NATIONAL AWAMI PARTY NATURE AND DIRECTION OF POLITICS 1957-1975 – AN ACCOUNT OF THE LEFT AND PROGRESSIVE POLITICS IN PAKISTAN

This work explains the history, formation and orientation of the defunct Pakistan National Awami Party (NAP) from 1957 to 1975. NAP espoused a socialist and progressive approach in politics and gained considerable grass-roots support in both the wings of Pakistan. This book provides clues of the colonial legacy and post-1947 developments which restructured the trends of progressive politics in Pakistan. It analyzes the dynamics of progressive politics within the NAP framework as it had absorbed communist, progressive and ethno-nationalist elements in its fold. Most of its leaders had been blamed for their extra-territorial loyalties and links with Soviet Union, China, India and Afghanistan. This book candidly investigates such connections to better understand various standpoints.

Another remarkable feature of this study is a detailed account of the role NAB (Bhashani) played in mobilizing the masses to join hands with the Bangladesh Liberation Struggle in 1971. In addition, the book explores NAP’s role in the 1964-65 presidential election, division of the party in 1969, NAP (Wali)’s role in the 1971 crisis, ministry formation in NWFP & Balochistan, Pashtunistan issue, and differences with Z. A. Bhutto which led to the banning of the party in 1975.