Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq facts for kids

Quick facts for kids General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq HI, GCSJ, ร.ม.ภ
محمد ضیاء الحق
Zia-ul-Haq Portrait
6th President of Pakistan
In office 16 September 1978 – 17 August 1988
Prime Minister	Muhammad Khan Junejo
Preceded by	Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry
Succeeded by	Ghulam Ishaq Khan
Chief Martial Law Administrator
In office 5 July 1977 – 24 March 1985
Preceded by	Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (as Prime Minister)
Succeeded by	Muhammad Khan Junejo (as Prime Minister)
2nd Chief of Army Staff
In office 1 March 1976 – 17 August 1988
President	Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry Himself
Prime Minister	Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Muhammad Khan Junejo
Preceded by	Tikka Khan
Succeeded by	Mirza Aslam Beg
Personal details
Born	(1924-08-12)12 August 1924 Jullundar, Punjab, British India (now Jalandhar, Punjab, India)
Died	17 August 1988(1988-08-17) (aged 64) Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
Cause of death	Airplane crash
Resting place	Faisal Mosque, Islamabad
Spouse	Begum Shafiq Zia ​ (m. 1950)​
Children	Muhammad Ijaz-ul-Haq Muhammad Anwar-ul-Haq Rubina Saleem Zain Zia Quratulain Zia
Alma mater	St. Stephen's College, Delhi Indian Military Academy United States Army Command and General Staff College
Military service
Allegiance	British India  Pakistan
Branch/service	British Indian Army Pakistan Army
Years of service	1943–1988
Rank	General
Unit	The Guides Cavalry (FF), Army Armoured Corps (PA – 1810)
Commands	2nd Independent Armoured Brigade 1st Armoured Division II Strike Corps Chief of Army Staff
Battles/wars	World War II Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Black September Soviet–Afghan War

General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq was a Pakistani four-star general and politician. He became the sixth President of Pakistan after a military takeover in 1977. This takeover is known as a coup and he declared martial law. Zia-ul-Haq served as president until his death in a plane crash in 1988. He was Pakistan's longest-serving leader and Chief of Army Staff.

Zia-ul-Haq studied at St. Stephen's College, Delhi. He joined the British Indian Army in 1943 and fought in World War II. After Pakistan became independent in 1947, he joined the Pakistan Army. He was a tank commander in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. In 1970, he led a military training mission to Jordan. He helped Jordan defeat an uprising called the Black September insurgency. Because of his service, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto made Zia-ul-Haq the Chief of Army Staff in 1976.

After a period of public unrest, Zia-ul-Haq removed Prime Minister Bhutto in a military coup on July 5, 1977. He then declared martial law. Bhutto was later tried and executed. Zia-ul-Haq became president in 1978. He played a big role in the Soviet–Afghan War. With support from the United States and Saudi Arabia, he helped the Afghan fighters (called Mujahideen) against the Soviet forces. This led to the Soviet Union leaving Afghanistan in 1989. However, it also caused millions of Afghan refugees to come to Pakistan.

Internationally, Zia-ul-Haq improved Pakistan's ties with China and the United States. He also focused on Pakistan's role in the Islamic world. Relations with India became difficult during this time. At home, Zia-ul-Haq introduced laws as part of "Islamization" in Pakistan. This meant making laws more based on Islamic teachings. He also limited people's freedoms and controlled the news. He pushed forward Pakistan's atomic bomb project. Under his rule, Pakistan's economy grew quickly, becoming the fastest-growing in South Asia. After lifting martial law in 1985, he held elections and appointed Muhammad Khan Junejo as Prime Minister. However, Zia-ul-Haq kept more power for himself as president. He died in a plane crash in 1988.

Today, Zia-ul-Haq is a debated figure in Pakistan's history. Some praise him for helping the economy and stopping Soviet expansion. Others criticize him for weakening democracy and promoting religious intolerance.

Early Life and Family

Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq was born on August 12, 1924. His family lived in Jullundar, which was part of British India at the time. He was the second child of Muhammad Akbar Ali. His father worked for the British Armed Forces in India. Zia-ul-Haq's father was very religious. He made sure his seven children prayed daily and learned the Qur’an. Because of his father's job, Zia-ul-Haq spent his childhood in Simla and Jalandhar.

He finished his early schooling in Simla. Then, he went to St. Stephen's College in Delhi. He earned a degree in History there in 1943. After that, he joined the Indian Military Academy. He graduated in May 1945. In 1947, when India was divided, Zia-ul-Haq helped refugees. He was an escort officer for the last train of refugees leaving Babina. This was a difficult seven-day journey. The passengers were often under attack due to violence after the division.

In 1950, he married Shafiq Jahan, a relative. She was the daughter of a doctor from Uganda. Begum Shafiq Zia passed away in 1996. Zia-ul-Haq had two sons, Muhammad Ijaz-ul-Haq and Muhammad Anwar-ul-Haq. He also had three daughters: Rubina Saleem, Zain Zia, and Quratulain Zia. His son, Muhammad Ijaz-ul-Haq, later became a cabinet minister in Pakistan.

Military Service

Zia-ul-Haq joined the British Indian Army in 1943. He fought against Japanese forces in Burma during World War II. After Pakistan was formed in 1947, he joined the new Pakistan Army. He became a Major in the Guides Cavalry. He also served in other army units. From 1962 to 1964, he trained in the United States. He attended the US Army Command and General Staff College. After his training, he returned to Pakistan. He became a Directing Staff at the Command and Staff College in Quetta. During the 1965 war with India, he was an Assistant Quartermaster.

Role in Black September

From 1967 to 1970, Brigadier Zia was in Jordan. He led a Pakistani training mission there. He became involved in a conflict against Palestinians called Black September. Zia-ul-Haq had been in Amman for three years before this event. He helped King Hussein of Jordan plan military actions. He also commanded an armored division during battles.

Some reports say Zia-ul-Haq was almost disciplined for his actions. He was accused of disobeying orders from Pakistan's Army Headquarters. However, another senior general, Gul Hasan, helped him. This saved Zia-ul-Haq from being removed from the army.

Becoming Chief of Army Staff

In 1975, Zia was promoted to Lieutenant General. He was given command of the II Strike Corps in Multan. On March 1, 1976, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto chose Zia to be the Chief of Army Staff. This meant Zia was promoted to a four-star general.

Bhutto chose Zia even though seven other generals were more senior. Some historians believe Bhutto chose Zia for ethnic reasons. He thought Zia, being from the Arain group, would not team up with other military officers to overthrow him. Bhutto also allowed Zia to promote more Islamic ideas in the army.

Planning the Coup

Prime Minister Bhutto's popularity began to decline. His political allies started to leave him. He faced growing criticism. The government removed the opposition party's provincial government in Balochistan. This was due to claims of them trying to separate from Pakistan. The party was later banned, and its leaders were arrested.

Public Unrest Against Bhutto

Problems also grew within Bhutto's own party. The murder of a political opponent's father caused public anger. Bhutto was accused of planning this crime. Leaders from his party openly criticized him. Civil liberties were suspended in some areas. About 100,000 troops were sent to the North-West Frontier Province and Balochistan. They were accused of human rights abuses.

1977 Elections

On January 8, 1977, many opposition parties formed the Pakistan National Alliance (PNA). Bhutto called for new elections. The PNA took part in these elections. However, they lost and claimed the elections were rigged. They then boycotted the provincial elections. Despite this, many people voted in the national elections. But the PNA declared Bhutto's new government illegitimate.

The Military Takeover

Soon, opposition leaders called for Bhutto's government to be removed. Political unrest grew worse. On April 21, 1977, Bhutto declared martial law in major cities. However, a deal between Bhutto and the opposition was reported. Zia had carefully planned the military takeover, known as "Operation Fair Play." He knew many officers were loyal to Bhutto.

In the early hours of July 5, 1977, the coup happened. Before any agreement was announced, Bhutto and his cabinet members were arrested. This was done by military police under Zia's orders. Zia later told Bhutto he was sorry for this "unpleasant task."

Zia and his military government said the coup was a "spontaneous response" to a difficult situation. However, Zia's Chief of Army Staff, General Khalid Mahmud Arif, said the coup was planned. He said the army leadership had good information. Arif had urged Bhutto to quickly negotiate with the opposition. Arif also denied Zia's claim that Bhutto was planning a civil war. No weapons were found to support this claim.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Mohammad Shariff, supported Zia. The Chief of Air Staff, General Zulfiqar Ali Khan, did not. In 1978, Zia appointed new chiefs for the Air Force and Navy. In 1979, the military chiefs declared the coup legal. They pledged their support to Zia.

United States Support

The United States, especially under President Ronald Reagan, strongly supported Zia's military government. The Reagan administration saw Pakistan as a key ally against communism. American officials often visited Pakistan. They advised Zia on how to strengthen his government. Reagan's conservative ideas influenced Zia. Zia began to strongly enforce Islamic practices in Pakistan.

Some historians believe the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) helped in the coup against Bhutto. They thought the US feared Bhutto's socialist policies. These policies seemed friendly to the Soviet Union. The US wanted to prevent the Soviet Union from gaining access to Pakistan's ports. However, the US denied any involvement. They said Bhutto had lost support on his own.

Delaying Elections and Accountability

After taking power, Zia promised new elections within 90 days. He also said the Constitution was only suspended, not removed. However, in October 1977, he delayed the elections. He decided to start a process to investigate politicians. Zia said this was to check leaders who had done wrong things. This decision hurt Zia's trustworthiness. Many saw it as a broken promise.

A special tribunal was formed. Many former members of parliament were accused of wrongdoing. They were banned from politics for seven years. A "white paper" was released, accusing Bhutto's government of many faults.

Senior officers reported that Zia admitted he lacked the charisma of previous leaders. He wondered how he could gain public support.

Time as Chief Martial Law Administrator

After removing Prime Minister Bhutto on July 5, 1977, Zia-ul-Haq declared martial law. He named himself Chief Martial Law Administrator. He held this position until he became president on September 16, 1978.

The Doctrine of Necessity

Nusrat Bhutto, the wife of the removed Prime Minister, challenged Zia's military rule in court. The Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled that Zia's takeover was legal. They said it was necessary because of the very unstable political situation. This ruling gave Zia more control over the government.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's Trial

Former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was arrested during the coup. He was released shortly after. But on September 3, 1977, the Army arrested him again. He was accused of ordering the murder of a political opponent in 1974. His trial began on October 24, 1977, and lasted five months.

On March 18, 1978, Bhutto was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death. Zia-ul-Haq reportedly disliked Bhutto. Despite many world leaders asking Zia to change Bhutto's death sentence, Zia refused.

On April 4, 1979, Bhutto was executed. The Supreme Court had upheld the death sentence. Many people around the world, and lawyers in Pakistan, criticized this execution. Bhutto's trial was very controversial.

Appointing Martial Law Administrators

Zia's government appointed high-ranking military generals to run the provinces. Lieutenant-General Fazhle Haque was made Martial Law Administrator of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province. He was a strong general and led secret operations against the Soviet Union.

Lieutenant-General S.M. Abbasi became the Martial Law Administrator of Sindh Province. His time saw civil unrest and student riots. In Punjab Province, Lieutenant-General Ghulam Jilani Khan improved Lahore's infrastructure. He also helped Nawaz Sharif become Chief Minister of Punjab. The fourth administrator was Lieutenant-General Rahimuddin Khan. He was appointed to Balochistan Province. He stopped the Baloch insurgency and oversaw the building of nuclear test sites.

During Zia's rule, many weapons and refugees came from Afghanistan. Law and order worsened after he appointed Mr. Junejo as Prime Minister in 1985.

Zia was helped by very capable military administrators. These officers had worked with previous military governments. General Khalid Arief and Admiral Mohammad Shariff were two such officers. They were known for being highly skilled. They helped Zia manage difficult situations. Zia also made sure that the Navy and Air Force remained loyal to his government.

Time as President of Pakistan

Becoming President

After the coup, President Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry stayed in office for a while. He was mostly a figurehead. When his term ended, he resigned. Zia-ul-Haq then took over as President of Pakistan on September 16, 1978.

Political Changes

Forming the Majlis-e-Shoora

Zia-ul-Haq did not like the disorder of multi-party democracy. He preferred a "presidential" government. He also liked a system where technical experts made decisions. In 1979, he banned all political parties. At the end of 1981, he created the Majlis-e-Shoora, a "consultative council." This council advised the President and helped with Islamization. The President chose its 350 members. They could only advise him and usually approved his decisions. Most members were intellectuals, scholars, journalists, and professionals.

Zia's government included many professionals and military officers. He believed this "military-bureaucratic technocracy" was better than politicians. Key figures in his government included physicists, jurists, economists, and senior military officers.

1984 Referendum

After Bhutto's execution, there was pressure to hold elections. But Zia-ul-Haq wanted to secure his position as head of state. A referendum was held on December 19, 1984. People voted to accept or reject him as the future President. The way the question was asked made voting against Zia seem like voting against Islam. Official figures said 97.8% voted for Zia. However, only 20% of voters actually participated.

1985 Elections and Constitutional Changes

After the 1984 referendum, Zia allowed general elections in February 1985. These elections were held without political parties. Most major opposition parties boycotted them. However, many winners still belonged to political parties. Critics said that banning parties led to ethnic and religious groups becoming more active.

Zia worked to give himself the power to remove the Prime Minister and dissolve the National Assembly. He also gained the power to appoint provincial governors and army chiefs. His Prime Minister, Muhammad Khan Junejo, was known as a quiet and humble person.

Before giving power to the new government, Zia made sure the new legislature approved all his actions from the past eight years. This included his 1977 coup. He also passed several changes to the Constitution. The most important was the Eighth Amendment. This gave the president special powers to dissolve Parliament. However, this amendment also limited when he could do so. He could only dissolve Parliament if the government lost a vote of no confidence or could not function constitutionally.

Economic Policy

Zia generally gave economic development a low priority. He left its management to experts like Ghulam Ishaq Khan. However, from 1977 to 1986, Pakistan's economy grew very fast. The average annual growth in GNP was 6.8%. This was the highest in the world at that time. This growth was largely due to money sent home by Pakistanis working abroad. These remittances were about $3.2 billion per year in the 1980s. They made up 10% of Pakistan's GDP.

When Zia took over, the government had already taken control of many industries. Zia slowly reversed this trend. He favored the idea of "corporatization" for nationalized industries. He did not order widespread privatization. Only three steel mills were returned to their previous owners.

By late 1987, the finance ministry began studying how to gradually privatize industries. They also looked into making the economy more open.

Soviet-Afghan War and Nuclear Program

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

On December 25, 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. Zia held a meeting where some cabinet members advised against getting involved. They feared the Soviet Union's powerful military. However, Zia was against communism taking over a neighboring country. He also worried about the Soviets moving into Pakistan. So, he decided to help the Afghan resistance, known as the Mujahideen. He provided them with money and military aid. The United States also gave major assistance.

Zia approved a secret operation in Afghanistan. This operation involved arming Islamic extremists. It later joined with "Operation Cyclone," a program funded by the United States and the CIA.

In 1982, Zia visited Moscow for a funeral. Soviet leaders expressed anger about Pakistan helping the Afghan resistance. Zia assured them Pakistan wanted good relations. However, his actions did not match his words.

Zia changed many of Bhutto's foreign policies. He built stronger ties with the United States, Japan, and Western countries. He ended relations with socialist states. US politician Charlie Wilson claimed he worked with Zia and the CIA. They sent Soviet weapons captured by Israel to fighters in Afghanistan.

Developing the Atomic Bomb Program

One of Zia's first actions in 1977 was to put the atomic energy program under military control. This program was started by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in 1972. Bhutto's program was overseen by a civilian committee. Zia took over the program and arrested the civilian head. The entire nuclear project was then put under the control of Major-General Zahid Ali Akbar. He was an engineering officer. Akbar was soon promoted to Lieutenant-General. He became the Engineer-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army Corps of Engineers. He brought all scientific research under military control. He set clear goals for the project.

Akbar was very capable in science and technology. He quickly led the development of nuclear weapons. This was done with scientists Munir Ahmad Khan and Abdul Qadeer Khan. By the time Zia took control, 90% of the work on the atomic bomb project was complete. The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) had built a large research setup. Akbar's office moved to the Army's General Headquarters. He advised Zia on nuclear science and bomb production. He was the first to tell Zia that the project was becoming successful. On Akbar's advice, Zia made Munir Ahmad Khan the scientific director of the atomic bomb project. Zia believed civilian scientists could handle international pressure best.

The PAEC conducted a "cold-fission test" of a nuclear device in March 1983. This test was called Kirana-I. Lieutenant-General Zahid Akbar informed Zia about its success. The PAEC did several more cold-tests in the 1980s. Zia was very concerned about spies in the project. He kept the PAEC and KRL separate. He made important decisions himself, rather than leaving them to scientists. His actions led to innovation and great secrecy in the nuclear program.

Nuclear Diplomacy

Unlike Bhutto, who faced strong criticism from the United States, Zia used different diplomatic methods. From 1979 to 1983, Pakistan was criticized for not signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Zia cleverly dealt with this pressure. He linked Pakistan's nuclear program to India's. With the help of Munir Ahmad Khan and Foreign Minister Agha Shahi, Zia proposed a five-point plan. This plan was a response to pressure to sign the NPT. It included giving up the use of nuclear weapons.

After Israel destroyed Iraq's nuclear program in 1981, Pakistan worried India might do the same. Zia told Air Chief General Anwar Shamim that India planned to attack Pakistan's nuclear project. Shamim felt the Air Force could not stop such an attack. He advised Zia to use diplomacy through Munir Ahmad Khan. In Vienna, Munir Ahmad Khan met with an Indian physicist. He warned that an attack would start a nuclear war. Meanwhile, Shamim began a program to get F-16 and A-5 Fanton jets for the Pakistan Air Force. Shamim launched "Operation Sentinel." This operation stopped an Israeli attempt to sabotage Pakistan's nuclear project. It also forced India to hold talks with Pakistan on nuclear issues. Both countries promised not to attack each other's facilities. In 1985, after getting the new jets, Shamim created the Air Force Strategic Command. Its job was to protect Pakistan's weapons of mass destruction.

In 1977, Zia adopted a policy of "nuclear opacity." This meant deliberately denying the atomic bomb programs. He often broke his promises about the program's nature. He misled the United States and kept information secret. The US trusted Zia's sincerity. He promised not to produce high-grade nuclear materials. However, a CIA official confronted Zia in 1981. Zia admitted the information "must be true" but then denied everything. This led the official to believe Zia was either unaware or a "superb and patriotic liar."

Nuclear Proliferation

After the coup, Pakistan's secret nuclear project was no longer a secret. Part of Zia's plan was to help other countries with their nuclear ambitions. This included countries like North Korea, Iran, and China. This was meant to shift international attention away from Pakistan. In 1981, Zia sent weapon-grade uranium to China. He also helped China build a centrifuge laboratory. This boosted China's nuclear program. Abdul Qadeer Khan also tried to help Libya's nuclear program. But because relations with Libya were difficult, Khan was warned. This policy aimed to make other countries face international pressure, sparing Pakistan.

After Zia's death, General Mirza Aslam Beg encouraged Abdul Qadeer Khan. Khan was given freedom to work with countries like North Korea and Iran. In 2004, Khan was removed from the nuclear weapons program. This was seen as a way for Pakistan's military to save face. Zia's nuclear spread policy had a big impact globally. North Korea, for example, later faced similar international pressure for its nuclear program.

Expansion of Nuclear Program

Even though Zia changed some of Bhutto's nuclear policies, he did not stop them. After Zahid Ali Akbar retired, Zia gave control of the nuclear program to Munir Ahmad Khan. Khan was Bhutto's close aide and Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. Zia made Khan the technical director of the program and his Science Adviser. With support from Prime Minister Muhammad Juneijo, Zia approved building a 50 Megawatt (MW) plutonium production reactor. This reactor, called Khushab-I, was launched in Khushab in 1985. Zia also started space projects related to the nuclear program. He appointed nuclear engineer Salim Mehmud to lead the Space Research Commission. Zia also began work on Pakistan's first satellite, Badr-1, a military satellite. In 1987, Zia launched a secret aerospace project. This was the Integrated Missile Research Program.

"Islamization" of Pakistan

The main policy of Zia's government was "Islamization." This meant making Pakistan's laws and society more based on Islamic teachings.

Before the coup in 1977, Prime Minister Bhutto had already banned alcohol for Muslims, nightclubs, and horse racing. Zia went much further. He aimed to establish Nizam-e-Mustafa, meaning the "Rule of the Prophet" or an Islamic System. This was a big change from Pakistan's previous secular laws.

Zia set up "Sharia Benches" in courts. These courts used the teachings of the Quran and Sunna to judge cases. They also worked to make Pakistan's laws match Islamic doctrine. Zia increased the influence of Islamic scholars (ulama) and Islamic political parties. Thousands of activists from the Jamaat-e-Islami party were given government jobs. This was to ensure his agenda continued. Conservative Islamic scholars were added to the Council of Islamic Ideology.

Islamization was a sharp change from Bhutto's focus on "Food, clothing, and shelter." Zia believed socialist economics weakened Pakistan's moral values. In a 1979 interview, Zia said Pakistan was founded on Islam. He believed Bhutto's policies had harmed society. He stated that Pakistan was returning to Islam because 99% of people wanted it.

It is debated how much of Zia's motivation came from his faith and how much from political strategy. Some say he used Islam for political gain.

The success of state-sponsored Islamization in uniting the country is also debated. Religious riots occurred in 1983 and 1984. Divisions between Sunni and Shia Muslims worsened over issues like the 1979 Zakat ordinance. Differences in Islamic law also arose in areas like marriage, divorce, and inheritance.

Among Sunni Muslims, there were disputes between Deobandis and Barelvis. Zia favored the Deobandi teachings. So, the Sufi leaders (Pirs) in Sindh, who were Barelvis, joined the anti-Zia movement.

Hudood Ordinance

One of Zia's first and most debated steps was replacing parts of the Pakistan Penal Code. He introduced the 1979 "Hudood Ordinance." "Hudood" means limits or restrictions in Islamic law. These laws imposed Islamic punishments. However, the legal process, witnesses, and evidence rules remained based on English law.

Mixing Pakistan's legal code with Islamic laws was difficult. This was because the two legal systems had different underlying principles.

Islamic Law Changes

Under Zia, women in public schools, colleges, and state television were required to cover their heads. Women's participation in sports and performing arts was greatly limited. Following Sharia law, a woman's legal testimony was given half the weight of a man's.

In 1980, the "Zakat and Ushr Ordinance" was put in place. This law required a 2.5% annual deduction from personal bank accounts. This happened on the first day of Ramadan. Zia said the money would help the poor. Committees were set up to manage these funds.

In 1981, interest payments were replaced by "profit and loss" accounts. Textbooks were changed to remove non-Islamic material. Non-Islamic books were taken out of libraries. Eating and drinking during Ramadan was made illegal. Efforts were made to enforce praying five times a day.

Blasphemy Laws

To outlaw blasphemy, the Pakistan Penal Code was changed in 1980, 1982, and 1986. The 1980 law banned insulting Islamic figures. It carried a three-year prison sentence. In 1982, the small Ahmadiyya religious group was forbidden from calling themselves Muslims. In 1986, disrespecting the Islamic prophet Muhammad, his family, companions, or Islamic symbols became a crime. This was punishable by imprisonment or fine, or both.

Madrassa Expansion

Traditional religious schools, called madrassas, received state support for the first time under Zia's government. Their number grew from 893 to 2,801. Most followed the Deobandi teachings. About a quarter were Barelvi. They received money from Zakat councils. They offered free religious training, room, and board to poor Pakistanis. These schools, which banned televisions and radios, have been criticized for increasing religious hatred.

Cultural Policies

In a 1979 speech, Zia criticized Western culture and music. Soon after, the national television network, PTV, stopped playing music videos. Only patriotic songs were broadcast. New taxes were put on the film industry. Most cinemas in Lahore were closed. New tax rates further reduced cinema attendance.

However, during Zia's time, Pakistan's urban middle and lower-middle classes grew. Western 1980s fashion and hairstyles became popular. Rock music bands also gained popularity. These bands often expressed Pakistani nationalism. Overall, Zia is remembered negatively in Pakistan for promoting radicalization.

Welfare for People with Disabilities

During his time in office, Zia oversaw a law for the welfare of people with disabilities. This law, called "The Disabled Persons (Employment and Rehabilitation) Ordinance, 1981," was passed on December 29, 1981. It provided measures for the employment, rehabilitation, and well-being of people with disabilities.

Dismissal of Junejo Government and New Elections

As time passed, the legislature wanted more freedom. By early 1988, there were rumors of disagreements between Prime Minister Muhammad Khan Junejo and Zia.

Some say the rift was encouraged by Mahboob-ul-Haq. Junejo insisted on signing the Geneva pact without deciding the next government of Afghanistan. He also did not strengthen the Islamization efforts. His time saw serious unrest in Karachi.

The Ojhri Camp blast greatly weakened Zia. Junejo was determined to investigate this disaster. This investigation would have exposed the involvement of the ISI and Zia's generals. After the Soviet army's defeat, America wanted to check the ammunition supplied to Pakistan for the Mujahideen. Much of it had been stored by Pakistan for future use. So, some believe Zia planned this event to fulfill his own agenda, sacrificing Pakistani lives.

On May 29, 1988, Zia dissolved the National Assembly. He removed the Prime Minister using his special powers under the Constitution. One major reason was Junejo's decision to sign the Geneva Accord against Zia's wishes. Another was Junejo's promise to investigate the Ojhri Camp explosion.

Zia promised to hold elections in 1988 after removing Junejo's government. He said elections would be held within 90 days. Benazir Bhutto, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's daughter, had returned from exile in 1986. She announced she would run in the elections. With Bhutto's popularity growing and less international aid, Zia faced a difficult political situation.

Death

Zia died in a plane crash on August 17, 1988. He had just watched a US M1 Abrams tank demonstration in Bahawalpur. He left the city in a C-130B Hercules aircraft. The plane took off from Bahawalpur Airport and was heading to Islamabad International Airport. Soon after takeoff, the control tower lost contact with the aircraft. Witnesses said the plane flew erratically, then nose-dived and exploded.

Besides Zia, 31 other people died in the crash. These included General Akhtar Abdur Rahman, a close associate of Zia, and the American ambassador to Pakistan, Arnold Lewis Raphel. Ghulam Ishaq Khan, the Senate chairman, announced Zia's death on radio and TV. The circumstances of his death have led to many conspiracy theories. Some speculate that the United States, India, the Soviet Union, or internal groups within Zia's military were involved.

An inquiry board investigated the crash. It concluded that the most likely cause was "a criminal act of sabotage." It also suggested that poisonous gases might have been released. This would explain why no distress signal was sent. A flight recorder (black box) was not found, even though C-130 aircraft usually have them.

Maj. Gen. (retd) Mahmud Ali Durrani was suspected by some. He was "extraordinarily insistent" that President Zia visit the demonstration. He later said reports of Israeli and Indian involvement were just speculation.

Legacy

Funeral and Aftermath

Zia's funeral was held on August 19, 1988, near Islamabad. Nearly one million mourners attended. They chanted, "Zia ul-Haq, you will live as long as the sun and moon remain above." He was buried in front of the large, modern Faisal Mosque. This mosque was built by Zia as a symbol of Pakistani-Saudi friendship. His successor, President Ghulam Ishaq Khan, and military officials were also present. Former US Secretary of State George P. Shultz also laid a wreath at Zia's grave.

Public Image

Even after his death, Zia-ul-Haq remains a very debated figure in Pakistan. His legacy is seen as complex and lasting. He is praised for helping to defeat the Soviets. Historians study his policy-making skills. Some call him "The Ringmaster" or "Master Tactician." However, his most remembered legacy is his role in supporting the Afghan Mujahideen against the Soviet Union. His rule also helped conservative groups rise in national politics. He is also seen as one of Pakistan's most successful generals. He put the armed forces in charge of the country's affairs. During his time, Western styles in hair, clothing, and music became popular. The 1980s saw the rise of Pakistani rock music, which expressed Pakistani nationalism. Overall, Zia is often remembered negatively in Pakistan for promoting radicalization.

Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan

In 2010, the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan was passed. This amendment permanently removed the executive powers that General Zia had added to the Constitution of Pakistan.

Awards and Decorations

	Sitara-e-Harb 1965 War (War Star 1965)	Sitara-e-Harb 1971 War (War Star 1971)
Tamgha-e-Jang 1965 War (War Medal 1965)	Tamgha-e-Jang 1971 War (War Medal 1971)	Pakistan Tamgha (Pakistan Medal) 1947	Tamgha-e-Sad Saala Jashan-e- Wiladat-e-Quaid-e-Azam (100th Birth Anniversary of Muhammad Ali Jinnah) 1976
Hijri Tamgha (Hijri Medal) 1979	Tamgha-e-Jamhuria (Republic Commemoration Medal) 1956	Order of Independence (Jordan) 1971	Order of the Star of Jordan (1971)
Order of the Rajamitrabhorn'''' (Thailand)	Burma Star	War Medal1939-1945	General Service Medal World War 2 (Awarded in 1945)

Foreign Awards
Jordan	Order of Al-Hussein bin Ali
Thailand	Order of the Rajamitrabhorn
Jordan	Order of the Star of Jordan
	Order of Independence
UK	Burma Star
	War Medal 1939-1945
	General Service Medal - (World War 2)

Images for kids

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  President Ronald Reagan and Bill Clark meeting with President Zia-ul-Haq, 1982

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  General Zia-ul-Haq during a meeting with United States dignitaries

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  Zia presenting the Hilal-i-Imtiaz to Shamim Alam Khan

See Also

In Spanish: Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq para niños

• Joanne Herring
• Human Rights in Pakistan under General Zia-ul-Haq
• Politics of Pakistan
• List of presidents of Pakistan
• Military dictatorship
• Oppression under the regime of General Zia-ul-Haq
• Corporate capitalisation