Muhammad Zia ul-Haq

Muhammad Zia ul-Haq (1924-1988), strongman-president of Pakistan (1978-1988). Born in Jullundur, India, Zia attended the Royal Indian Military Academy and was commissioned in 1945. Despite an undistinguished career, he rose to the rank of general and was promoted to major general in 1972. Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1976 passed over more senior officers and named him chief of staff, reportedly because of his lack of political ambition. In 1977, however, Zia led a coup, overthrew Bhutto, and placed him under house arrest. Ruling first as martial-law administrator, he assumed the presidency in 1978 and had Bhutto charged, convicted, and executed for murder in 1979. In late 1985 he reinstated civilian government and extended his presidency for another five years. In 1988 Zia was killed in an airplane crash possibly caused by sabotage.