ECOSOC I Adam McMahon (Deputy Chair) MY-MUNOFS VI Feb 28 Mar 01 2015
Introduction: Pakistan is a country that continuously finds itself caught up in the middle of a lot of tricky situations as it faces issues relating to is geographical location next to countries such as Iran and Afghanistan that have been swept up amidst oil disputes, terrorism, and international war. Pakistan was established as a country in 1947. It reformed to an Islamic Republic 1956 and then faced more change in 1971 when East Pakistan became the separate state of Bangladesh. It has faced constant problems and instability in it's government which is greatly influenced by the western states interested in Pakistan s oil and location. On top of this Pakistan faces problems with many corrupt officials which greatly affect their ability to react to problems and issues leaving many democratic values unfulfilled. In addition to the constant fear and struggle they face with terrorist organizations such as the Taliban.
General Overview of Topic: Democracy is not heavily implemented due to a few factors. Corruption plays a big role as many officials and companies aim to gain profit and power, which does not help with the economy and does not allow the government to have coherent, independent and unified ideas. The regular coups and exchanges from a democratic bureaucracy to a military dictatorship back and forth does not allow the government to plan for long term scenarios, reduces stability and weakens the government. It also creates chaos and uncertainty within the country. Another factor also includes illiteracy in the country which hampers democratic development. This does not allow for a equal and intelligent selection of potential candidates for the government. The terrorists residing in Pakistan also are an issue as it threatens the safety, stability of the government and also somewhat influences it.
Key Terms Defined (1): Democracy: A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. Although this is technically what Pakistan is categorized under there is much improvement to be made to embody true democratic values. Illiberal/Pseudo Democracy: A partial democracy in which elections take place, but the citizens of the country are greatly cut off from information and lack common civil liberties, the people in such countries are neither free nor not free. This is what Pakistan faces and ultimately the problem at hand. Illiteracy: The inability to read or write; over 54% of Pakistani people cannot read or write even though the government s constitutions states that it will provide quality education to children aged 5-16, which is evidently not the case
Key Terms Defined (2): Corruption: Dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery of government officials. This led to the many exchanges in power from a true democracy to military lead to everything in between and continues to affect the development in Pakistan. Coup also (coup d'état): A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government, often performed by a countries military in order to restore stability but more often by a dictator or other figure. Taliban, Al Qaeda, ISIS: Various groups of Islamic extremists that use international terror in the name of their causes. Terrorists: Pakistan has many terrorists embodying jihadist ideals, creating constant fear among the nation.
Political History of Pakistan: (1) Pakistan became a country on August 14th, 1947, to form the largest Muslim state in the world at that time. It was created based on the need by Indian Muslims to have their own homeland. Pakistan was split into two parts, The east wing is on the Bay of Bengal bordering India and Burma, but is now the state of Bangladesh. The west wing stretches from the Himalayas down to the Arabian Sea and includes Pakistan. East broke from the East in 1971, winning a war of independence (with help from India).
Political History of Pakistan: (2) There were many transitions between civilian and military bureaucracy, which did not help with the stability of the government and country. Many turnovers of government (at least 14) due to military overthrow, dismissal by Presidents, resignations or assassinations have let to much political instability. Pakistan faces conflict with neighboring India over disputed Kashmir, it s own problems with corruption, overpopulation, and jihadists creating many terrorism threats. Pakistan is the sixth most populated country in the world with a population of over 180 million people, and is the 26 th largest country. Flag of Pakistan (wikipedia.com)
Timeline (1): 1947 - Muslim state of East and West Pakistan created out of partition of India at the end of British rule. Hundreds of thousands die in widespread communal violence and millions are made homeless. 1948 - Muhammed Ali Jinnah, founding leader of Pakistan, dies. First war with India over disputed territory of Kashmir. 1951 Military Rule begins, Jinnah's successor Liaquat Ali Khan is assassinated. 1956 - Constitution proclaims Pakistan an Islamic republic. 1965 - Second war with India over Kashmir. 1970 - Victory in general elections in East Pakistan for breakaway Awami League, leading to rising tension with West Pakistan. 1971 - East Pakistan attempts to secede, leading to civil war. India intervenes in support of East Pakistan which eventually breaks away to become Bangladesh. 1973 End of military rule, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto becomes prime minister. 1977 - Riots erupt over allegations of vote-rigging by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP). General Zia ul-haq launches military coup. 1978 - General Zia becomes president, launches campaign to introduce Islamic law and usher in an Islamic system in Pakistan. 1980 - US pledges military assistance to Pakistan following Soviet intervention in Afghanistan.
Timeline (2): 1990 - Benazir Bhutto dismissed as prime minister on charges of incompetence and corruption. 1996 - President Leghari dismisses Bhutto government amid corruption allegations. 1999 April - Benazir Bhutto and her husband convicted of corruption and given jail sentences. Ms Bhutto stays out of the country. 1999 October - General Pervez Musharraf seizes power in coup. 2000 April - Nawaz Sharif sentenced to life imprisonment on hijacking and terrorism charges over his actions to prevent the 1999 coup. 2001 June - Gen Pervez Musharraf names himself president while remaining head of the army. 2001 September - Musharraf swings in behind the US in its fight against terrorism and supports attacks on Afghanistan. US lifts some sanctions imposed after Pakistan's nuclear tests in 1998. 2002 August - President Musharraf grants himself sweeping new powers, including the right to dismiss an elected parliament. 2004 June - Pakistan mounts first military offensive against suspected Al-Qaeda militants and their supporters in tribal areas near Afghan border. US begins using drone strikes to target Al- Qaeda leaders in the area. 2007 February - Sixty-eight passengers are killed by bomb blasts and a blaze on a train travelling between the Indian capital New Delhi and the Pakistani city of Lahore. 2007 October - Ex-prime minister Benazir Bhutto returns from exile. Dozens of people die in a suicide bomb targeting her homecoming parade in Karachi.
Timeline (3): 2008 September - MPs elect Pakistan People's Party's (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari - the widower of assassinated former PM Benazir Bhutto - president. 2009 November - President Asif Ali Zardari hands control of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal to PM Yousuf Raza Gilani, in apparent attempt to ease political pressure. 2010 April - Parliament approves package of wide-ranging constitutional reforms. Measures include transferring key powers from office of president to prime minister. 2012 June - Supreme Court disqualifies Prime Minister Gilani from holding office after he declines to appeal against a token sentence in President Zardari corruption row. Parliament approves Water and Power Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf as his successor. 2013 January - Supreme Court orders the arrest of Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf over corruption allegations dating back to his time as a minister in 2010. He denies wrongdoing.
India: For quite some time there has been a lot of conflict, sometimes war, between Pakistan and India caused by terrorist attacks and the constant change in power, and both claiming Kashmir. Having a constant and stable democratic government could very well bring peace between the two nations. Major Parties Involved: Pakistan: The entire state, its people and institutions. The United States of America/Russia: The U.S.A. and Russia have also involved themselves in this due to the fact that they are the main parties behind the oil competitions concerning the region, benefitting from this development. Russia had invaded neighboring Afghanistan for nine years from 1979, and the USA invaded and warred there since 2001.
UN Involvement: Currently the United Nations had not made any major interventions and has not passed any resolutions regarding the issue of promoting democratic political development in Pakistan, however the situation in Pakistan is currently back to a democracy and without any intervention to subdue the terrorism and corruption it will most definitely fall back to a disruptive military rule once again.
Possible Solutions 1. stabilize the region and bring an end to terrorist activities in the area to allow the government to refocus it s priorities and reform on it s own. 2. international intervention to get rid of the terrorist groups 3. UN experts to help reform the system to eradicate corruption in it s government 4. assist Pakistan becoming a true democracy through the insertion of assistance teams and programs of democracy education for the population 5. send peacekeepers in to subdue the terrorists 6. however any of these solutions would totally impeach upon the sovereignty of Pakistan and require their welcome receptance
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