Zia ul-Haq, Mohammed (also Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq)

1924 – He was born in Jullundur, Punjab, India, birth of the Pakistani dictator, general, and politician.

1965 – He served in Burma, Malaya, and Indonesia in World War 2, and in the wars with India.

1976 - He became general and army chief of staff.

1977 – He led a bloodless coup, imposed martial law, banned political activity, and introduced an Islamic code of law. Then he deposed President Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and he later executed the former president.

1978 – He became the President of Pakistan.

1979 – He sanctioned the hanging of former President Bhutto despite international protest.

1984 – He attempted to establish a party less politics, winning a referendum.

1985 – He permitted elected legislatures.

!986 – He lifted Martial Law.

1988 – He dissolved the government, calling for elections in 90 days. He died in a plane crash and was succeeded by Ghulam Ishaq Khan.