ZIA-UL-HAQ (1977-88)

Q. Why was ZAB executed in 1979?

 When Zia released Bhutto from prison for a short period of time ZAB tried to reassert his
authority by gaining support of the people this was a threat to the rule of Zia thus ZAB
was executed to eliminate this threat
 Bhutto along with three others were accused of murdering a political opponent by
sending FSF to kill him the trial which took 2 years resulted in Bhutto being guilty and
being sentenced to death by the court
 Bhutto had threatened Zia that he would charge him with tempering with the
constitution of 1973 this could result in Zia getting considerable punishment under
article 6 of the constitution thus he got Bhutto executed in order to avoid such an insult

Q. Why did Zia introduce Islamic reforms?

 Bhutto introduced some socialist reforms e.g nationalization of industries since

there is no room for any religion in socialism thus Zia introduced Islamic reforms to
prove that he was a better leader than Bhutto as he was working in accordance of
Islamic ideology
 Zia was aware that many Islamic Political parties like JEI were influential in both
army and civil service thus he introduced Islamic reforms to strengthen his
government by getting their support
 When Russians invaded Afghanistan in !(79, Zia decided to fight against the pagan
communist, but he needed the support of Muslim countries for his Jihad in
Afghanistan thus he introduced Islamic reforms to prove that he was a pure Islamic
leader of a Muslim country

DOMESTIC REFORMS

ISLAMIZATION POLICY

 During Zia’s time, the Hudood Ordinance was introduced in 1979 according to which,
Islamic punishments were introduced for different crimes. These included the cutting of
right hand for theft and lashes for adultery etc. Due to the strictness of the
punishments, people avoided doing such crimes, which greatly reduced the crime rate.
This also strengthened Zia’s government because the Ulemas fully supported this
decision as they believed that it was a major step to make Pakistan a pure Islamic state.
 …However, the amputation of hand and other punishments were never
implemented thus failing the main purpose. Similarly, the punishment for adultery
although mostly remained on paper but where partially implemented, had an
 adverse effect on women in the male-dominating Pakistani society as no difference
was kept between adultery and rape.
 Zia established a Federal Shariat Court to see if the laws were according to
Islamic principles. This ensured the presence of Islam-based judiciary. Since
people were given justice according to Islamic principles, this made Zia popular
within Muslim circles.
 The government announced that twenty extra marks would be given to ‘huffaz’ in Civil
Service examination. This greatly encouraged people to learn their Holy Book i.e. the
Holy Quran, which promoted Islam.
 …However, no alternative was provided to non- Muslim minorities to gain such extra
marks which created a feeling of resentment in the minorities who believed that Zia’s
government ignored their basic rights.
 During Zia’s rule, Radio Pakistan started Arabic courses and a daily news bulletin
was carried out in Arabic. As a result, people inclined towards Quran, which too
was in Arabic.
 The Zakat Ordinance was introduced which imposed 2.5% tax on savings. Zakat
committees were established which ensured proper collection & distribution of wealth
among the poor to fulfill their basic needs. Thus, this greatly helped in the proper
observance of a basic pillar of Islam and weaker section of the society was also taken
care of.
 However, Shia Muslims protested that this tax wasn’t due on them and therefore,
they were exempted by the government. This promoted sectarianism and
discrimination, which led to disparity within Pakistani society.

ECONOMIC POLICY

 Zia denationalized the industries taken over by Bhutto’s government. The industries
were sold to the private sector which reduced burden from the government as most of
these were ‘sick’ industries with low output.
 …Also, laws were passed to ensure that the government would never nationalize them
in future. Thus, the trust of the investors was restored and so the private investment
increased.
 During Zia’s rule, Pakistan contributed the largest workforce in the Middle East. The
labor abroad sent almost 3.5-4 billion$ to Pakistan annually in the form of remittances.
This was the biggest single source of foreign exchange earnings and thus boosted
Pakistan’s economy.
 He introduced 8th amendment in the 1973 Constitution which guaranteed extensive
powers for the president. This meant that now he could even dismiss the Prime
minister along with his cabinet. This made Zia a strong ruler whose authority could
not be challenged.
 …However, the presidents misused this power too often in future and dismissed the
elected governments e.g. president Ghulam Ishaq Khan dismissed Benazir Bhutto’s
 govt. in 1990 and Nawaz Sharif’s government in 1993. Thus, political instability
increased in the country because of this amendment.

LAW AND GOVERNMENT

 Although at first Zia promised to make judiciary impartial, however he soon

tightened his grip on it by introducing military courts as well as provisional
constitutional order (PCO) where judges were to take oath according to PCO and
could not give a decision against Zia’s government.
 He also decided that fixed number of military officials would be transferred to Civil
Service Academy each year. This helped to strengthen his rule because now he had his
supporters in civil bureaucracy as well.
 He established an Islamic parliament “Majlis-e-Shura”. However it was not an effective
assembly as it did not have any law making authority and its role was purely advisory.
But it did help Zia to strengthen his rule as members of this parliament supported him
wholeheartedly.

FOREIGN POLICY

 In Dec. 1979, the USSR invaded Afghanistan. Pakistan agreed to help the US against
the USSR. The US aided Pakistan in training the mujahedeen for them to fight in
Afghanistan and also gave extensive amount of aid and loans which strengthened
Pakistan’s economy and defense. Thus, due to the ‘Afghan Miracle’ Pak USA relations
improved as they protected each other’s interests.
 …Also, Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan improved as Pakistan was working for
their survival and gave shelter to over 3 million Afghan refugees who fled to
Pakistan to escape the war.