She returned in 1986 and—influenced by Thatcherite economics—transformed the PPP’s platform from a socialist to a liberal one, before leading it to victory in the 1988 election. As Prime Minister, her attempts at reform were stifled by conservative and Islamist forces, including President Ghulam Ishaq Khan and the powerful military. Her administration was accused of corruption and nepotism and dismissed by Khan in 1990. Intelligence services rigged that year’s election to ensure a victory for the conservative Islamic Democratic Alliance (IJI), at which point Bhutto became Leader of the Opposition.
During her tenure, Bhutto focused on social development, including efforts to improve education, health care, and women’s empowerment. She also sought to modernize Pakistan’s economy and maintain a balance in foreign relations. However, her governments faced criticism over allegations of corruption and political instability, which ultimately led to her dismissal from office twice by the presidents of Pakistan.
