Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto 1971-77

Question 1

How did Bhutto become President?

Answer 1

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto became President of Pakistan in December 1971, following the secession of East Pakistan and the end of military rule.

Question 2

Which constitution was introduced during Bhutto’s reign?

Answer 2

The 1973 Constitution, which established Pakistan as a parliamentary democracy.

Question 3

What were Bhutto’s key domestic policies?

Answer 3

Nationalization of key industries, such as steel, banking, and insurance

Expansion of social welfare programs, such as education and healthcare

Land reforms to benefit peasants

Promotion of Islamic values and culture

Question 4

What were Bhutto’s key foreign policy initiatives?

Answer 4

Improved relations with China and the Soviet Union

Reduced reliance on the United States

Support for the Palestinian cause and improving relations with the Muslim world

Advocacy for nuclear non-proliferation

Question 5

What were the main challenges facing Pakistan when Bhutto came to power in 1971?

Answer 5

The loss of East Pakistan in the Bangladesh Liberation War.

A deep economic crisis.

Political instability and social unrest.

A hostile relationship with India.

Question 6

Why was Bhutto overthrown in a military coup in 1977?

Answer 6

Bhutto was overthrown in a military coup in 1977 by General Zia-ul-Haq. Zia accused Bhutto of rigging the 1977 general election and committing human rights abuses.

Question 7

What happened to Bhutto after he was overthrown?

Answer 7

Bhutto was put on trial for murder of a dissident and sentenced to death. He was executed by hanging in 1979.

Question 8

Who were the US Presidents during Bhutto’s reign?

Answer 8

Richard M. Nixon (1969-74)

Gerald R. Ford (1974-77)

Question 9

Who was the leader of the Soviet Union during Bhutto’s reign?

Answer 9

Leonid Brezhnev – in office from 1964 to 1982

Question 10

Who was the Indian Prime minister during Bhutto’s reign?

Answer 10

Indira Gandhi - from 1971-77

Question 11

Who was the leader of China during Bhutto’s reign?

Answer 11

From 1971-77, the Paramount Leader of China was Mao Zedong.
From 1975, Deng Xiaoping and Hua Guofeng joined him in this position.

Question 12

What was the Simla Agreement?

Answer 12

A peace agreement signed between India and Pakistan in 1972. It ended the conflict between the two countries over the Bangladesh Liberation War and established a framework for resolving future disputes peacefully. It enabled the release of 95,000 Pakistani POWs from India.

Question 13

What was the Nationalization Act of 1972?

Answer 13

The Nationalization Act of 1972 was a law passed by Bhutto’s government that nationalized key industries, such as steel, banking, and insurance. The goal of the law was to promote economic development and social justice.

Question 14

What was the Land Reforms Act of 1972?

Answer 14

The Land Reforms Act of 1972 was a law passed by Bhutto’s government that redistributed land from large landlords to poor peasants. The goal of the law was to reduce poverty and inequality.

Question 15

What were the labor reforms?

Answer 15

Bhutto’s labor reforms improved the rights of workers, including the right to form unions and to bargain collectively.

Question 16

How did Bhutto sell his socialist policies in Pakistan?

Answer 16

Bhutto argued that socialism was compatible with Islam, and he promoted the idea of an “Islamic socialism.” This helped to legitimize socialism in Pakistan and to make it more acceptable to the religious right.

Question 17

What was Bhutto’s popular slogan?

Answer 17

Roti, kapra aur makan (Food, clothing, and shelter)

Question 18

What was Bhutto’s non-aligned foreign policy?

Answer 18

Pakistan would not side with any major power bloc, such as the United States or the Soviet Union. Instead, Pakistan would pursue its own independent foreign policy based on its own national interests.

Question 19

What were Bhutto’s relations with the United States like?

Answer 19

Bhutto’s relations with the United States were initially strained due to the US support for India during the Bangladesh Liberation War. However, Bhutto improved relations with the US after he came to power. He visited the US in 1973 and 1976, and he secured US economic and military aid for Pakistan.

Question 20

What were Bhutto’s relations with the Soviet Union like?

Answer 20

Bhutto had a cautious relationship with the Soviet Union. He did not want to become too close to the Soviets, but he also did not want to antagonize them. He maintained trade and economic ties with the Soviet Union, but he also refused to allow the Soviets to establish military bases in Pakistan.

Question 21

What were Bhutto’s relations with China like?

Answer 21

Bhutto had close relations with China. He saw China as a valuable ally and a counterweight to India. He visited China in 1973 and 1976, and he secured Chinese economic and military aid for Pakistan.

Question 22

What role did Bhutto play in the Islamic world?

Answer 22

Bhutto played a prominent role in the Islamic world. He was a strong advocate for Muslim unity and solidarity. He hosted the Islamic Summit Conference in Lahore in 1974, which was attended by the leaders of 37 Muslim countries. He also played a key role in the founding of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Question 23

What was the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)?

Answer 23

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is an international organization of Muslim countries that was founded in 1974. The goal of the OIC is to promote cooperation among Muslim countries and to protect the interests of Muslims around the world. Bhutto was a key figure in the founding of the OIC and served as its first secretary-general.

Question 24

What were Bhutto’s views on the Palestinian issue?

Answer 24

Bhutto was a strong supporter of the Palestinian people. He condemned the Israeli occupation of Palestine and called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. He also provided financial and military assistance to the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).

Question 25

What role did Bhutto play in the Third World?

Answer 25

Bhutto was a strong advocate for the rights of developing countries. He called for a new international economic order that would be more just and equitable. He was also a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Question 26

What was the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)?

Answer 26

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is an international organization of developing countries that was founded in 1961. The goal of NAM is to promote South-South cooperation and to protect the interests of developing countries in the global arena. Bhutto was a founding member of NAM and played a leading role in the organization.

Question 27

What was the RCD?

Answer 27

The RCD, or Regional Cooperation for Development, was a trade and economic cooperation bloc between Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey that was founded in 1964. Bhutto was a strong supporter of the RCD and saw it as a way to promote economic development in the region.

Question 28

What was the CENTO?

Answer 28

The CENTO, or the Central Treaty Organization, was a military alliance between Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States that was founded in 1955. Bhutto was initially critical of the CENTO, seeing it as a Western-dominated alliance. However, he later softened his stance and came to see the CENTO as a valuable source of military aid and security for Pakistan.

Question 29

When did Pakistan begin its nuclear program?

Answer 29

Pakistan began its nuclear program in the early 1970s, shortly after Bhutto came to power. He established the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and allocated significant resources to the nuclear program.

Question 30

What was Bhutto’s rationale for pursuing a nuclear program?

Answer 30

Bhutto believed that a nuclear program was essential for Pakistan’s security and prestige. He saw Pakistan as being surrounded by hostile neighbors, such as India, which conducted a nuclear test in 1974, and he believed that a nuclear deterrent was necessary to prevent them from attacking. Bhutto also believed that a nuclear program would give Pakistan a greater voice in international affairs.

Question 31

When did India conduct its first nuclear test?

Answer 31

India first tested a nuclear device on 18 May 1974 (code-named “Smiling Buddha”), under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as a peaceful nuclear explosion. Their nuclear program had begun in 1967.

Question 32

What was Bhutto’s popular slogan relating to the nuclear program?

Answer 32

“We will eat grass, but we will make the atom bomb.”

This slogan was popular because it showed that Bhutto was determined to develop Pakistan’s nuclear program, even if it meant making sacrifices. The slogan also resonated with Pakistani nationalism, as it suggested that Pakistan was willing to do whatever it took to defend itself and to maintain its independence. It was effective in mobilizing public support for the nuclear program.

Question 33

What were some of the challenges that Pakistan faced in developing its nuclear program?

Answer 33

Limited financial resources.

Technological embargoes from Western countries.

A hostile intelligence community from India and other countries.

Question 34

What role did Abdul Qadeer Khan play in Pakistan’s nuclear program?

Answer 34

Abdul Qadeer Khan was a Pakistani metallurgist and nuclear engineer who was instrumental in developing Pakistan’s nuclear program. He is credited with leading the team that developed Pakistan’s first nuclear bomb in 1998. Khan was also involved in nuclear proliferation activities, which led to his dismissal from the PAEC in 2001.

Question 35

What were the international reactions to Pakistan’s nuclear program?

Answer 35

The international reactions to Pakistan’s nuclear program were mixed. The United States and other Western countries condemned Pakistan’s nuclear program and imposed economic sanctions on the country. However, some other countries, such as China, were supportive of Pakistan’s nuclear program.

Question 36

What was the impact of Bhutto’s nuclear program on Pakistan?

Answer 36

Bhutto’s nuclear program had a significant impact on Pakistan. It helped to deter aggression from Pakistan’s neighbors and gave the country a greater voice in international affairs. However, the nuclear program also came at a high cost. It diverted resources away from other important areas, such as education and healthcare. It also led to Pakistan’s isolation from the international community.

Question 37

Which Muslim nation helped Pakistan in its nuclear program?

Answer 37

Pakistan began developing nuclear weapons in the 1970s, and Libya was one of the countries that helped Pakistan with its program. In the 2000s, Libya abandoned its nuclear program and handed over its nuclear information to the IAEA.

Question 38

First nuclear reactor

Answer 38

In 1974, Pakistan successfully tested its first nuclear reactor.

Question 39

Which religious minority was targeted during Bhutto’s reign?

Answer 39

In 1974, Bhutto declared the Ahmadiyya Movement to be non-Muslim. This was done to appease the religious right and to consolidate his power.

Question 40

1976: Bhutto declares emergency rule

Answer 40

Bhutto declared emergency rule in 1976 after a series of anti-government protests. This allowed him to suspend civil liberties and to arrest his opponents.

Question 41

Pakistan National Alliance (PNA) launches anti-government movement

Answer 41

The Pakistan National Alliance (PNA), a coalition of opposition parties, launched an anti-government movement in 1977. The PNA alleged that the 1977 general election had been rigged and demanded Bhutto’s resignation.

Question 42

Economic problems

Answer 42

The Pakistani economy was in a difficult state when Bhutto took office in 1971. The country was facing high inflation, unemployment, and poverty. Bhutto’s economic policies did not improve the situation significantly, and in some cases, they actually made it worse.

Question 43

Political instability

Answer 43

Bhutto’s rule was characterized by political instability and violence. He cracked down on his opponents and used the state to intimidate and harass them. This led to a decline in public confidence in the government and an increase in political polarization.

Question 44

Social tensions

Answer 44

Bhutto’s rule also exacerbated social tensions in Pakistan. His declaration of the Ahmadiyya Movement as non-Muslim led to an increase in sectarian violence. His economic policies also benefited the wealthy at the expense of the poor, which led to growing inequality.

Question 45

Human rights abuses

Answer 45

Bhutto’s regime was accused of widespread human rights abuses, including torture, extrajudicial killings, and forced disappearances. In 1977, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reported that there had been over 10,000 political prisoners in the country.

Question 46

Press and Publications Ordinance

Answer 46

Passed in 1973, it gave the government broad powers to censor the media.