Zia Ul Haq Regime

Shafiq Qurban
GENERAL MUHAMMAD
ZIA UL HAQ
Introduction

 Mohammad Zia al-Haq was born into a middle- class family on 12th August ,
1924, at Jullundur in East Punjab, India.
 After completing his early education at home, he enrolled at St. Stephen's College
in New Delhi, India.
 Choosing a career in the British army, he joined the Royal Indian Military
Academy in Dehra Dun .
 He served with British troops in Burma, Malaysia and Indonesia during the latter
part of World War II.
Introduction

 After the partition of sub-continent into India and Pakistan in 1947, Zia joined the
Pakistani army.
 In 1955 he graduated from the Command Staff College in Quetta.
 In 1970, Zia led a military training mission to Jordan, proving influential to
defeating the Black September insurgency against King Hussein.
 Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto appointed General Zia as Chief of Army Staff
in 1976, superseding five senior Generals.
Introduction

 Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq (August 1924 – 17 August

1988) was a Pakistani Four-Star Genera.l
 who served as the 6th President of Pakistan from 1978 until his death in
1988, after declaring martial law in 1977.
 He was Pakistan's longest-serving head of state.
Operation Fair Play

 General Zia and the army took control of Pakistan on 5 July 1977.
 Operation Fair Play was the code name for the 5 July 1977 coup by Chief of
Army Staff General Zia ul Haq.
 Zia overthrew the government of Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in a
bloodless coup, suspending the constitution and declaring martial law.
 Two days later martial law was announced and assemblies were suspended.
 According to General Zia this was only until peace was restored, he said that
within 90 days , it would be possible to hold new elections.
Martial Law
 He simultaneously imposed a censorship regime. Political activists and journalists
are arrested and flogged in public
 September 17, 1977 ZAB is arrested for “conspiracy to murder”
 October 1, 1977 Elections postponed indefinitely
 He appointed Martial law judges and Martial law Governors.
 Despite the dismissal of most of the Bhutto government, President Fazal Ilahi
Chaudhry was persuaded to continue in office and despite Zia's insistence to accept
an extension as President, Chaudhry resigned.
 Zia took the office of President of Pakistan on 16 September 1978 and became the
new President of Pakistan and retained the office of Army Chief.
Why did the Seizure of Power ?
 • 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.
• Some officers thought that Zia was not
capable enough to be army chief, so in
his dealings with Bhutto, he wanted to
show that he was a determined leader.
• Bhutto was released from arrest at the
end of July , but when he intended to
reassert his political authority, he was
rearrested on 3 September.
• Along with three others he was accused
of murdering a political opponent.
• The trial, which took nearly 2 years,
resulted in Bhutto found guilty and
Early measures(Death of Bhutto) sentenced to death.
• Bhutto was hanged on 4 April 1979
in
Pindi jail.
Islamization

1. Internal Factor
2. External Factor
Internal Factor

Nizam-e-Mustafa Tehreek
Internal Factor

1. Zia-ul-Haqcommitted himself to enforcing his interpretation of Nizam-e-Mustafa to establish

an Islamic state and enforce sharia law
2. Domestically,
Zia passed broad- ranging legislation as part of Pakistan's Islamization and
Committed to enforce Nizam-e-Mustafa.
3. Islamizationwas a sharp change from Bhutto’s slogan ROTI, KAPRA, MAKAN, In Zia's
view, socialist economics and a secular-socialist orientation served only to upset Pakistan's
natural order and weaken its moral fiber.
4. January 1, 1978 Gen Zia declares 1978 as Year of ‘Islamization’.
5. Education committee constituted to review syllabi and revise them to include an ‘Islamic
Contents’
Internal Factor

1. He expanded Madrassa, Their number grew from 893 to 2801.

2.They received funding from Zakat councils and provided free religious
training, room and board to impoverished Pakistanis.
3.In a 1979 address to the nation, Zia criticized the Western culture and
music in the country.
4.Soon afterwards, PTV, the national television network ceased playing
music videos and only patriotic songs were broadcast.
5. Establishment of International Islamic University Islamabad.
Hudood Ordinance

 New criminal offenses (of adultery, fornication, and types of blasphemy) and
new punishments (of whipping, amputation, and stoning to death), were added to
Pakistani law through replacement of parts of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC)
with the 1979 Hudood Ordinance.
 February 10, 1979, Islamic penal laws enforcing ‘Hadd’ are promulgated in
pursuance of ‘Nizam-i-Islam’.
 These include
 The Prohibition Order and the Zina Ordinance
 As well as separate laws for amputation for theft and punishment by whipping.
Zakat and Usher Ordinance

 In Pakistan, the system of compulsory collection and distribution

of Zakat and Ushr began in 1980 with an ordinance decreed by General
Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq calling for a 2.5% annual deduction from personal
bank accounts on the first day of Ramadan, with the revenue to be used for
poverty relief.
Establishment of Federal Shariat Court

 May 26, 1980 Establishment of Federal Shariat Court is announced.

 It is an appellate Shariat bench constituted at the Supreme Court level.
 Shariat benches constituted at the high court levels.
 Shariat benches could revisit any law deemed to be un-Islamic.
Interest Free Economy

 Zia publicly stated his desire to eliminate interest on loans and securities and create an
"Interest-free economy.
 Zia declared that effective 1 July 1979 the affairs of the National Investment Trust, the
House Building Finance Corporation, and the Investment Corporation of Pakistan were
to be run on an Interest-Free Basis through the adoption of Profit-Loss Sharing (PLS).
  On 1 January 1980, approximately 7,000 Interest-free Counters were opened at all the
Nationalized Commercial Banks.
 In 1981 Interest Payments were to be replaced by "Profit And Loss" accounts (Though
Profit Was Thought To Be Simply Interest By Another Name)
Prohibition Order

 "Drinking of wine" (and all other alcoholic drinks) was not a crime under the
original Pakistan Penal Code, but in 1977, the drinking and selling of wine by
Muslims was banned in Pakistan, punishable by imprisonment of six months or a
fine of Rs. 5000/-, or both.
 Under Zia's Prohibition Order, this punishment was replaced by one of whipping
of eighty stripes.
 Non-Muslims were excepted if they obtained a license to drink and manufacture
alcoholic beverages from the Government.
Introduced Nizam-e-Salat 

 Instructions were issued for regular observance of prayers and arrangements

were made for performing noon prayer (Salat Al Zuhur) in government and
quasi-government offices and educational institutions, during office hours, and
official functions, and at airports, railway stations and bus stops.
 Prayers to be offered in congregation at all government offices during working
hours.
 All offices and shops to remain shut at the time of Friday prayer.
Ramadan Ordinance

 An Ehtram-e-Ramazan (reverence for fasting) Ordinance was issued banning

eating, smoking, and drinking in public places.
 According to a clause of this ordinance, those places including restaurants,
canteens, bridges, lanes, and even the confines of private homes.
 While in theory the non-Muslim minority of Pakistan is exempt from the law,
minorities have been arrested for eating in public.
Blasphemy Laws

1. March 18, 1982, Changes introduced to the Pakistan Penal Code; Section 295-
B now stipulates a life term for defiling, damaging or desecrating a copy of
the Holy Quran
2. April 27, 1984, Ban imposed on use of Islamic nomenclature by Ahmadis
3. In 1986 declaring anything that implied disrespect to the Islamic
Prophet Muhammad, Ahl al-Bayt (family members of
Muhammad), Sahabah (companions of Muhammad) or Sha'ar-i-Islam (Islamic
symbols), was made a cognisable offence, punishable with imprisonment or
fine, or both.
Regulations for Women

 Under Zia, the order for women to cover their heads while in public was
implemented in public schools, colleges and state television. Women's participation
in sports and the performing arts was severely restricted.
 The Ansari commission, which from the 1980s onwards advised the President on
un-Islamic social conventions, recommended that women should be prohibited from
leaving the country without a male escort and that unmarried, unaccompanied
women should not be allowed to serve overseas in the diplomatic corps.
 An Islamic dress code was imposed on women in the public eye such as
newsreaders and air stewardesses.
Referendum on Islamization

 December 19, 1984 , Zia holds referendum on ‘Islamization’ which will give
him five more years at the helm.
 His government claims that more than 95 percent of votes cast were in support
of Zia.
Islamization

External Factor
Iranian Revolution
Political Dynamics
Political Dynamics

 Banned Political Parties.

 Banned Students’ Unions.
 In 1983,crushed the Movement For Restoration of Democracy
 Give A Boost To Religious Parties.
 Balochistan Rebellion
• Zia inherited a rebellion in Balochistan and settled this by declaring an official pardon for all those
who were prepared to give up their arms.
• He tried to re-establish good relations between Balochi tribal leaders and the central government.
• He also began a number of development projects in the province in a bid to improve the living
conditions and increase support for his rule.
 Accountability
1. After assuming power as Chief Martial Law Administrator, Zia-ul-Haq promised to hold
National and Provincial Assembly elections in the next 90 days and to hand over power to
the representatives of the Nation.
2. However, in October 1977, he announced the postponement of the electoral plan
and decided to start an accountability process of the politicians.
3. Investigations began into the corruption of the previous government.
4. Zia was keen to discredit Bhutto’s government and wanted to demonstrate that it was
being replaced by a new, more moral Islamic government
5. Zia also disbanded Federal Security Force (FSF) in November 1977.
6. He knew that it was extremely unpopular.
1985 Elections
 31 December 1985 Martial law was lifted, but Zia remained
President and chief of Army staff.
 Held in 1985 February.
 A Non-Party parliament was introduced.
 Muhammad khan Junejo a Prime Minister.
Muhammad Khan Junejo
 Junejo acted in an independent manner and displayed an admirable character.
 He practiced and imposed strictness in government expenditure.
 He put both military and civil officers in small cars.
 It is said by some that Zia-Junejo rift was encouraged by Mahboob-ul-Haq and
Junejo's insistence on signing Geneva pact without deciding the composition of next
government of Afghanistan before Soviet withdrawal.
 Junejo signed an accord in Geneva which paved the way for soviet withdrawal from
Afghanistan.
 Junejo did not strengthen the Islamization drive and rather weakened it.
 His era led to serious disturbances in Karachi and ultimately Karachi went into the
secular control of MQM from the clutches of Sunnis Jamaat-e-Islami.
Zia-Junejo Rift
 Apart from many other reasons, Prime Minister Junejo's decision to sign the Geneva
Accord against the wishes of Zia
 In April, 1988, ojhri munitions camp blew up, and Junejo launched an inquiry.
 Ojhri Camp blast had irreversibly weakened Zia.
 Junejo also gave Benazir a seat next to him in parleys before that.
 The late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's daughter Benazir Bhutto had returned from exile earlier
in 1986, and had announced that she would be contesting the elections.
 With Bhutto's popularity somewhat growing, and a decrease in international aid
following the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, Zia was in an increasingly difficult
political situation
Zia-Junejo Rift

 On 29 May 1988, Zia dissolved the National Assembly and removed the Prime
Minister under article 58(2)b of the amended Constitution.
 Zia promised to hold elections in 1988 after the dismissal of Junejo government.
 He said that he would hold elections within the next 90 days.
 On 17 August 1988, Zia was killed in an air crash.
 The chairman of the senate, Ghulam Ishaq khan became president.
Soviet Invasion

 In December 1979, in the midst of the Cold War, the Soviet Army invaded
Afghanistan in order to prop up the communist government of the People's
Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) against a growing insurgency.
 The Soviet Union feared the loss of its communist proxy in Afghanistan.
 At the end of December 1979, the Soviet Union sent thousands of troops into
Afghanistan and immediately assumed complete military and political control
of Kabul and large portions of the country.
Afghan Policy 

 Zia chaired a meeting and was asked by several cabinet members to refrain from
interfering in the war, owing to the vastly superior military power of the USSR.
 He was ideologically opposed to the idea of communism taking over a neighboring
country, supported by the fear of Soviet advancement into Pakistan, particularly
Baluchistan, in search of warm waters, and made no secret about his intentions of
monetarily and militarily aiding the Afghan resistance (the Mujahideen) with major
assistance from the United States.
Afghan Policy 

 Assuming the presidency in 1978, Zia played a major role in the Soviet war in
Afghanistan.
 Aided by the United States and Saudi Arabia, Zia systematically coordinated
the Afghan mujahideen against the Soviet occupation throughout the 1980s.
 This culminated in the Soviet Union's withdrawal in 1989, but also led to the
proliferation of millions of refugees, with heroin and weaponry into Pakistan's
frontier province.
Soviet Invasion Effects

 Pakistan fought a proxy wars against USSR to save their country.

 Afghan refugees flooded Pakistan after soviet invasion.
 Society was brutalized.
 This led to sectarian militancy and emergence of ethnic parties
 Introduction of Kalashnikov and drug cultures.
Afghan-Miracle (Soviet Invasion)
• On 25 December 1979, Soviet tanks rolled into
Afghanistan.
• Until that time, the West had not taken Zia seriously, and some
Western leaders were unhappy that military dictatorship had
replaced democracy.
• The invasion had an immediate impact on international
relations. Now Zia was the leader of Muslim nation on frontline
against the communist forces.
• The West particularly USA was ready to provide economic and
military support to establish Pakistan as the base for anti-Soviet
activities.
• In fact, Pakistan was the West’s only ally in the religion.
• The soviet invasion proved to be a windfall to Zia. It established
Pakistan as a leading country in world politics.
• Zia was able to increase defence budget and built up such an
effective military force that he was able to sell military assistance
to other countries.
• Pakistan became the second largest supplier of the
military manpower in the developing world.
• Karachi became the best naval base in the region.
The Revival Of Constitution Order
Presidential Order

 On 24th December 1981, under Presidential Order (P.O.15 of 1981) a

Federal Council (Majlis-e-Shoora) was constituted by the President.
 Its members were nominated by the President. The first session of this
Council was held on 11th January 1982.
 In this way, limited and controlled political activities were resumed, as a
result of which general elections were later held for the National and
Provincial Assemblies on 25th February 1985, on non-party basis.
Constitution Order 1985

 On 2nd March 1985, the revival of Constitution Order (P.O.14 of

1985) was issued in which a large number of amendments were
made in the Constitution. 
 The first session of the National Assembly was held 20th March
1985. 
 Mr. Muhammad Khan Junejo, was nominated as the Prime
Minister of Pakistan by the President (General Zia-ul-Haq). 
 He received vote of confidence on 24th March 1985.
Amendments in the Constitution

 He made the passing of Eight Amendment essential for the restoration of

parliament, which gave constitutional cover to Martial law
 8th amendment introduced 58(2)(B) clause allowed to dismiss the prime
minister.
 Objective Resolution was made Substantive part of constitution through
Article 2-A
 March 2, 1985 Articles 62 & 63 of the Constitution amended to make
parliamentarians’ qualifications subject to ‘Islamic’ Morality.
Shariat Ordinance

 June 15, 1988, Zia promulgates the Shariat Ordinance, making

Shariah as a supreme law of the land.
 Problems for Zia
In the second half of the 1980’s, Zia found it much
difficult to govern Pakistan effectively
• The ’Afghan Miracle’ had brought economic support
to Pakistan, but at a cost. Guns became common in
the streets of Pakistan.
• Killings and violence became common on the streets
of Karachi.
• Drug use and drug trafficking also grew at alarming
rates until Pakistan became one of the world’s leading
countries for drug trading.
• Then on 10 April 1988, an army weapons depot at
Ojhri camp blew up.
• The depot was located in the middle of a densely
populated area between Rawalpindi and Islamabad
and hundreds of civilian were killed, with thousands
more injured.
• Consequently, on 29th May 1988 Zia used his powers
to dismiss Junejo and dissolve the National assembly.
Death of General Zia Ul Haq
• Zia died in a plane crash on 17 August 1988.
• After witnessing a US M1 Abrams tank demonstration in
Bahawalpur, Zia had left the small town in the Punjab province by
C-130B Hercules aircraft.
• The aircraft departed from Bahawalpur Airport and was
expected to reach Islamabad International Airport.
• Shortly after a smooth take off, the control tower lost
contact with the aircraft.
• Witnesses who saw the plane in the air afterward claim it was
flying unsteadily, then tumbled and exploded on impact.
• In addition to Zia, 31 others died in the plane crash.
• His funeral was held on 19 August 1988 in Islamabad.
• His remains were laid to rest in front of the huge, modern
Faisal Mosque.
Any Question?

Thank You