Pervez Musharraf's Era

On October 12, 1999 Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff displaced Mian Nawaz Sharif from Prime Minsiter's office and became de facto Head of the government. The reason for that was Nawaz Sharif tried to make ISI chief Ziauddin Butt the army while Musharraf was in Sri Lanka and also forcing the PIA flight carrying Musharraf to land in Mumbai instead of Karachi. That day marked the start of a new era for Pakistan, democracy was crippled and marshall-law ruled again.

The dismissal of Nawaz Sharif was welcomed the people of Pakistan. The entire nation celebrated the removal of a corrupt leader who had completely destroyed the Pakistan economy which grew by a very slow rate of 1.2% during his tenure.

General Musharraf changed the foreign policy of Pakistan, his aim was to have to healthy relations with the Indians which was heavily criticized by the religious groups in Pakistan but welcomed by the international community.

Musharraf took the office of the president on 20th June, 2001. Three months late his biggest test came and he decided to support the US in the war against terror because he had no other choice. This decision had its pros and cons for Pakistan.

Huge economic growth took place during Musharraf's time. Nawaz Sharif left Pakistan in a dismal state with only $ 1 billion in the foreign reserves, 65% of our GDP was subjected to loan and our stock market reeling at 1000 points. By 2008 Pakistan's foreign reserves had risen to $16.5 billion. GDP grew at a staggering rate of 7% per annum, KSE broke the world record by moving to 13000 points and only 28% of the GDP was subjected to loan. Pakistan economy rose to $ 160 million from 70 million in 1999. Investment rose to $ 6 billion per annum. Public sector development grew to rs 520 billion in 2007 from 80 billion in 1999. The Infrastructure Industries Index measures the growth at 26.8%. Poverty was at 34.7% in 2001 but it feel to 23.1% in 2005 according to a economic survey in 2005. Pakistan ranked 3rd in banking profitability according to IMF during Musharraf's era. 35% of the GDP was saved for developmental works during Musharraf's era as compared to 4% during Sharif's era. IT industry which was non-existent 10 years back, grew to the worth of $ 2 billion in which $ 1 billion was export related. Due to this very economic growth Pakistan was able to resist a huge shock that came in the shape of 2005 Earthquake.

Massive development took place during the space of 10 years. Huge projects like Makran coastal highway, M3, Gawadar port, Sundar industrial state, Qasim port, Chashma Nuclear power plant, renovation of mangla and tarbela dam.

Similar was the case in the education sector where the number of private sector institutions grew by 100% as compared to 1999. The total number of educational institutes rose to 245,682. Literacy rate increased to 53% in 2007 as compared to 45% in 2002. Nine engineering and technology universities were set up during his time

Musharraf introduced the local government system which allowed people to easily access the government and this system really flourished. The biggest example is Karachi whose mayor was voted the 2nd best mayor of the world

Media was given full liberty by President Musharraf. News channel were free to criticize or praise anyone they wanted to. They emphasised on the problems that the people faced and helped the government in solving issued. Free media played a very important role in exposing different politicians and other elements which had done nothing for Pakistan. But too much liberation resulted in too much negativity.