Mohammad Zia ul-Haq

Mohammad Zia ul-Haq 1924-88, Pakistani military and political leader. Named general and chief of staff by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1976, he declared martial law in July, 1977, in response to agitations against election fraud. He imprisoned Bhutto, later (1979) executing him. Zia became president in 1978 declaring the "Islamization" of Pakistan. He attempted to establish a partyless politics, winning a referendum in 1984. He permitted elected legislatures by 1985, lifting martial law in 1986. However, agitations caused Zia to dissolve the government (May, 1988), calling for elections in 90 days. He died in a plane crash and was succeeded by Ghulam Ishaq Khan.

Zia-ul-Haq, General Mohammed (b. 1924, d. 17 Aug. 1988). President of Pakistan 1978–88 Born in Jallundur, Punjab, he was educated at St Stephen's College, Delhi, before entering the British Indian army. He was commissioned in 1945 and joined the Pakistan army in 1947. He rose quickly within its ranks, serving as military adviser in Jordan (1974–5), until he was appointed in 1976 by Zulfikar Bhutto to become army Chief of Staff, largely for his unpolitical record. Nevertheless, he toppled Bhutto just over a year later, after the latter had rigged the general election. He was content to see Bhutto hanged, and took measures to destroy his party, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP). Meanwhile, he relaxed Bhutto's socialist policies and emphasized his commitment to Islam, in order to buttress his appeal to the middle classes. He also abandoned Bhutto's neutralist foreign policy in favour of a closer alignment with the USA. He won the 1985 elections, which were boycotted by the PPP now led by Bhutto's widow and his daugher, Benazir Bhutto. Zia-ul-Haq ruled at the head of a civilian government which was led by Mohammad Khan Junejo. He remained firmly in control, however, until his death in an aeroplane crash. It became evident that the complex political system he had created to overcome the PPP had been built on the weak foundation of his personality alone, for the elections following his death were won by the PPP, with Bhutto's daughter becoming Prime Minister.

Zia ul-Haq, Muhammad (1924–88) Pakistani general and statesman, President (1978–88). As Chief of Staff he led the bloodless coup which deposed President Zulfikar Bhutto in 1977. After being sworn in as President in 1978, he banned all political parties and began to introduce strict Islamic laws. Re-appointed President in 1984, Zia ul-Haq lifted martial law but continued to maintain strict political control. He died in an air crash, possibly as the result of sabotage.