Pakistan and Bangladesh, both our neighboring countries are in the grip of similar political condition rather much literally addressed then could be called as crisis. The politics in both countries are controlled by their respective armies taking into no consideration the concept of democracy.
The army is not alone responsible for political instability in the two countries. Politicians, intolerance of their opponents, their indifference to the plight of their masses also contribute to the root cause of instability.
The politicians of both the countries share the same political orientation provided to them by the Muslim League during the Pakistan movement from 1940 to 1947 and then after the creation of Pakistan till 1971 when it’s eastern wing broke away to become Bangladesh. Between 1940 and 1947, the Muslim League carried on its movement through obscurantist Mullahs only to create hatred from Hindus. Their politics were confined to drawing rooms. Thus they shut themselves out from the problems and aspi-rations of the common man. The military overthrew political leadership and imposed martial law in October 1958. The launch of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) took out political campaigning from drawing rooms. They related to the people's problems and aspirations. It was after this that the party's manifesto promised food, clothing and shelter to poor people. But that turned out to be a fraud on the people.
Soon after the 1965 India-Pak war in which Pakistan had left East Pakistan undefended street protests started and became a massive movement against Pakistan. Both Mr. Bhutto and Sheikh Mujib had a Muslim League background and had an opportunity to give a new direction to their countries (Pakistan and Bangladesh) but Bhutto failed to keep his promises to the masses. He was more interested in using his newly acquired political power for his personal advantage against his opponents. He created a 1ST political Cell. Although Mr. Bhutto completed his Government's five-year term yet he failed to strengthen democracy and stand up to the people's expectations. There was public jubilation when General Zia-ul-Haq overthrew his Government
In Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman could not lay the firm foundations of democracy although Bengalis' revolt against Pakistan was because of denial of democracy. When Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated on August 15, 1975 by a section of Army men, the world was stunned but there was very little public reaction in Bangladesh. A long spell of Generals' rule followed. His daughter Sheikh Hasina revived the Awami League but she could not tolerate Bangladesh National Party (BNP) leader Khaleda. Each ruled Bangladesh twice. But both of them tried to pull down the other party's Government. The result was that they ignored common man's problems while the jehadi elements thrived.
Virtually, the Army is ruling Bangladesh while the two ladies are in jail on corruption charges.In Pakistan, too, the Army took advantage of the feud between Ms.Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif and grabbed power.