Early Life and Military Career

General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq was born on August 12, 1924, in Jalandhar, British India. After the partition in 1947, his family migrated to the newly formed Pakistan. Zia was commissioned into the British Indian Army in 1943 and transitioned into the Pakistan Army post-independence. Known for his discipline and devout Islamic faith, he steadily advanced through military ranks.

He served in various military and diplomatic roles, including Pakistan’s military attaché in the United States. In 1976, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto appointed Zia as Chief of Army Staff, superseding several senior generals. This decision would have profound consequences for Pakistan’s political future.

Coup and Seizure of Power

On July 5, 1977, General Zia led a military coup that ousted Prime Minister Bhutto’s civilian government, citing election fraud and national unrest. Zia imposed martial law, suspended the constitution, and assumed the role of Chief Martial Law Administrator. Though he initially promised elections within 90 days, he delayed them indefinitely and later became President of Pakistan in 1978 after the resignation of Fazal Elahi Chaudhry.

Islamization of Pakistan

Zia’s tenure is most remembered for his extensive program of Islamization. He aimed to align Pakistan’s legal and social systems with Islamic principles. His government introduced Sharia laws, the Hudood Ordinances, and created Federal Shariat Courts. Public prayers, Islamic dress codes, and mandatory religious studies in schools were enforced.

These policies transformed Pakistan’s identity and institutions, but also led to increased sectarianism, religious intolerance, and curtailed civil liberties. Zia’s alignment with religious parties, especially Jamaat-e-Islami, was instrumental in consolidating his power.

Foreign Policy and Afghan War

Zia played a central role in Cold War geopolitics during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Pakistan became a key U.S. ally, facilitating support for the Afghan Mujahideen. With American and Saudi funding, Zia’s regime provided arms, training, and sanctuary to Afghan fighters.

While this elevated Pakistan’s strategic importance and brought in international aid, it also resulted in long-term consequences, including the rise of militant extremism and the proliferation of arms and drugs within Pakistan.

Bhutto’s Execution and Political Repression

One of the most controversial events of Zia’s rule was the trial and execution of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1979, condemned widely by the international community. Zia banned political parties, suppressed media freedom, and arrested opposition leaders. He postponed democratic elections repeatedly and ruled with an iron hand.

Death and Legacy

General Zia-ul-Haq died in a mysterious plane crash near Bahawalpur on August 17, 1988, along with several high-ranking officials and the U.S. Ambassador. The exact cause of the crash remains a mystery and has fueled speculation and conspiracy theories for decades.

Legacy

Zia-ul-Haq remains one of Pakistan’s most polarizing figures. While some credit him with strengthening the military and promoting Islamic values, others blame him for derailing democracy, fostering extremism, and militarizing politics. His policies continue to influence Pakistan’s political, religious, and legal systems to this day.