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The '''Pakistani Revolution of 1968''' brought down the military dictatorship which had ruled Pakistan for 11 years and saw a brief window into the possibility of a democracy and even land reform. But, the movement was somewhat co-opted by another military dictator who continued to repress the country. The revolution was part of a wider wave of revolts across the world in the [[Revolutions of 1967 - 1975|late 1960s and early 1970s]]. | The '''Pakistani Revolution of 1968''' was a [[Timeline of Libertarian Socialism in Southern Asia|six-month long wave of unrest]] in [[Pakistan]] that brought down the military dictatorship which had ruled Pakistan for 11 years and saw a brief window into the possibility of a democracy and even land reform. But, the movement was somewhat co-opted by another military dictator who continued to repress the country. The revolution was part of a wider wave of revolts across the world in the [[Revolutions of 1967 - 1975|late 1960s and early 1970s]]. | ||
== Background == | == Background == | ||
Revision as of 23:52, 30 April 2020
The Pakistani Revolution of 1968 was a six-month long wave of unrest in Pakistan that brought down the military dictatorship which had ruled Pakistan for 11 years and saw a brief window into the possibility of a democracy and even land reform. But, the movement was somewhat co-opted by another military dictator who continued to repress the country. The revolution was part of a wider wave of revolts across the world in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Background
Since independence from the British Empire in 1947, Pakistan had only seen 1 election (in 1947) and had otherwise been ruled by dictators that presided over a corrupt and unequal country which had a small welfare state and little rights for workers. After the revolutions of the late 1960s and early 1970s, many people began to turn this into anger.
Events
Mobilisation began by socialist and liberal organisers in 1967, mainly by the unemployed and students, with some students burning their degrees in protests. After many protest marches were held, police opened fire on one and killed 3 people, leading to an eruption in strikes, refusal to pay public transport fares, more protests, road blockades which paralysed the capital city and even the execution of landlords and seizure of land by peasants. Police officers who attacked protesters were also frequently killed.
Results
After months of protests and violence, in March 1969 the army defected from the government and demanded the presidents resignation, who complied and handed power to the army chief who promised elections in 1970. But he soon became another military dictator who presided over repression and a brutal colonial war in Bangladesh.
References
Global Nonviolent Action Database - https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/pakistani-students-workers-and-peasants-bring-down-dictator-1968-1969