Imposition of Martial Law:

General Zai-ul-Haq and the army took control of Pakistan on 5 july 1977. Two days later martial law was
announced, and the assemblies were suspended. However, Zia stressed that this was only until peace
was restored. He said he hoped that within 90 days, it would be possible to hold new elections.
However. This relied on the unrest stopping, so that election campaigns could be held in a peaceful
environment. He accused Bhutto’s government of corruption and misusing government money, though
he produced no evidence for this. He also announced that Bhutto’s government had been corrupt and
that those who had been misusing government money, preventing justice and exploiting the people of
Pakistan would have to be made accountable and punished.

Early Measures:
The Death of Bhutto:

Zia’s most immediate dilemma was how to handle Bhutto’s case. The problem was particularly difficult
because it was Bhutto who had appointed Zia the Chief of Army Staff, even though he was junior to
several other generals who hoped to be pointed. So, Zia would be acting in a disloyal way if Bhutto
received a severe punishment.

Some army officers thought that Zia was not capable enough to be chief of Army Staff, so in his dealing
with Bhutto he wanted to show that he could be a determined leader. Bhutto was accused of murdering
a political opponent and sentenced to death. Zia had the power to commute the sentence to life
imprisonment, but he didn’t.

Balochistan:

Zia had inherited a rebellion in Balochistan and settled this by declaring an amnesty for all those who
were prepared to give up their arms. He tried to re-establish good relations between the Balochi tribal
leaders and the central government. He also began several development projects in the province in a bid
to improve living conditions and increase support for his rule.

Islamization:
When General Zia-ul Haq took over as the Chief Martial Law Administrator on July 5, 1977,
Islamization was given a new boost. General Zia-ul-Haq was a practicing Muslim who raised the
slogan of Islam. The Islamic sentiment has always been fully alive In Pakistan. Various governments
have used this to their benefit. There are people who doubt Zia's reasons for raising the Islamic
slogan; whether it was for political purpose to counterbalance Bhutto's appeal or was it to enforce
Islam in its true sense. In his first address to the nation, he declared that Islamic Laws would be
enforced, and that earnest attention would be devoted towards establishing the Islamic Society for
which Pakistan had been created. General Zia wanted to bring the legal, social, economic and
political institutions of the Country in conformity with the Islamic principles, values and traditions
in the light of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah and to enable the people of Pakistan to lead their
lives in accordance to Islam.
Islamic Council and Shariat Courts:
First of all, the Council of Islamic ideology and Shariat Courts were created in all high courts in
1979. Shariat court had the power to strike down any law as un-lslamic, if it violated the
fundamental laws of Islam. A Shariah council consisting of Ulema investigate the Constitutional and
legal matters the state to bring them in line with Islamic thought.

Establishment of Majlise Shoora:

Zia-ul-Haq selected his Majlis e Shoora in 1980. It was to be the Islamic Parliament and act as the
Parliament of Pakistan in place of the National Assembly. Most of the members of the Shoora were
intellectuals, scholars, Ulema, journalists, economists and professionals belonging to different
fields of life.

Islamic Punishments Hudood Ordinance:

Hudood Ordinance was promulgated in the Country, in 1977 (12 Rabbi ul Awal, 1399) for the first
time in Pakistan. According to the said Ordinance, different punishments were prescribed for
various crimes. The word 'Hadd' means the punishment which has been elaborated in the light of
the Holy Quran which meant the punishments ordained by the Holy Quran and the Sunnah on the
use of liquor, theft, adultery and Qazf.