First Benazir Bhutto government

First Benazir Bhutto Government
First Benazir Bhutto Government
; 29th Cabinet of Pakistan
Date formed	2 December 1988
Date dissolved	6 August 1990
People and organisations
Head of state	Ghulam Ishaq Khan
Head of government	Benazir Bhutto
Total no. of members	58
Member party	Pakistan People's Party
Status in legislature	Minority (Plurality)
Opposition party	Islami Jamhoori Ittehad
Opposition leader	Nawaz Sharif
History
Election	1988 general elections
Outgoing election	1990 general elections
Outgoing formation	Jatoi caretaker government
Predecessor	Zia government
Successor	First Nawaz Sharif government

The first Benazir Bhutto government was formed on 2 December 1988^[1] following general elections held in 1988. Due to the PPP only securing a plurality, the new government forged a coalition alliance with the MQM, ANP, JUI(FR) and other additional independents.^[2]^: 398 Following elections President Ghulam Ishaq Khan called upon Benazir Bhutto, later announcing the formation of a new government.^[3]^: 211 Benazir promised while taking oath on 2 December to eradicate illiteracy, poverty, restore student unions, liberate political prisoners, provide equal rights to women and free the media. However, the Army's continued influence and lack of a legislative majority led to her later declaring her government's freedom of action was "institutionally, economically, politically (and) structurally" constrained.^[4]^: 298 Later during Presidential elections the same year, Benazir Bhutto solidified her alliance with President Ishaq Khan through supporting his bid for re-election.^[2]^: 398 However later the two came into conflict, over the division of powers between the two offices and as the President continued to support Bhutto's opponent Nawaz Sharif.^[2]^{: 401–402} Eventually on 6 August 1990 Ghulam Ishaq Khan issued an order under Article 58(2)(b) dissolving the National Assembly causing the Prime Minister and the cabinet to cease holding office. The stated charges of dismissal for the Bhutto government were corruption and the deteriorating law and order situation in Sindh.^[2]^{: 402–403}

^ Weintraub, Richard (2 December 1988). "BHUTTO TAKES POWER IN PAKISTAN". The Washington Post.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Khan, Hamid (2017). Constitutional and Political History of Pakistan (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199406098.
^ Ziring, Lawrence (2005). Pakistan: at the crosscurrent of history. New Delhi: Manas Publ. ISBN 978-81-7049-223-8.
^ Talbot, Ian (15 January 2010). Pakistan: A Modern History (2nd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-0230623040.

[1] Weintraub, Richard (2 December 1988). "BHUTTO TAKES POWER IN PAKISTAN". The Washington Post.

[:0-2] Khan, Hamid (2017). Constitutional and Political History of Pakistan (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199406098.

[:2-3] Ziring, Lawrence (2005). Pakistan: at the crosscurrent of history. New Delhi: Manas Publ. ISBN 978-81-7049-223-8.

[:3-4] Talbot, Ian (15 January 2010). Pakistan: A Modern History (2nd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-0230623040.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

First Benazir Bhutto Government
29th Cabinet of Pakistan

Date formed	2 December 1988
Date dissolved	6 August 1990
People and organisations
Head of state	Ghulam Ishaq Khan
Head of government	Benazir Bhutto
Total no. of members	58
Member party	Pakistan People's Party
Status in legislature	Minority (Plurality)
Opposition party	Islami Jamhoori Ittehad
Opposition leader	Nawaz Sharif
History
Election	1988 general elections
Outgoing election	1990 general elections
Outgoing formation	Jatoi caretaker government
Predecessor	Zia government
Successor	First Nawaz Sharif government