Although Bhutto's declared policy of Islamic socialism…

Although Bhutto's declared policy of Islamic socialism brings few tangible changes, his populism is undeniably successful.

He becomes increasingly autocratic, however, suppressing criticism, jailing opponents, and using militant methods against the restive Pashtuns and Balochis.

The National Assembly approves a new constitution on April 10, 1973, and promulgates it Independence Day, August 14.

Although Bhutto campaigned in 1970 for the restoration of a parliamentary system, by 1972 he preferred a presidential system with himself as president.

However, in deference to the wishes of the opposition and some in his own cabinet, Bhutto accepts a formal parliamentary system in which the executive is responsible to the legislature.

Supposedly, in the interests of government stability, provisions are also included that make it almost impossible for the National Assembly to remove the prime minister.

The 1973 constitution provides for a federal structure in which residuary powers are reserved for the provinces.

However, Bhutto dismisses the coalition NAP-JUI ministries in Balochistan and the North- West Frontier Province, revealing his preference for a powerful center without opposition in the provinces.

India and Pakistan reach an agreement in August on the release of Pakistani prisoners-of-war and the exchange of hostage populations in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh-especially of the Bengalis in Pakistan and the Biharis in Bangladesh.

Bhutto proceeds cautiously in the field of land reform and does not fulfill earlier promises of distributing land to the landless on the scale he had promised, as he is forced to recognize and to cultivate the sociopolitical influence of landowners.

However, he does not impede the process of consolidation of tenancy rights and acquisition of mid-sized holdings by servicemen.

Punjab is the vital agricultural region of Pakistan; it remains a bastion of support for the government.

Bhutto specifically targets the powerful and privileged Civil Service of Pakistan (CSP) and introduces measures of administrative reform with the declared purpose of limiting the paternalistic power of the bureaucracy.

The CSP, however, has played the role of guardian alongside the army since independence.

Many of its members react badly to Bhutto's politicizing appointments, for which patronage seems a more important criterion than merit or seniority.