Author: Safdar Mahmood
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 2000
Language: English
Pages: 440
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0195798066
Description
The focus of the book is on Pakistan’s political history. With a chapter on the establishment of Pakistan as a backgrounder, the book thoroughly examines constitution-making and the characteristic features of various constitutions and why and how these did not work effectively.
It analyses the working of the military governments of Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, and Ziaul Haq as well as the working of the elected civil governments after Pakistan’s return to civilian rule in 1985. It also analyses the programmes and functioning of various political parties along with their election performance and leadership. The book critically examines the genesis, functioning and cases for the periodic breakdown of the democratic process in Pakistan.
It offers a concise analytical statement on the major aspects of Pakistan’s history, constitution-making, political parties and the democratic process and foreign policy. Not other single volume covers such a long period of history, examining a variety of subjects and issues.
REVIEW
Has several original aspects. The author offers a succinct analysis of the major political events, entities, constitutions, and processes. It’s a kind of a capsule of information and data, giving an excellent introduction to Pakistan’s political history and foreign policy.
-Hasan-Askari Rizvi
Contents
Preface
Pakistan Movement: The Historical Perspective
Chasing the Constitution
The Political Parities
Foreign Policy and External Relations
The Dilemma of Democracy
Appendices
Bibliography
Index