Democratic government toppled, Constitution and democratic rights abrogated
Pakistan plunged into the darkest era of its history on 5th July 1977. Fifth July 1977 is a black day in our history from every mean and definition. Army chief General Zia conspire with reactionary right wing forces and overthrow the first democratically elected government of Zulifqar Ali Bhutto. A relative progressive and liberal regime was replaced by most repressive and reactionary right wing military dictatorship. The democratic transition that began in 1973 came to an abrupt end on 5th July 1977. The liberal and enlightened face of Pakistan was changed. That was the beginning of a long process of destroying the very fabric of the Pakistani society. Pakistan has not been able to recover from this horror and tyranny since then.
That fateful day remind us that how a military dictator begun the project of reshaping the political, social, religious and ideological life of ordinary Pakistanis. Social and cultural values were reconstructed. It was not just a mere change of guard or a simple transition from a civilian rule to a military one. But it was an imperialist initiative to begun an offensive against any kind of progressive, left wing and liberal political, social and ideological thoughts and values in the country. General Zia used Islam as a political slogan for his own interests.
The protest movement launched by Pakistan National Alliance (PNA) provided the ideological and social basis for the military dictatorship of General Zia. After having absolute power in his hands, General Zia and a small clique around him established a draconian, authoritarian and dictatorial, retrogressive and orthodox right wing Islamic nationalist order in the country. Even though, General Zia killed in a air crash 29 years ago, his ghost is still looming large over Pakistan.
Ziaisation of state and society
General Zia through back the whole society. He took away each and every progressive and democratic reform or legislation and replaced it with reactionary and discriminatory legislations. In the name of Islamisation, he targeted the women and religious minorities in the country. He fill the state institutions with the right wing religious supporters and hard line Islamists. He unleashed rein of terror against anybody who oppose his regime. Thousands of political activists, poets, writers, academics and trade union leaders were tortured and imprisoned. He give free hand to everybody, who supported his regime to enrich himself through any means possible. He introduce the culture of corruption, smuggling of narcotics and arms and nepotism.
He used all the state institutions and structures to lengthen his rule. He used the police, judiciary, intelligence apparatus and state machine to repress the progressive and democratic voices in the country. He made the politics as a crime and political activists were treated like terrorist and traitors. His regime changed the political culture and politics was made worse than a crime and abuse. It was written at all the public places including the restaurants, tea stalls and offices not to discuss politics. It was forbidden to have political debates and discussions at all public places. He brutally reversed the political process.
Divide and rule
General Zia used divide and rule to strengthen his rule. He used already existing divisions as a policy to further divide the society.
The only purpose of whole state machinery was to protect his regime and to destroy his opponents. He imposed his reactionary agenda on the name of Islam. He used religion to strengthen his rule. He divided the society on the basis of religious sectarianism, ethnicity, language and nationalities. He promoted religious sectarianism in the country and created sectarian militant outfits. He promoted Muhajir ethnic group to divide Sindh on that lines. He helped the formation of MQM in Karachi. The decay of state institutions were intensified in that period. The most of the social and political evils which still haunts us were created and developed during his regime. He perfected the art of hypocrisy. He changed the character and direction of the Pakistani society within ten years of his ruthless and brutal rule.
The dirty role of the Imperialist powers
General Zia was the darling of the west when he was serving their interests. The champions of the democracy and rule of law, promoted law of the jungle in pakistan strengthened the reactionary forces. The west ignored the brutal repression of the political parties.
The western media, governments and academics always give the impression that the rise of religious extremism, intolerance, Islamic militancy and religious bigotry is a home grown indigenous phenomenon which has nothing to do with Imperialist policies. The matter of fact is that Imperialist powers helped the reactionary military regime of General Zia to shape the Pakistani society to fulfil their imperialist interests. They helped the regime to organise and trained the Jihadi organisations and a culture of Islamic militancy. They helped to spread the reactionary ideas in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
It was the Western democracies which strengthened the most repressive and brutal military regime in the country. They helped Pakistani generals to pursue the Jihadist agenda in and out side the boundaries. America, Britain, Germany and other western powers take along reactionary regime of Saudi Arabia to spread the reactionary and intolerant ideas in Pakistan. They helped military regime to transform Pakistan from a liberal and tolerant society to the one that exist even today. They supported a regime which was responsible for torture and illegal imprisonment of thousands of Political activists. Which openly violates the basic democratic and fundamental rights. Which promoted intolerance, religious bigotry, extreme islamic nationalism and culture of Jihad.
Zia regime depoliticised the society and encouraged anti democratic forces in the country. General Zia empowered the extreme right wing religious forces and give them bigger say in the religious affairs. He established the hegemony of the religious forces in the matters of religion. State withdraw its authority and write in the religious matters and handed it over to the religious leaders.
Religious right was never a mass force
Pakistan was a Muslim majority country and religion was an integral part of everyday life of ordinary people. There were religious movements and religious political parties in the country pursuing right wing political agenda. Some religious political parties joined hand with American Imperialism to counter the Communist propaganda. Pakistani state followed the American anti communist policy and went after the left wing and progressive movements. Despite all the repression from the state, there were acceptance in the society for progressive ideas. That is why the religious right was routed in the first democratic elections in 1970s. Left wing, progressive and secular nationalist forces emerged victorious in the elections.
Bhutto led PPP emerged as the largest party in west Pakistan ( now Pakistan) and Awami League led Mujeeb won landslide in East Pakistan ( now Bangladesh). Both PPP and Awami League won the elections on popular left wing slogans and program. Awami League took more a nationalist position as compare to PPP which took more clear class position. After the separation of East Pakistan in December 1971, Bhutto came to power.
The right wing religious forces failed to establish its authority in the society and fail to gain popular support among the masses. The election result was a disaster for the right wing pro-establishment and religious forces. The religious parties draw the conclusion from this defeat and decided to exploit the religious sentiments of the ordinary Muslims. In 1973, they launched the protest movement to declare Ahmadis non Muslims. After few months of violent protests, Bhutto conceded and national Assembly declared Ahmadis as non Muslims. Then Bhutto conceded further pressure and banned alcohol and declared Friday as weekly holiday instead of Sunday. The concessions and retreat of Bhutto, embolden the religious right and they increased pressure on Bhutto regime.
PNA movement used as a lame excuse
Bhutto tried to appease and please the religious forces but they took it as his weakness. Pakistan National Alliance (PNA) got another opportunity in 1977 when they alleged that PPP government rigged the elections and they launched protest movement. The street protest started against the election rigging very quickly turned into the movement to implement the Sharia system. The alliance of 9 right wing political and religious parties started to exploit the religious sentiments of the muslim masses.
This right wing religious movement took advantage of the mistakes made by the Bhutto regime. It is an open secret that this PNA movement was encouraged and financed by American Imperialism to oust Bhutto. General Zia collaborated with PNA leadership to destabilize the PPP government and finally imposed martial law on 5th July 1977 to ‘stablise’ the situation. Bhutto once again conceded to the religious right and agreed to re-election, but General Zia had the other ideas.
When Bhutto was toppled, he was still very popular. Despite all the mistakes, he made while in the government, he did not lost his charisma. His popularity and defiance of the military regime frightened Zia and he decided to take his life through a flawed judicial process. It was a judicial murder and still a black spot on the judiciary which collaborated with military dictator.
General Zia promised to hold elections within 90 days of his took over but this promise never fulfilled by him. He extended his rule to over 10 years with the help of right wing politicians, religious forces and pro- military elite including Nawaz Sharif. Pakistan became frontline state in the imperialist battle against communism and Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Working masses of Pakistan and Afghanistan are still paying the price of this proxy war.