Pakistan Under Benazir Bhutto 1988-1990

Troika Rising is the first volume in veteran journalist Najam Sethi’s powerful series documenting Pakistan’s uneasy return to democracy after years of authoritarian rule. Focusing on Benazir Bhutto’s first government (1988–1990), the book captures a defining moment when elected leadership, the military, and the presidency collided in a constant struggle for power.

Through more than 100 weekly reports, commentaries, and analyses, Sethi dissects how democratic promise was undermined by conspiracy politics, corruption allegations, institutional manipulation, and invisible power structures. From rigged elections and politicized financial institutions to media pressure and judicial compromise, the book reveals how governance became hostage to intrigue rather than public interest.

The narrative brings to life key political actors of the era, including General Aslam Beg, Nawaz Sharif, and influential regional leaders from Balochistan, while also exploring foreign policy crises such as Afghanistan, Kashmir, Indo-Pak tensions, and U.S. influence. Sethi’s sharp observations expose how religion, nationalism, and security politics were weaponized, leaving democratic institutions fragile and divided.

Written with clarity, courage, and biting insight, Troika Rising is not a retrospective softened by time - it is a contemporaneous record of events as they unfolded. Essential reading for anyone seeking to understand why Pakistan’s democratic foundations remained unstable despite the return of civilian rule.

Ideal for:

• Readers of Pakistan political history
• Journalists, researchers, and students
• Anyone seeking to understand Benazir Bhutto’s first tenure
• Readers of Najam Sethi’s fearless political writing

🟢 Author Description

Najam Sethi is one of Pakistan’s most respected journalists and political analysts. Known for his fearless reporting and independent voice, he has chronicled Pakistan’s political evolution for decades. His work offers rare, insider insight into the forces shaping democracy, civil-military relations, and state power in Pakistan.

Format: Hardback