First Zulfikar Ali Bhutto government

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

The First Zulfikar Ali Bhutto government in Pakistan lasted from August 14, 1973, to March 30, 1977. It was led by Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto while Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry was the president. The 1973 Constitution re-established Pakistan as a parliamentary democracy, and Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party held a majority in the National Assembly (85 of 146 seats). The government ran in two cabinets: the First Bhutto Cabinet (1973–1974) and the Second Bhutto Cabinet (1974–1977) after a reshuffle in October 1974. Bhutto, who had previously served as President from 1971 to 1973, was sworn in as prime minister on August 14, 1973, after winning 108 votes in a 146-member house.

During its five years, the government carried out broad reforms and moved toward socialist economic policies, including widespread nationalization of industries. These reforms were popular with many people but also led to civil unrest and increased opposition by 1977. The First Bhutto government ended when general elections were held in 1977, after which Bhutto continued as the head of the next government.