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 26th 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 AlQaeda 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.
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.
•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.
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
Bibliography (1):

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
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