General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq took over as Chief Martial Law Administrator in 1977, overthrowing Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. He became President of Pakistan in 1978 and ruled until his death in 1988. His era is most noted for a strong drive toward Islamization, authoritarian control, and alignment with the West during the Soviet-Afghan War.

Zia’s Islamization program reshaped Pakistan’s legal, social, and political systems. Key reforms included:

• Hudood Ordinances (1979) introducing Islamic punishments for theft, adultery, etc.

• Establishment of Shariah Courts

• Introduction of Zakat and Ushr system

• Enforcement of Namakaram during office hours

• Promotion of Islamic dress codes and media censorship

• Islamization of education curriculum

Zia also revived Article 58(2)(b), allowing the President to dismiss elected governments—greatly increasing executive power. Political parties were restricted, and democracy was sidelined in favor of controlled governance.

Internationally, Zia’s Pakistan became a frontline state in the Cold War, receiving aid from the U.S. during the Soviet-Afghan conflict. While his supporters view him as a promoter of Islamic values, critics blame his policies for fostering sectarianism, extremism, and weakening democratic institutions.

Zia died in a mysterious plane crash on 17 August 1988, ending his controversial rule.