Redirecting Economic Development: Management by the PPP Left

Abstract

Dissatisfaction with the economic policies of the Ayub regime was the main reason for the PPP’s triumph in the elections of 1970. While the PPP’s electoral success played a part, it was not the most important reason for Bhutto’s ascent to power in December 1971. In the election of 1970, the PPP had been supported by a number of groups who were unhappy with Ayubian economics. These groups had no role in the selection of Bhutto as Yahya Khan’s successor. Accordingly, whereas some factions within the PPP remained responsive to the economic demands of their constituencies, Bhutto was quite content to assign a low priority to economic decision-making. The circumstances of Bhutto’s rise to power as reported by some of his close associates suggests that he was helped by a faction in the army that was not satisfied in the areas of constitution-making and foreign affairs. Therefore, while Bhutto busied himself improving Pakistan’s image abroad and providing the country with a new set of political and administrative institutions, the left within the PPP administration assumed control of economic decision-making. The left was able to assume control as it was the only faction within the party and within the new administration that had developed a programme of action. It also had the leadership that was politically acceptable to Bhutto.