[1] This marked the beginning of a decade-long two-party system between the left-wing PPP and right-wing IJI and its successor the Pakistan Muslim League (N).

The PPP was able to form a government with other left-wing parties, including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), with Bhutto becoming the first female Prime Minister in a Muslim country.

However, amid violence and civil disorder, Chief of Army Staff General Zia-ul-Haq ousted the prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in a military coup on 5 June, code-named Operation Fair Play.

Martial law was lifted in 1985 when non-partisan and technocratic elections were held, resulting in Mohammad Junejo, a Sindhi lord, being appointed prime minister.

On 29 May 1988, the National Assembly which was elected in 1985 was dissolved prematurely by Zia, who also dismissed Junejo and the rest of his cabinet asserting that the 'administration was corrupt and inefficient'.

The conservatives under Sharif on other hand campaigned upon expanding the industrialisation and privatisation program; The liberal Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) did not formally contest the elections, but several of its members ran as independents.