MRD
MRD or The Movement for the Restoration of Democracy, was a historically was
popular political alliance formed in 1981, against the military government of
President General Zia-ul-Haq. Directed and chaired by Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan
Peoples Party, its primary objectives and aims were to restoration of the
democracy as well as gaining the civilian control of the military.
MRD had political alliance of PPP, ANP, TeI, People's Movement, JSQM, JUI(F),
and Communist Party of Pakistan. The alliance was rooted from rural areas of
Sindh Province and remained mostly nonviolent, was strongest among supporters of
the Pakistan People's Party (PPP). Though it launched one of the most massive
nonviolent movements in South Asia since the time of Gandhi, failure to expand
beyond its southern stronghold combined with effective repression from the
military led to its demise a year and half later. Although effective in its
strategies, the alliance more quickly dissolved after the death of President
Zia-ul-Haq in 1988 which marked its way for peaceful general elections, outlined
the return of Pakistan Peoples Party in national power
In 1970s, the events leading the to success of right-wing alliance, PNA,
toppled and overthrow the government of left-oriented PPP. At the time of death
of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, nearly 3,000 PPP activists and supporters were jailed,
many of whom remained imprisoned for the next decade. President General
Zia-ul-Haq was particularly unpopular in the Sindh Province, where support for
the PPP remained relatively strong. In 1979, President General Zia-ul-Haq
announced the implementation of Islamization program and pressed his
ultraconservatism policies in the country.
Following the invasive Russian invasion of Afghanistan, President Zia
exercised more repressive policies to curb the communist influence in the
country, whilst escalating the insurgency in Pashtun-domaniated Khyber province
in Western Pakistan.[3] In response, the former rivals, ANP and CPP, decided to
opposed President Zia's actions in the country, ultimately the left-wing sphere
formed the alliance with the PPP which being the influential of all left-wing
parties. In 1981, PPP persuasively reached out to left-wing organizations in the
country and started its political function after calling the end of military
regime of President Zia-ul-Haq. At the time of the formation of the Movement for
Restoration of Democracy in 1982, the MRD alliance had launched a potent
struggle against Zia-ul Haq's rule, especially in rural Sindh.
Military force and repression was used against agitators and the movement was
crushed.[5] Despite its set backs, the MRD was significant for mounting a
political pressure on President Zia to hold the elections. Convinced that
party-based elections would not bring the "positive results" he had been talking
of, he decided to hold non-party elections in 1985. But before doing so, he
secured his election as president through a referendum.
In 1984, Benazir Bhutto and the MRD notably boycotted the 1984 presidential
referendum, following making another call for boycotting the 1985 general
elections, to be held under President Zia-ul-Haq.[6] Successfully boycotting the
1984 referendum and 1985 elections, proved to be a serious miscalculation
despite confident of enjoying huge popular support.[6] Contrary to MRD's
expectations, the voters turned to these polls were in large numbers.[6] The MRD
soon realized that it had miscalculated badly, that it should have fought the
elections on Zia’s terms.
The PML, JeI, and MQM were the only parties which contested in the election,
while the MRD boycotted the election. To a greater extent, the MRD's was hailing
from Sindh where the left-wing orientation was much stronger than any other
provinces of the country. The Communist Party, with the support from USSR, began
its political operations in Sindh and ultimately calling for civil disobedience
against the military regime.[7] In response, the communist party leader, Jam
Saki, was brought to a secret trial in Sindh High Court, later directed to
military courts.[8] The MRD had united the left-wing mass of the country and the
most prominent leaders of the MRD were: Nusrat Bhutto, her daughter Benazir
Bhutto, Rasul Bux, Abdul Wali Khan, Jam Saqi and among others. Thousands of the
activists were jailed across the country especially in Sindh
Controversy regarding the Foreign support
The foreign policy historian of Pakistan noted that MRD's one of the two
leading parties, ANP and CPP, had gained popular and financial support from the
Soviet Union in 1980s.[7] Holding a press conference in 1983, President
Zia-ul-Haq portrayed the MRD as an Indian-backed conspiracy to destabilize
Pakistan was without merit, but gained credence among some Pakistanis when
Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi endorsed the movement in an address to the
lower house of the Indian parliament.
Despite charges to the contrary, the MRD in Sindh was not attempting to
secede from Pakistan but instead was focused on the restoration of the
constitution. President Zia’s interior secretary, Roedad Khan, later wrote that
the regime was able to manipulate this perception to their advantage and prevent
the MRD from gaining greater appeal on a nationwide level.[1]
Aftermath of USSR Collapse
By 1983, the MRD effectively regained enough momentum to reassert itself and
President Zia sensed the MRD would likely choose Independence Day to renew its
offensive.[1] As a counterattack on MRD, he announced a plan for the restoration
of democracy on August 12, 1983. However, Zia’s speech elaborated merely an
intention to move toward democracy rather than any specific proposals. Details
regarding the role of the military, the 1973 constitution, and the future of
political parties were left unclear.
Furthermore, the events led to a dissolution of USSR also shattered the left
in Pakistan. The break-up of the USSR generated hopelessness and desperation in
among the communist parties.[9] Sensing the tension and desperation for survival
in the politics, Benazir Bhutto consolidated the shattered left in the country,
turning the communist mass into the principles of Social democracy. The early
1990s were a period of counter-revolutionary consciousness in Pakistan, giving
birth to the rise of fundamentalism
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