Role and Impact of MRD movement in Pakistan’s Politics (1981-1988)

INTRODUCTION:

Pakistan came into being through the democratic process and the democracy is the only principle
which was chosen by the founding Father of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnahto run the state
affairs. But unfortunately, since independence, Pakistan did not enjoy true fruits of democracy
due to the military intervention in politics. Constitution which is considered as supreme
document which guarantees the basic and fundamental rights as well as the guidance to run the
state affairs was abrogated many times by Military Dictators. Military Establishment made
Pakistan National Alliance PNA in order to weaken the most popular and democratic leader
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto but the general elections of 1977 went in the favour of PPP.i Unexpected
results of elections provided a ground for PNA to start countrywide protest against the elected
government of PPP. Law and order situation was arising finally; on 5th july 1977 General Zia Ul
Haq imposed Martial Law abrogating the constitution of 1973, dissolved National assembly and
provincial assemblies. Just after getting the power, Zia promised to hold the general elections
within 3 months but never did.

In order to get the democracy back in the country, a movement for the restoration of democracy
MRD was started with an alliance of 11 political parties leading by PPP. Basic purpose of this
movement was to restore the democracy and to hold the free and fair elections.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

Freedom of speech, right to information, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly and freedom
of association are the major articles which safeguards the Fundamental rights of citizens which
remained absent under Zia Martial Law. Zia promised to hold the general elections within 3
months but he never did. To restore democracy in the country all political parties united against
the dictatorship of Zia.

SIGNIFICANCE AND SCOPE OF THE STUDY:

This study has a great significance to know how the democratic movements like MRD strengthen
the democracy. Democracy demands awareness which is only possible through democracy. Until
or unless people are unaware about their rights they could not take government accountable.
History reveals that the movements are always for some rights or some changes in the system.
Military intervention in politics has always weakened democracy in Pakistan and military
dictators have always suppressed such democratic movements which has significant role and
effect on the restoration of democracy in Pakistan.

Hypothesis:

 MRD movement truly strengthened the democracy and became successful to restore the
democracy and Fundamental rights.
 MRD movement did not get the desired demands and failed to achieve its demands.

Significance of this study:

This study has a great significance to know how the democratic movements like MRD strengthen
the democracy. Democracy demands awareness which is only possible through democracy. Until
or unless people are unaware about their rights they could not take government accountable.
History reveals that the movements are always for some rights or some changes in the system.

Literature review:

Article 19 of the constitution of Pakistan reads that ‘’ “Every citizen shall have the right to
freedom of speech and expression and there shall be freedom of press, subject to any
reasonable restriction imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity,
security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign states, public
order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court {commission of} or incitement to
an offence.”ii

The above said article was badly breached under Zia era as press was not allowed to publish
any news based on reality only that news were allowed which were in the favour of him and his
administration. Series of newspapers were closed, arrest and flogging of journalists in public
depicts that Zia administration did not take care of fundamental rights of the state. As MRD
movement was originated from SINDH and Sindhi journalists and newspaper played a vital role
during this movement against General Zia. Despite of all the censorship, limited Sindhi
newspapers were able to give some coverage to the movement for the restoration of
democracy.iii

Abdul Qadir Mushtaq Chairman History department GC university Faisalabad, writes in his
article that PPP was the only forceful opposition party which consistently opposed policies of
Zia. Bhutto removal from political scene deprived PPP of its most charismatic leader. To further
weaken the base of the party, false cases were registered against its leaders. Military courts
awarded severe punishments to party activists. It was not possible for PPP to launch a
movement against military regime without support of the other political parties. The movement
of Restoration of Democracy revived Pakistan People’s Party and provided it a chance to
challenge the dictatorship effectively.iv (Mushtaq)

Amir Ali Chandio, Mughis Ahmed and Fouzia Naseem, in their paper quoted interview with the
Aitezaz Ahsan showing the agitation among the masses against Zia Government

‘’a large number of workers and leaders of ppp and MRD were arrested but policy towards the
public was different in Sindh and Punjab. This was the reason that the roads and streets of
Punjab were not closed during the MRD movement. But in Sindh people were fighting with the
army. They even did not allow zia to land in Dadu’’

Concluding their article, they accepted that due to the MRD movement, Zia agreed for the
election and general elections were held in 1985 on non party basis. This was first step towards
democratic system.v
References
Mushtaq, A. Q. (n.d.). Movement for Restoration of Democracy. pu.edu.pk , 16.

i
http://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/history/PDF-FILES/7-%20PC%20Abdul%20Qadir%20Mushtaq_52-1-15.pdf
ii
http://na.gov.pk/uploads/documents/1333523681_951.pdf
iii
http://www.comminit.com/media-development/content/sindhi-press-against-censorship-during-zia-regime-
1977-1988
RESEARCH QUESTIONS:

1. What were the objectives of MRD movement and to what extent this movement was susscessful
to restore democracy in Pakistan?
2. What were the implications and issues which challenged the MRD movement?
3. How the MRD was important to strengthen democracy?

HYPOTHESIS:

Although MRD movement did not get the desired demands but MRD movement truly
strengthened the democracy and became successful to restore the democracy and Fundamental
rights. Despite its setbacks, the MRD was significant for mounting a political pressure on
president Zia to hold the elections.
For the first time in the history of Pakistan MRD provided a single platform for Eleven political
parties to be unite for the sake of democracy against military dictatorship.

METHODOLOGY:

This research is based upon analytical, qualitative and descriptive methodology. Analytical approach
would find and examine the reasons which hurdled in the restoration of democratic system, while
descriptive method would deal with the breakthroughs and their nature.
ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY:s

Introduction

1. Reasons behind the restoration of democracy.

2. Breakthrough in the process of democratization in the country.
3. Role of political parties
4. Impact of MRD movement on the government of Zia.

iv
http://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/history/PDF-FILES/7-%20PC%20Abdul%20Qadir%20Mushtaq_52-1-15.pdf
v

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dr_Ahmed2/publication/271072890_Struggle_for_Democracy_in_Sindh_A
_Case_Study_of_Movement_of_Democracy_1983_--_Amir_Ali_Chandio_-
_Mughees_Ahmad_and_Fouzia_Naseem/links/55d5b91f08aeb38e8a7fd9f0/Struggle-for-Democracy-in-Sindh-A-
Case-Study-of-Movement-of-Democracy-1983--Amir-Ali-Chandio-Mughees-Ahmad-and-Fouzia-Naseem.pdf