Gen Zia-ul-Haq era

General Zia ul Haq (12 August 1924-17 August 1988) was the president and military ruler of Pakistan from july 1977 to his death in 1988.Distinguish by his rule in the Black September in Jordan military operation in 1970, he was appointed Chief of Army Staff in 1976.After wide spread civil disorder ,he overthrew ruling Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.He initially ruled Chief Martial Law Administrator ,but later installed himself as a President of Pakistan in September 1978.
Zia’s major domestic initiatives includes the state’s islamization , the consolidation of the fledgling nuclear program, which was started by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto .His endorsement of rightwing political party Pakistan Muslim League initiated its mainstream revival. However he is most remembered for foreign policy ;the subsidizing of the Mujahedeen movement during the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
If we will talk about the army career of Zia he was commissioned in the British Indian Army in a cavalry regiment on 12 may 1943 and served during world war 2.After Pakistan gained its independence Zia joined newly formed Pakistan Army as a major. Zia was also stationed in Jordan from 1967 to 1970.Later on he was promoted to Lt Gen and was appointed of the II Strike Corps at Multan in 1975.On 1 March 1976 Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto approved Zia ul Haq as Chief of Army Staff.
After assuming power Chief Martial Law Administrator Gen Zia promised to hold National and provincial elections in next 90 days and to hand over power to the representatives of the nation. He also stated the constitution of Pakistan had not been abrogated whatsoever but had been temporarily suspended. However in October 1977 he announced the postponement of the electoral plan and decided to start an accountability process of the politicians. Zia said that he changed his decision due to the strong public demand for the scrutiny of political leaders who had engaged in malpractice in the past. Thus the “retribution first, election later”PNA policy was adopted.
Under the rule of Zia Ul Haq adultery(Zina)Ordinance was also introduced. Under the zina ordinance the provisions relating to adultery were replaced as that the women and the man guilty will be flogged, each of them, with hundred stripes, if unmarried. And if they are married they are stoned to death.
The Pakistan Penal code and the criminal procedure Code were amended, through ordinances in 1980, 1982 and 1986 to declare anything implying disrespect to Muhammad, Sahaba and Sha’ar-i- Islam, a cognizable offence, punishable with imprisonment or fine, or with both.
At the time of Zia’s rule instruction were issued for regular observance of prayers and arrangements were made performing noon prayer in government quasi-government offices and educational institutions