Evaluate the success of Zulfikar Bhutto’s domestic policies.

Candidates are required to appraise the domestic policies of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. They will focus on the nature of his policies and consider the level of his achievements. Bhutto was in power between 1971 and 1977 and was the founder of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the largest and most influential political party in Pakistan. Candidates may discuss whether Bhutto was interested in
maintaining the political integrity of Pakistan or if he was more concerned with advancing a personal agenda.

Indicative content

• Bhutto was determined to maintain Pakistan as a nation and used intelligence and military operations to attempt to destroy separatist movements across Pakistan.
• Bhutto refused to cooperate with the Awami League after the 1970 elections, tensions over this eventually led to the declaration of independence in Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Liberation War.
• Bhutto held peace talks with Indira Gandhi. The Shimla Agreement (1972) resulted in nearly 100,000 Pakistani prisoners being released and the establishment of a temporary line of control in Kashmir.
• Constitutional developments included Bhutto recognizing the sovereignty of Bangladesh in the 1973 Constitution.
• Bhutto established a nuclear programme for Pakistan to respond to a potential nuclear threat from India. He set up the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and provided funds for research into nuclear weapons.
• Bhutto was determined to improve Pakistan’s education and health systems but this was at a great cost and his socialist principles were often blamed for slowing down Pakistan’s economic progress.
• Land reforms capped the amount of land that could be owned and tax benefits were given to small landowners.
• Bhutto attempted to make Pakistan more self-sufficient by developing the sugar, rice and wheat industries.
• In the area of education, there were significant developments. Hundreds of elementary, middle and high schools were built in urban and rural areas. Bhutto rejected Western systems of education and Western books. Islamic Studies was made compulsory.

The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, the list is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.

Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.

[20 marks]