Zia-ul-Haq, Mohammed (1924-1988), was a Pakistani general and political leader. He was born on Aug. 12, 1924, at Jalandhar (also spelled Jullundur), in what is now the state of Punjab in India. Zia was a professional soldier. He served with British armored forces in Southeast Asia at the end of World War II (1939-1945). By 1972, Zia had risen to the rank of major general in Pakistan’s army. In that year, he presided over the trials of officers accused of plotting against the government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. In 1976, Bhutto appointed Zia chief of staff of the army. In 1977, after much political unrest, Zia overthrew Bhutto and became president a year later.
Bhutto was hanged in 1979, despite worldwide appeals to spare his life. Zia banned political parties and trade unions, imposed censorship, and introduced strict Islamic laws into Pakistan. On Aug. 17, 1988, he died in a plane crash with several other generals.
See also Pakistan (Struggle for democracy).
