's Era (1971-1977) In the elections held in December 1970, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples' Party emerged as the majority party in West Pakistan. After the separation of East Pakistan, General Muhammad Yahya Khan invited Bhutto to form the government. Bhutto took over as president and civil martial law administrator of the west of Pakistan on December 20, 1971. In 1973 Bhutto got a new constitution passed by the National Assembly and revived parliamentary democracy. ### Economic Reforms: After assuming power, Bhutto started working on his agenda of reforms. He himself referred to these initiatives as "People's Government Reforms." These initiatives included: - Industrial policy - Labor Reforms - Agricultural reforms ### Nationalization Keeping in view the economic deprivation of the people, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto assured the people that all big industrial units would be taken under governmental control. This policy was called "nationalization." Under this policy, the government took the following major steps: - Steel, Petrochemical, Vegetable oil and Fertilizer manufacturing industries were nationalized. - Electricity and gas companies, oil refineries, insurance companies, private banks, and educational institutions were also nationalized. In January 1972, 32 heavy industrial units came under government control. Important among these were: iron and steel industry, heavy engineering, heavy electrical industry, automobile industry, tractor industry, petrochemicals industry, cement industry, electricity, gas companies and oil refineries etc. Small industrialists were assured that the government would protect and encourage them and would not nationalize more industrial units in the future. Despite this assurance, the government started a second round of nationalization in 1973. In this phase, cotton, sugar, edible oil and ghee industries were nationalized. This second phase came to an end in 1976 with the nationalization of paddy husking units. ### Impacts of Nationalization The policy of nationalization failed to achieve desired results. As a result of this policy, management of the industrial units passed into the hands of corrupt and inefficient bureaucracy and ruling party workers, and the performance of all the nationalized industrial units badly deteriorated. Due to shortfalls in production and because of higher production costs, prices of essential items of daily consumption like flour, ghee and sugar enormously increased, resulting in a high rate of inflation. In order to avoid unrest among the masses, salaries were raised. This resulted in a high rate of inflation. Economic condition of the country further deteriorated when industrialists and investors started shifting their capital out of the country. Emoluments of the nationalized education sector employees and the cost of running the nationalized education institutions proved to be a great burden on the national treasury. Students were allowed to travel, almost free of cost by public and private transport. Private sector transporters were reluctant to extend this favor, which caused an atmosphere of constant tension among students and the transporters. The liberty extended to the students made them negligent and carefree. Academic standards started deteriorating. Student's unions became a great threat to law and order. ### Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973 In April 1972, the newly elected National Assembly adopted a provisional constitution for the country and instituted a committee to frame a permanent constitution. The draft of the constitution was presented in the National Assembly on February 2, 1973. 135 members voted in favor, only 3 remained absent. Acting as president, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto gave approval of the draft on April 12, 1973. The new constitution was promulgated on August 14, 1973. The National Assembly elected Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as the new prime minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. #### Salient Features of the 1973 Constitution - The constitution is a written document, comprising 280 articles, divided into 12 parts, includes 6 schedules and 26 amendments. - The constitution proclaims "Islamic Republic of Pakistan" as the official name of the republic. - The constitution proclaims Islam as the state religion. ## General Zia-ul-Haq's Era (1977-1988) General elections were held under Bhutto's government in March 1977. Opposition parties alleged large-scale rigging in the National Assembly elections and boycotted the provincial assembly elections to be held a few days later. The alliance of opposition parties started aggressive protest against Bhutto's government. The opposition raised the slogan of "Nizam-e-Mustafa" and claimed that the implementation of Islamic laws was the only solution of the problems of the common man. The slogan of Nizam-e-Mustafa attracted enormous popular support. Street agitation was so widespread that it practically crippled the government. In these circumstances, the Army Chief General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq intervened and imposed Martial Law in the country on 5 July 1977. Bhutto was deposed. General Zia ruled the country till August 17, 1988. ### Policy Of Islamization After coming into power, General Zia-ul-Haq announced that he would entrust power in the hands of people's representatives after holding free and fair elections within 90 days, but he changed his mind shortly after and announced that his foremost objective was the implementation of Nizam-e-Mustafa, or the Shari'a Law. This commitment was acclaimed by a large section of the society. Given below is a brief summary of the steps taken by General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in pursuance of his policy of Islamization: #### Judiciary and Legal System Islamic penalties were imposed on crimes like drinking wine, theft, adultery and qadaf (false allegation of adultery). Federal Shari’a Court was established, its status was equal to that of High Courts. Ulama were appointed as judges in the Shari’a Court. An Islamic University and a Shari’a Faculty were instituted in Islamabad. The Objectives Resolution was made a justiciable part of the constitution. #### Financial Matters Nizam-e-Zakat was introduced in 1980 and Nizam-e-Ushr in 1983. Certain initial steps were taken for the elimination of riba (interest) from banking practices. Interest-free accounts, based on profit-loss sharing were introduced for the first time in the banking history of the country. #### Observance of Religious Sanctities Salah Committees were formed in governmental institutions to make arrangements for Zuhr prayer and motivating people for saying prayers. Ehtram-e-Ramadan Ordinance was promulgated, which prohibited eating and drinking at public places during the holy month of Ramadan. Penalties were imposed for passing sacrilegious remarks about Khulafa-e-Rashideen (R.A) and Ahl-e-Bait (R.A). Radio and television were ordered to broadcast azan and hajj proceedings. Federal Ombudsman (Wifaqi Mohtasib) was appointed with a mandate to eliminate corruption, malpractices and incompetence from government institutions. ### Education Islamic Studies was introduced as a compulsory subject at intermediate and degree levels. Degrees of the religious schools (deeni madaris) were declared equivalent to B.A. and M.A. degrees. Religious teachers in the Armed Forces were, for the first time, given the status of commissioned officers. In order to Islamize education system from roots, Masjid Maktab Scheme was introduced at the primary level. Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) was made a compulsory subject in law colleges. ### Building of National Spirit National dress code was implemented in the courts of law. Wearing of national dress was encouraged in government institutions. National dress code was made mandatory for official gatherings. The president and the prime minister themselves established the tradition of delivering formal addresses in Urdu. Pakistan Studies was introduced as a compulsory subject on intermediate and Degree level. ### Media Indecent and un-Islamic programs were banned on radio and television. Arabic and the Holy Quran classes were started on radio and television. Radio and television increased the number of religious programs and started broadcasting the annual Hajj proceedings and other Islamic events. ## Afghan Jihad and Its Consequences Eighty thousand Russian troops entered Afghanistan in December 1979 and took the control of the country in their hands. The people of Afghanistan started an armed struggle against this intervention. As a result of this civil war, conditions worsened to such an extent that millions of Afghan citizens had to leave their homes and migrate to Pakistan. The number of Afghan refugees entering Pakistan, at different times, crossed 3 million. America and other world powers supported Pakistan's efforts to help Afghan people in their struggle against Russian occupation. Combined efforts of Pakistan, Afghan Mujahideen and the western powers led by America, defeated the Russian army. The Soviet Union was compelled to withdraw her forces from Afghanistan in 1989. Afghan jihad had far-reaching consequences for the world in general and for Pakistan in particular: - Foundations of the Soviet Communist regime started shaking due to this military defeat and the Soviet Union was finally disintegrated within few years (in 1991). - Pakistan emerged as a dignified and honorable country with an improved image, in the community of nations, but this victory also created some problems for Pakistan in the future. - Illegal weapons were brought into Pakistan on a large scale. Drugs largely spread during this period. - Pakistan's economy had to face great stress due to large-scale migration of people from Afghanistan. - Influx of Afghan refugees increased unemployment in Pakistan. - Terrorist activities increased and crime rate went up. - After the end of Afghan jihad, the Americans did not make any serious effort to establish a democratic system or a strong government in Afghanistan. After the withdrawal of Russian occupation forces, a power struggle began, the warlords started fighting with each other. This internal Afghan strife made our western borders unsafe. ## Muhammad Khan Junejo's Government (1985-1988) After his success in a controversial referendum, General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq took oath for the office of the president for next five years, on March 23, 1985. Elections were held, on non-party basis, and a well-reputed Sindh based politician Muhammad Khan Junejo was appointed prime minister. The Parliament passed 8th constitutional amendment bill in November 1985. Martial law was lifted. Following are important features of the amendment: - All the steps so far taken by General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq and all changes in the constitution affected by him were legalized. - President’s power to dissolve the Parliament was given constitutional status. - All steps taken by General Zia, in pursuance of his Islamization policy, were given constitutional protection. It was a general perception about Junejo that he would always follow Zia's line and remain loyal to him. But contrary to all expectations, Junejo started to assert the authority of the civil government. This created a rift between the president and the prime minister, which further increased when Muhammad Khan Junejo expressed his intention to curtail defense budget for strengthening national economy. But the Geneva Accord proved to be the ultimate cause for the removal of Muhammad Khan Junejo. ## The Geneva Accord The main purpose of Geneva talks was to set a deadline for the withdrawal of the Soviet Army from Afghanistan. General Zia was of the opinion that Pakistan should not sign this agreement until a Mujahideen Government is established in Kabul. In March 1988, the Junejo government called a Round Table Conference of political parties, for discussing what position Pakistan should take in Geneva talks. All the political parties supported Junejo’s point of view which was different from Zia-ul-Haq’s opinion. In 1988 political consensus was developed on the basic principles of Geneva Accord. General Zia-ul-Haq was unhappy with the prime minister because he thought that Pakistan was going to become unsafe if Americans leave Afghanistan without setting up a stable government in Kabul. Pakistan and Afghanistan signed the Geneva Accord on April 14, 1988. The US and the Soviet Union signed the accord as guarantors. Soviet Union accepted her defeat and agreed to withdraw all her troops from Afghanistan till February 15, 1989. This resulted in the end of Afghan war. Zia-ul-Haq dismissed Junejo government on May 29, 1988. General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq died in a plane crash on August 17, 1988. Senate chairman Ghulam Ishaq Khan took over as president after Zia’s death. ## Restoration of Civil Government (1988-1999) ### Benazir First Regime (1988-1990) On the direction of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, elections in 1988, were held on a party basis. Pakistan Peoples' Party, under the leadership of Benazir Bhutto, won the majority of seats. On December 1, 1988, Benazir Bhutto took oath as the first woman Prime Minister of Pakistan as well as of the Muslim world. #### Important Steps of Benazir's First Government Benazir Bhutto tried to improve the environment for foreign investment. Relationship with India and America started improving. Ban on student and trade unions was lifted. Censorship on the press was also lifted. Women's Division was raised to the status of ministry in 1989. First Women Bank was instituted during this period. More than 48 thousand schools were established and 1800 villages were electrified. ### Dismissal of Benazir Government President Ghulam Ishaq Khan exercising power under section 58-2/B of the constitution dismissed Benazir’s government on charges of corruption, incompetence, and mismanagement. National Assembly was also dissolved on August 6, 1990. The first government of Benazir lasted for about 20 months. ## Nawaz Sharif’s First Regime (1990-93) ### Election of 1990 and establishment of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif's Government National Assembly elections were held on October 24, 1990. Islami Jamhoori-Ittihad (IJI) contested elections under the leadership of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. IJI won 105 seats, Pakistan People’s Party was able to secure only 46 seats. Nawaz Sharif was sworn in as prime minister of Pakistan in November 1990. #### Important Steps of Nawaz Sharif's Government The newly elected government had to face many challenges. Law and order situation was dismal and economy was devastated. Foreign aid had been cut due to the nuclear program. Nawaz Sharif believed in liberating the economy from strict government control, he believed that nationalization of industries had destroyed the economy. He therefore, started a policy of privatization. As a first step, the government instituted a Privatization Commission. The Government denationalized 115 industrial units and other financial institutions including banks. In order to solve the problems of unemployment and shortage of public transport, Nawaz government started “Yellow Cab Scheme”. Nawaz Sharif believed that an infrastructure of quality roadways was essential for the economic development of the country. He, therefore, started building world class motorways in the country. The 367 km long 6 lane Islamabad-Lahore Motorway was the first phase of this project which was completed in his second tenure as Prime Minister. It was inaugurated by him in November 1997. Motorway project was later extended to Peshawar and to Faisalabad. After the completion of motorway up to Multan, the project has been extended up to Karachi and Gwadar. In order to improve the condition of farmers, agricultural reforms were introduced. The provinces had a dispute regarding the distribution of Indus waters, with the efforts of the government, this dispute was amicably resolved through an agreement. In order to provide financial help to the needy, Bait-ul-Mal was instituted in 1992. Positive changes were made in the foreign policy of the country. The government made efforts to bring warring Afghan groups on negotiation table. India was officially invited to resolve the Kashmir dispute, but these efforts did not succeed due to Indian arrogance. Hindu extremists demolished the historic Babari Masjid in 1992, and the National Assembly of Pakistan condemned this brutal incident by passing a resolution. During this period, Pakistan tried her best to improve relations with all countries of the world in general and the United States of America in particular. Pakistan adopted a careful stance regarding America’s invasion of Iraq. ### Dismissal of Nawaz Sharif’s Government President Ghulam Ishaq Khan charged the government of harassing its opponents, as well as of gross irregularities in the process of privatization, dismissed the government on the basis of these allegations. Nawaz Sharif challenged his dismissal in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled in favour of Nawaz Sharif and observed that the dismissal was illegal and unconstitutional. The government stood restored in principle, but differences between the president and the prime minister were so grave in nature that smooth running of the government had become impossible. In these circumstances, chief of the army staff intervened and convinced both the prime minister and the president to resign. ## Benazir Bhutto’s Second Regime (1993-96) In 1993 general elections, neither of the big political parties was able to secure a majority in the National Assembly. The Pakistan People’s Party, however, was able to form a coalition government with the help of small parties. Benazir Bhutto became prime minister of Pakistan for the second time on October 19, 1993, and Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan Laghari took oath as the president of Pakistan. #### Important Measures During her second tenure as prime minister, Benazir took many steps for the improvement of the economy. An agreement worth 4.15 billion dollar investment by South Korea, was signed. In the March 1994, another agreement for the manufacturing of tanks and armored vehicles in the Heavy Rebuild Factory (Now Heavy Industries Taxila), was signed by China and Pakistan. As a result of the personal efforts of the Prime Minister, the American Congress passed the Brown Amendment on October 24, 1995. This amendment relaxed the sanctions which Pakistan was facing. In April 1995, Pakistan and America signed 62 memorandums, regarding 6 billion dollar US investment in Pakistan. In January 1995, the prime minister inaugurated the National University of Science & Technology (NUST), in Rawalpindi. A Police Academy was instituted in Islamabad. The prime minister laid the foundation stone of a port and a naval base on the coast of Makran. A 1320 MW coal power generation plant was inaugurated by the prime minister Benazir in January 1995. ### Dismissal of Benazir Bhutto’s Second Government The country faced grave economic crisis during the second tenure of Benazir. This government could not complete even this tenure like the first one. Economic crunch and general unrest encouraged the opposition to bring people on the road. A successful sit-in (dharna) was staged by Jamat-e-Islami in front of the National Assembly. Situation deteriorated to such an extent that the president could not wait much. Benazir's second government was dismissed on November 5, 1996, under section 58-2-B of the constitution, by president Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan Laghari. ## Nawaz Sharif's Second Government (1997-1999) ### 1997 Election Results General elections were held on February 3, 1997. All important political parties participated. Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) returned as the largest majority party in the National Assembly. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif took over as prime minister for the second time on February 17. 1997. #### Important Steps During the last ten years, internal and external debts to be paid by the country had increased almost four times. The government had to pay Rs. 39 billion as interest in financial year 1995-1996. Nawaz Sharif started "Qarz Utaro Mulk Sanwaro" (retire debt to adore the country) scheme. He appealed the nation to contribute to this fund. Public response to his appeal was enthusiastic, but the scheme could not produce desired results due to poor management. On April 1, 1997, the government got the 13th amendment bill passed by the Parliament. This amendment stripped the president of his discretion to dissolve the National Assembly as well as the governors to dissolve their respective provincial assemblies. President's powers to appoint the Chiefs of the Armed Forces, on his discretion, without consulting the prime minister, were also taken back. These extraordinary powers were not a part of the original 1973 constitution. These were rather given to the president by Gen. Muhammad Zia ul Haq under 8th Amendment. This amendment was welcomed as a great victory of the parliamentary democracy. During this tenure, the government also passed the 14th amendment bill. This bill stopped the unethical practice of floor-crossing by the national and provincial assemblies' and senate members, this practice was popularly known as "horse trading". #### Nuclear Test India conducted three nuclear tests in Pokhran on May 11, 1998. This disturbed the balance of power in the region. The government of Pakistan was hard pressed to reciprocate. Nawaz Sharif made an historic decision to withstand all global pressure and go nuclear. Six nuclear tests conducted at Chaghi (Balochistan) on May 28, 1998, made Pakistan the 7th nuclear power of the world and the first one in the Muslim World. This historic event shattered Indian dreams of hegemony in the region. ### Dismissal of Nawaz Sharif’s Second Government Nawaz Sharif was very confident due to the heavy mandate, people had given him in the last general elections. He believed that all the institutions of the state should respect this mandate and obey his orders. A rift between the civil government and the army chief emerged due to Kargil War. Nawaz Sharif dismissed the Chief of the army staff General Parvez Musharraf at a time when he was in an airplane on his way back from a visit abroad. ## Parvez Musharraf's Government (1999 to 2008) During meantime a new army chief was appointed. A group of senior army officers prevented the newly appointed army chief from taking charge of duties, conducted safe landing of Parvez Musharraf’s plane in Karachi and announced that the prime minister was dismissed and put under house arrest. General Parvez Musharraf took over as Chief Executive of the country on Oct 12, 1999. Nawaz Sharif and his close friends were arrested. The prime minister was indicted under the so-called ‘Plane Hijacking Case’. After overthrowing Nawaz Sharif’s government on October 12, 1999, Parvez Musharraf dissolved the National and the provincial assemblies, suspended the constitution and created a new office of Chief Executive for him. Elected president Rafiq Tarar was forced to resign on June 20, 2001. General Parvez Musharraf called a referendum which was conducted in an atmosphere of suspicion about its fairness. On the basis of this referendum, General Parvez Musharraf took over as president on April 30, 2002. Earlier, the Supreme Court had passed a verdict and authorized the president to bring about constitutional and social reforms within a period of 3 years. ### Local Self Government #### Devolution Plan General Parvez Musharraf launched a new scheme of local self-government. This initiative was named Devolution of Power and Responsibility Plan 2000. Given below are the salient features of the plan. - Minimum age limit of the voter shall be reduced to 18 years. - A system of local bodies, with strong financial basis, shall be devised. - Both male and female citizens shall be given representation at village and Union Council levels. - The District Government shall be fully empowered to run district administration. District shall be developed as the basic unit of governance and development. In order to ensure popular participation in city affairs, Citizen Community Boards shall be established. - In order to stop unplanned urbanization, and remove disparity between rural and urban areas a strong rural structure shall be devised at tehsil level. #### Tiers of Local Government Local-Self-Government was based on four tiers under ‘Devolution of Power and Responsibility Plan 2000’ i.e. The Union Council, the City District, the Tehsil Council and the District Council. ### Re-Structing of the Civil Services Civil services were restructured on the following lines: - Deputy Commissioner (DC) was replaced by District Co-ordination Officer (DCO). Maximum number of administrative departments was not to exceed twelve. Each department was to be headed by an Administrative Officer. - Revenue and Magistracy were separated from each other. Both departments were to be headed by two independent officers. - The Union Council comprised of a Nazim, a Naib Nazim, Union Councilors and Union Administration. Voters were to elect 13 members of the Union Council (4 male councilors, 4 female councilors 2 male farmer or labour members, 2 female farmer or labour members, one minority member). - A Tehsil Nazim, and a Naib Tehsil Nazim were elected by all the councilors present in the tehsil. The Tehsil Nazim was the head of the Tehsil government. Seats in the Tehsil Council were allocated as per following formula, female 33 per cent, farmers and labourers 5 percent, minorities 5 percent. Tehsil Nazim was the head of the tehsil government. - The District Government comprised of a Nazim and a Naib Nazim, the Council and the administration. District Nazim was the head of the district government and exercised all administrative powers. All the elected Union Councilors, Nazims and Naib Nazims assembled together to elect the District Nazim and the Naib Nazim. District Police and district administration were made accountable to the District Nazim. ### Elections 2002 In the general elections, held in 2002, the highest number of seats were secured by the Muslim League (Q). The party was backed and supported by Gen. Parvez Musharraf. Pervez Musharraf was elected president for a term of 5 years. Mir Zafar Ullah Khan Jamali a Muslim League (Q) member from Balochistan, was elected Prime Minister on November 21, 2002. He remained in office till June 2004. He was replaced by Ch. Shujat Hussain who was put up by Parvez Musharraf as a temporary arrangement. The National Assembly then elected the famous banker and incumbent finance minister Shuakat Aziz as prime minister on August 28, 2004. ### Enlightened Moderation Gen. Parvez Musharraf proclaimed a policy which he liked to denote as ‘enlightened moderation’. This term generally implied woman empowerment and freedom of media. ### Industrialization and Privatization After becoming prime minister in 2004, Shaukat Aziz started the process of privatization at a faster pace. He targeted the privatization of 100% state-owned corporations and 85% of banks. He was successful in selling the shares of 80% banks and other state-owned corporations till 2007. Privatization of the telecom sector produced remarkable results, enormous foreign investment came in, mobile phone facility became common and widespread. #### Economic Reforms A composite term ‘Macro Economic Reforms’ was used for the economic reforms introduced by Parvez Musharraf government. Following are the salient features of this policy: - Good governance. - Market reforms, which implied, increasing the number of tax-payers, documentation of transactions (sale and purchase), levying of sales tax. - Increase exports. - Human Resource Development i.e. using the population for economic development by educating the people and imparting skills. - Water-resource-management (i.e., taking maximum benefit from water resources) and cooperative farming. - Economy free of government control (denationalization). ### Resignation of Parvez Musharraf and Afterwards Following developments paved way for the resignation of president Musharraf: #### Elections of 2008 and Pakistan Peoples Party’s New Government During Parvez Musharraf’s government, Benazir Bhutto was assassinated publically in a terrorist attack on December 27, 2007. General elections were held on February 18, 2008. Pakistan Peoples’ Party won majority seats in the National Assembly, Pakistan Muslim League (N) was the second largest party in the National Assembly. Pakistan Muslim League (Q) failed miserably in attracting voters. Pakistan Peoples’ Party’s Sayed Yousaf Raza Gilani was elected by the National Assembly as the 24th Prime Minister of Pakistan with clear majority. #### Parvez Musharraf’s Resignation As a result of national and international pressure, Parvez Musharraf was forced to quit. He tendered his resignation on August 18, 2008 and went abroad. ### Elections for the New President of Pakistan Polling in the parliament and all the four provincial assemblies was held for electing the new president on September 6, 2008. Asif Ali Zardari, chairman Pakistan Peoples' Party was elected president with two thirds majority. ### Removal of the Prime Minister The prime minister elect, of the Pakistan People's Party Yousaf Raza Gilani, however, could not complete his term. He was disqualified by the Supreme Court before the end of his term and the National Assembly elected Raja Parvez Ashraf to replace him as Prime Minister till the end of government's term. Pakistan People’s Party completed five years of its term in March 2013. 18th Constitutional amendment was passed by the parliament during Yousaf Raza Gilani’s government. Under this amendment, many powers of the Federal Government like health, education, sports, social welfare etc were transferred to provincial governments. ## Elections 2013 and Nawaz Sharif’s Third Term as Prime Minister Pakistan Muslim League (N) returned as the majority party in the election held on May 11, 2013. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was elected Prime Minister for the third time. Mamnoon Hussain was elected as President. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, however, could not complete his term in office. In 2017, he was disqualified for the office of the Prime Minister in Panama Papers Case. He was sent to jail for a period of ten years by an Accountability Court. In 2018, Nawaz Sharif was also disqualified for holding any party office, as well. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi (PML-N) was elected next prime minister, he remained in office from August 2017 to May 2018. ## Elections 2018 and Establishment of Imran Khan's Government Ex-cricketer Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) emerged as the largest parliamentary party in 2018 election. He was able to form a government with the help of five lesser parliamentary parties.