General Muhammad Zia- ul- Haq along with his companions died in a plane crash on August 17, 1988 on their way back from Bahawalpur. Thus the General Zia- ul- Haq's 11 years rule ended. Senate Chairman Ghulam Ishaq Khan immediately took over as President and resolved the leadership crisis in the country. President Ghulam Ishaq Khan held party- based elections in 1988. A large number of political parties, including the Pakistan people's party, participated in the elections. Pakistan People's Party led by Mohtarma Benzair Bhutto won in the Center, Sindh province and NWFP (Khyber Pukhtunkhwa). Thus the PPP government was formed in the Center and in the two provinces. Benzair Bhutto was sworn in as the first female Prime Minister of the Islamic world on 2nd December 1988. The Islamic Democratic Alliance formed the government in Punjab. The government of Mohtarma Benzair Bhutto was termed as the restoration of the democratic government in the true sense of the word. The details of the reforms of this period are as follows:
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Industrial Reforms
During the era of Mohtarma Benzair Bhutto, many new industries were set up in the country. The automobile and textile industries flourished.
Agricultural Reforms
The agricultural sector was developed. To increase agricultural production, loans were given to farmers on easy terms to buy seeds, fertilizers and pesticides etc.
Educational Reforms
A number of facilities were provided in educational institutions and special attention was paid to women education.
Health Reforms
Many programmes were launched to provide health facilities in urban and rural areas.