Early Measures

The Death of Bhutto

● Dilemma - Bhutto had appointed Zia Chief of Army Staff previously, danger of being
accused as disloyal if given severe puishment
● On the other hand, army officers thought Zia was not a capable leader so he wanted to
deal with Bhutto firmly
● Bhutto released in July then rearrested on 3rd September when it became plain he
would resume political activity. Charged with murdering a political opponent through FSF
along with 3 others
● Trial took 2 years and Bhutto was sentenced to death and hanged on 4 April 1979. Zia
chose not show him leniency in order to appear as a strong ruler

Balochistan
● Declared amnesty (pardon) for those willing to give up arms and end the rebellion
● Tried to establish good relations between Balochi tribal leaders and government
● Started development projects in Balochistan

Accountability
● Disbanded ther FSF to show end of Bhutto’s political oppression and because it was
unpopular
● Started a corruption investigation of Bhutto’s government to discredit him. Was able to
find evidence of corruption by Bhutto supporters in both civil services and legal system

Islamization
● Postponed elections indefinitely to remain in power as chief of army staff and keep PPP
out. Said Pakistan needed a strong government with Islamic values to restore order. This
was beneficial for Zia because:
● Counter ideology for Bhutto’s socialist beliefs
● Win support of religious political parties such as JI which was influential
● To win support of the west by acting against Russians in Afghanistan. He said he was
fighting from a pro-islamic stance
● Introduced a Federal Shariat Court in 1979 to assess laws and decide whether they
were in line with Islamic principles. The court has five judges, three ulema and a
chairman. It had power to repeal laws that were decided to be unislamic, such as stoning
to death for adultery. Was also the court of appeal for lower courts
Introduced Hudood Ordinance in 1977 for acts of gambling, drinking, theft and adultery under
islamic laws. Also introduced laws affecting women and offence for disrespect of Holy Prophet
PBUH. Introduced the Council of Islamic Ideology for advice on legal framework.

1. The Offence against Property Ordinance

2. The Offence of Zina Ordinance
3. The Offence of Qazaq Ordinance
4. The Prohibition Ordinance

Islamic socio-economic reforms:

● Zakat ordinance introduced in 1984 imposed 2.5% wealth tax on a certain amount of
savings. This money was given to Zakat committees in villages and towns to be
distributed to the poor
● Shia muslims protested, said this should be voluntary, and organized a huge
demonstration. They were then exempted from the Zakat tax
● Ushr ordinance imposed 5% tax on agricultural income, which was given to the poor as
Zakat
● Islamiat and Pakistan studies made compulsory for schools and colleges
● Candidates who took the Pakistan Civil Service exam were given extra marks for Quran
memorization by heart
● Radio Pakistan introduced Arabic courses and a daily news bulletin was presented in
Arabic on TV

The Position of Women

Introduced a series of reforms that some felt undermined advances in women’s rights.
Opponents argued his policies favoured men over women even though Islam grants equal rights
to both.
● Women were encouraged to stay at home. A 1981 consensus showed only 5.6% women
were employed in comparison to 72.4% men
● Hudood Ordinance and Qanun e Shahadat gave women’s testimony only half the weight
of a man’s
● In comparison, he also took measures to increase female representation
● Inducted 20 female members in Majlis e Shura
● Increased their representation in NA in 1985 by doubling female quota to 20%
● Despite this, female academic organizations such as the Women’s Action Forum
protested his treatment of women but had limited effect.