Led briefly by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan struggled after independence in 1948 due to a lack of preparedness to rule, strong Islamic fundamentalism, and widespread impoverishment. In 1972, Pakistan divided as East Pakistan became Bangladesh. Pakistan has experienced political instability including multiple prime ministers and military dictators being ousted from power due to corruption charges or being seen as power hungry. Major ongoing issues for Pakistan include terrorism, the Kashmir dispute, nuclear weapons, and tensions between modernizers and fundamentalists.

1.  Led briefly byLed briefly by
Muhammad Ali Jinnah.Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
 Dangerous combinationDangerous combination
 Was not preparedWas not prepared
to rule in 1948.to rule in 1948.
 Strong IslamicStrong Islamic
fundamentalism.fundamentalism.
 Impoverished.Impoverished.
 Pakistan divides in 1972Pakistan divides in 1972
 W. Pakistan = PakistanW. Pakistan = Pakistan
 E. Pakistan = BangladeshE. Pakistan = Bangladesh
PakistanPakistan
EarlyEarly

2. 1971 EAST PAKISTAN BECOMES BANGLADESH!1971 EAST PAKISTAN BECOMES BANGLADESH!

3.  First Woman PrimeFirst Woman Prime
Minister, 1988Minister, 1988
 Unable to keepUnable to keep
control, froze foreigncontrol, froze foreign
investments/misuse ofinvestments/misuse of
funds.funds.
 Ousted in 1990, 1993Ousted in 1990, 1993
on corruption charges.on corruption charges.
 Nawaz SharifNawaz Sharif (followed Bhutto)(followed Bhutto)
 Ousted three times.Ousted three times.
 Struggle betweenStruggle between
modernizers andmodernizers and
fundamentalists.fundamentalists.
 Seen as power hungrySeen as power hungry
(kicked out Supreme(kicked out Supreme
Court Justice)Court Justice)
BenazirBhuttoBenazirBhutto

4. Assassinated when she was planning
on returning to government.
December 27,
2007

5.  Coup d’etatCoup d’etat..
 Secular government against IslamicSecular government against Islamic
fundamentalists.fundamentalists.
 U.S. ally in the “War on Terror.”U.S. ally in the “War on Terror.”
Some blame for Bhutto’s assassination… LeftSome blame for Bhutto’s assassination… Left
office under allegations of this in 2008office under allegations of this in 2008 
Replaced by Asif Ali Zardari.Replaced by Asif Ali Zardari.
Gen. Pervex MusharaffGen. Pervex Musharaff

6.  Economic development.Economic development.
 Political instability/militaryPolitical instability/military
dictatorship.dictatorship.
 Hindu-Muslim tensions.Hindu-Muslim tensions.
 Gender issuesGender issues  honorhonor
killings.killings.
Majorproblems & IssuesMajorproblems & Issues
in Pakistan todayin Pakistan today
 Terrorism.Terrorism.
 TheThe KashmirKashmir
disputedispute
Nuclear weapons.Nuclear weapons.

7. New Friends?New Friends?
Musharraf and VajpayeeMusharraf and Vajpayee
(India) at a meeting on(India) at a meeting on
nuclear issues in Nepal.nuclear issues in Nepal.