rd

3 MARTIAL LAW IN PAKISTAN

July 1977
CAIE learning Objectives:
• How successful were the policies of Zia-ul-Haq, 1977–88?
• Why was he assassinated?

Specified contents:
• the Islamisation program
• overview of the constitutional and Islamic legal position of
women and ethnic and religious minorities
• law and government, elections and issues of martial law
and the Eighth Amendment
• problems facing Zia, his assassination
• the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, 1979.
THE MINISTRY OF GENERAL M. ZIA UL HAQ
1977-1988

DOMESTIC
POLICIES
 ZIA’s DOMESTIC POLICIES

1. INITIAL STEPS
5. AMENDMENTS IN CONSTITUTION

2. SECURING HIS
POSITION 6. ISLAMIZATION
(the process of a society’s shift towards Islam)

3. BALUCHISTAN
INSURGENCY
7. ECONOMIC REFORMS,

4. MAJLIS SHOURA
(PARLIAMENT)
 1. INITIAL STEPS
Suspended Constitution 1973 and imposed PCO. Restricted
Civil courts, announced elections within 90 days.
Z.A.Bhutto executed after a murder trial. Strict
censorship was imposed on media.
Why was Bhutto executed
Bhutto’s policies were criticized by Islamic circles and due to
this he received great opposition. Due to the nuclear power What was Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) enforced by Zia?
program and creating unity among the Muslim block, he got
resistance from western block too. In March 1980, Zia imposed the temporary order while the constitution of the
country was suspended. The PCO took away the rights of the courts to
Bhutto was too powerful and he used FSF to control the challenge any political executive action. When 19 Supreme Court and High
political opponents. He was involved in a murder case of his court judges protested they were removed from their jobs and replaced with
political opponent and accused that he sent FSF to kill him, judges who accepted the orders.
later he was proved guilty by the court.

Zia wanted to prolong his rule in Pakistan.

 2. SECURING HIS POSITION

Disbanded FSF and replaced civilians with military officers

to make his position firm.
 3. BALUCHISTAN INSURGENCY

Gen Zia stopped the army operation in Baluchistan (started by

Bhutto) and announced a general amnesty (pardon) to all
those who had taken up arms against the government, also
started plan for economic growth of the province. The unrest
ended.
 4. MAJLIS E SHOURA (PARLIAMENT)

Democratic structure of the government destroyed, formed technocratic Majlis e

Shoura (parliament consisting professionals), had no political power.

Through referendum results, made himself president, lifted Martial Law after
nonparty elections.

A powerless assembly with a powerless Prime Minister Junejo formed after the
election.
 5. AMENDMENTS IN CONSTITUTION
The 8th Amendment
Made many changes in constitution before lifting up ML in 1985. Majlis-e-Shoora made 8th
amendment in the Constitution of Pakistan, through that the President was given the right to
nominate the Prime Minister, Governors of the provinces, and Judges of the High Court and
Supreme Court, including the Chief Justice. Democratically elected Prime Minister thus
became subservient to the President.
The 8th Amendment empowered the President to dissolve the National Assembly, dismiss the
prime minister and provincial governments, and order them to seek a fresh election. This
amendment changed the system of governance from parliamentary democracy to presidential
and made elected prime minister powerless.
constitution became semi presidential from democratic.
 6. ISLAMIZATION
(the process of a society’s shift towards Islam)

Reasons of introducing Islamic reforms

To counter Bhutto’s ideology, made him unpopular and proof that Zia
himself was a better leader than Bhutto and working according to
Pakistan’s Islamic Ideology.
To strengthen and prolong his rule by gaining support from people of
Pakistan on the name of Islam.
To get support from capitalist and Islamic countries and made his rule
acceptable.
Riba (interest) free banking: interest payments were to be
Federal Shariat Court
replaced by "profit and loss" accounts . (the calculation
to judge legal cases using Islamic laws.
remained same)

The women testimony was considered as

ushar Ordinances: half as compare to man and the number of Zakat ordinance:
Usher was witnesses was increased to four to prove a 2.5% wealth tax,
collected from the case. collected from the bank
yield of agriculture. accounts on first day of
Ramazan . Different
ISLAMIC REFORMS sects protested against
this zakat system.
Hudood Ordinances:
An effort towards Islamic System of Justice and it was the
first time in Pakistan’ history that such laws were
The council of Islamic Ideology:
implemented was according to Quran and Sunnah and its
To recommend laws conforming
punishments are according to Islamic teachings. It was
to Quran and Sunnah to
implemented on drinking liquor, adultery, theft and qazaf
the Parliament and Provincial Assemblies.
(false allegation). Actual Islamic punishments like
amputation of hands, stone to death were never given. Only
stripes (lashes) were given which faced huge criticism from
all over the world.

Promotion of Arabic language.
Daily telecast of Arabic news from
Government owned PTV, Arabic
made compulsory till grade 8.
An Ehtram-e-Ramazan (re
verence for fasting)
Ordinance was issued
banning eating, smoking,
and drinking in public
places during fasting
hours.
Reorientation of education policy,
removed Un-Islamic material, made
Paksitan Studies, Urdu and Islamiat
compulsory till graduation. 5% extra
marks to be given for Hafiz e Quran in
CSS examination.
Madrassas expanded .
Increased in numbers,
received funding from
Zakat councils and
provided free religious
training, room and board.
CONCLUSION
He made symbolic changes but he
couldn’t change the entire system.
May laws were the paper practice
only. It created sectarian differences The order for women to
and extremism and received great cover their heads while in
criticism from human and women’s public. Women's
rights organization. participation in sports and
the performing arts was
restricted. Attempts were
made to enforce praying of
salat five times a day.
 What was Hudood Ordinance?
Part of Zia’s Islamisation program, 1977 onwards, including Offences against
Property, Zina, Qafq and Prohibition Ordinances. Islamic punishments for
gambling, drinking, theft and adultery, e.g. amputation of right hand for theft
and 80 stripes of the cane for drinking alcohol. 1980 Zakat Ordinance imposed
a 2.5% wealth tax to be given to the poor, Ushr Ordinance 5% tax on
agricultural income which supported Zakat. (CAIE Marking scheme)
 7. ECONOMIC REFORMS,

Denationalization of industries caused increase in industrialization and attracted foreign and

local investors.
Pakistan supported Western and Islamic world in Afghan Soviet war also named as ‘Afghan
Miracle’ for Pakistan, Islamic and capitalist countries provided aid to Pakistan and opened visas
for Pakistanis caused great influx of foreign exchange.

Remittances: Due to the successful foreign policy, Pakistan provided a large work force to the
Middle East and western countries. It caused large flow of foreign currency to Pakistan.
GNP growth increased by 7%, highest in the world.
THE MOST IMPORTANT AND SUCCESSFUL
DOMESTIC POLICY OF ZIA?

The economic reforms that causes

GNP growth increased by 7%,
HIGHEST IN THE WORLD.
 CAIE past papers questions 2013-2020

(a) Describe the Zakat Ordinance. June 2019

(a) What were the Hudood Ordinances? Nov 2013
(b)Why did Zia-ul-Haq introduce his package of Islamic laws between 1979 and 1988? June2008, 2011
(c) Was the promotion of Islamic values the most important achievement of General Zia-ul-Haq’s domestic
policies between 1977 and 1988? Explain your answer. Nov 2014
(c) ‘Economic reforms were the most important of Zia-ul-Haq’s domestic policies between 1977 and 1988.’ Do
you agree? Give reasons for your answer. Nov 2012
 NEXT TOPIC (Lesson 2)

FOREIGN POLICY

DOWNFALL