Zia-ul-Haq 1978-88 Flashcards
Who was General Zia-ul-Haq?
General Zia-ul-Haq served as Pakistan’s 6th President from 1978 to 1988, leading an authoritarian regime.
Coup of 1977
On July 5, 1977, General Zia removed Prime Minister Bhutto in a bloodless coup, suspending the constitution, declaring martial law, and announcing elections within 90 days. This marked the beginning of a period of military rule and censorship, with political activists and journalists arrested and publicly flogged.
Murder of Bhutto’s dissident
Muhammad Ahmed Khan Kasuri was assassinated in 1974 in a car ambush targeting his son. Ahmad Raza Khan Kasuri, a leading dissident, escaped the ambush. The attack was allegedly on the orders of Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. This event came to a central charge against Bhutto after Zia took power and Bhutto was convicted and hanged in 1979
Treatment of Journalists
On May 13, 1978, eleven journalists were sentenced by military courts, and four of them, including Masudullah Khan, Iqbal Jafri, Khawar Naeem Hashmi, and Nasir Zaidi, were flogged, part of a broader crackdown on press freedom.
Creation of Shariat Benches
On December 2, 1978, Shariat benches were constituted at high court levels, with an appellate Shariat bench established at the Supreme Court level. These benches could review any law deemed un-Islamic and introduced various Islamic practices in government offices and businesses.
Bhutto’s Execution (April 4, 1979)
On April 4, 1979, Prime Minister Bhutto was hanged in Rawalpindi jail, despite a split verdict and international appeals, marking a highly controversial event in Pakistan’s history.
Press Freedom Clampdown
On October 15, 1979, General Zia further clamped down on press freedoms, leading to the banning of newspapers like the Daily Musawat and Daily Sadaqat two days later.
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan 1979
On December 24, 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, prompting General Zia to involve Pakistan in the American and Saudi-sponsored jihad, significantly impacting regional security.
Federal Shariat Court
On May 26, 1980, the establishment of the Federal Shariat Court was announced, further institutionalizing the application of Islamic law in Pakistan’s legal system.
‘Islamization’ Referendum
On December 19, 1984, General Zia held a referendum on ‘Islamization,’ claiming 98.5% support for his policies with a turnout of 62.2%, which extended his rule by five more years.
What was the criticism of the referendum?
1) Independent observers questioned whether voter participation had reached 30% and noted that there had been “widespread irregularities”
2) Misleading questions, asking the voter for a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ on whether they wanted to support Islamisation and, therefore, want Gen Zia to continue for another five years after Martial Law was lifted.
Which party boycotted the referendum?
The Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD) and other parties boycotted the referendum. Polling stations on the day wore a deserted look but when the results were announced, it was claimed that the general had bagged more than 60 per cent votes
Relations of Bhutto and Zia before the coup
Zia was a major general from 1972. He was president of the military courts that tried several Army and Air Force officers alleged to have plotted against the government of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1972. Bhutto promoted him to lieutenant general in 1975 and made him chief of Army staff in 1976.
Amendments of Articles 62 and 63 (1985)
On March 2, 1985, Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution were amended to make parliamentarians’ qualifications subject to ‘Islamic’ morality, further Islamizing Pakistan’s political structure.
8th Amendment
On November 9, 1985, the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution came into force, giving General Zia the power to dissolve the parliament under Article 58-2(B), further centralizing authority.
