Army-The ever present dictator in Pakistan

Since 14th August,1947 when Pakistan came into being, its army has played a very vital and critical role in the working of the government. This is quite unfortunate as this country was established on Islamic Ideology which clearly favors democratic form of government. After the death of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on September 11, 1948, the democratic government started to become weak and army started playing an active role in the functioning of the government.

Pakistan had to wait until 1958 when the then Chief of Army Staff General Ayub Khan disposed off the democratic government and imposed Marshall Law. Three Marshall Laws were to follow in the next 40 odd years imposed by Yahya Khan, Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf respectively.

Even during the era of democratic governments like that of Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif and Pml-q, army has played its part in developing foreign policy of the country, taking important decisions and taking steps on its own. The so called establishment has even made its own democratic leaders in order to provide stiff competition to anti-establishment forces. Nawaz Sharif who raises voices against army and pervez Musharraf now was made by the establishment to fight against the ever growing popularity of Benazir Bhutto. Similarly Pml-q was established by Pervez Musharraf.

The fact is that no matter form of government exists in Pakistan, army will continue to play its role in the working and functioning of the government. This is quite unfortunate but our political leaders are to be accused for this. Leaders like Nawaz Sharif asked army for help and Pakistan paid for it. This practice has to be stopped and a perfect democratic system has to be established in Pakistan if Pakistan wants to progress and develop.

Analysis of Zia Ul Haq's Islamization

On December 2,1978 General Muhammad Zia ul Haq delivered a nation wide address on the occasion of the first day of Hijra calendar. He did this in order to usher in an Islamic system to Pakistan. According to my opinion this was the first step of Zia to the process of Islamization.
After assuming the power the task that the government set to was its public commitment to enforce Nizam-e-Mustafa(Islamic system) a 180 degree turn from Pakistan’s predominantly Common Law. As a preliminary measure to establish an Islamic society in Pakistan.
Continiouing with the process of Islamization Zia’ government introduced hudood ordinance. This is that under offence against property, the punishment of imprisonment or fine, or both, as provided in the existing Pakistan Penal Code for theft, was substituted by the amputation of the right hand of the offender from the joint of the wrist by a surgeon. For robbery the right hand of the offender from the wrist and his left foot from the ankle should be amputated by surgeon. According to my own judgment these was a very strict rules but yet proved to be very effective at that time.
Zia’s government also introduced prohibition order. Drinking of wine(such as alcoholic drinks) was not a crime at all under the Pakistan Penal Code. In 1977, however the drinking and selling of wine by Muslims was banned in Pakistan and a sentence of imprisonment of six months or a fine of Rs 5000/-;or both was provided in that law. Under the prohibition order ,these provision of law were replaced by the punishment of eighty stripes. However the law was not applicable on the non Muslims who can possess a license to drink and/or manufacture alcoholic beverages from the government.
The next one is the Adultery(Zina) Ordinance which comes in the Zia’s Islamization. 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 shall be stoned to death.
Then comes the blasphemy law. the Pakistan Penal Code and the criminal procedure were amended, through ordinance in 1980, 1982 and 1986 to declare anything implying disrespect to Muhammad,Ahle Bait(family of the prophet), Sahaba(companions of the prophet) and Sh’ar-i-islam(Islamic symbols) punishable with imprisonment or fine, or with both.
Conclusion
Islamization was sometimes used as a political process. Zia interpretation of islam may have contributed to the rise of fundamentalism. Since the death of zia in 1988 inconsistency and instability has prevailed in Pakistani laws.
Instability means that the law is frequently changing or is under threat of change because of differences in opinions among the ruling factions.

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