Pakistan :: essays research papers fc

PakistanPakistan is a country that, since its creation, has been rooted inturmoil. The recent years are no exception to this. Since 1988, power has beendivided among the president, the prime minister and the military. Tensions in the midst of the three, however, have led to eight changes of government and threeelections. No elected leader has ever completed a full term in office. BenazirBhutto, who was ignore by the president in August 1990 after only twenty-onemonths in office, is the only Pakistani leader to be given a fleck chance atruling (Newberg 19). On October 6, 1993 a general election was held inPakistan. The Pakistan Peoples Party (or PPP) received a majority of the voteand as a result Benazir Bhutto once again became prime minister. This timehowever, she has a pliant president in the form of an old friend. On November13, 1993, Farooq Leghari was elected the country president. besides even with thisunique opportunity for agreement within the ruling circle reforms have n ot takenplace (The Europa World Year curb 2460). in spite of the PPPs success in the 1993 election they still faceduncertainty. They lack not only a parliamentary majority but unity within theirget ranks. One of the biggest problems was a bitter family contest between BenazirBhutto and her mother, Begum and brother, Murtaza. Murtaza had returned fromexile to claim a seat in the Sind provincial assembly, but was immediatelyarrested for alleged terrorist activity. In late December 1993, Benazir removedher mother as PPP co-chair after she had endorsed Murtazas claim that he wasthe rightful heir to his fathers political legacy. However, in September 1994,the family feud seemed to end during a visit of the prime minister to her mother(Banks 717).In Pakistan the end of the cold war had not brought on new, pragmaticthinking on foreign policy that could make Pakistan less reliant on Westernsupport and allow it to develop closer ties with its neighbors. After the coldwar, many terce world countries were abandoned by their protectorates- the U.S.or the former soviet Union. However Pakistans elite has yet to fend for itself(Rashad 158). Pakistans relations with India worsened. Since the creation ofPakistan, relations with India have prevail foreign affairs. These relationsreflect a centuries old rivalry between Hindus and Muslims. The reason for thetensions today is allegations that each side was on the verge of conductingnuclear tests (Year Book 2462).Much of Pakistans problems stem from a legacy of rule by a small groupof around 300 families. Through blood ties, marriage, and business, they have