Part of a series on the
History of Pakistan
Military coups in Pakistan
Military coups in Pakistan began in 1958 and there have been three successful attempts.
There have also been numerous unsuccessful attempts since 1951. Since its creation in
1947, Pakistan has spent several decades under military rule (1958 – 1971, 1977 – 1988, 1999
– 2008).
1958 coup
Main article: 1958 Pakistani coup d'état
In 1958, the first Pakistani President Major General Iskander Mirza dismissed the Constituent
Assembly of Pakistan and the government of Prime Minister Feroz Khan Noon, appointing army
commander-in-chief Gen. Ayub Khan as the Chief martial law administrator. Thirteen days later,
Mirza himself was deposed by Ayub Khan, who appointed himself president.[1]
1977 coup (Operation Fair Play)
Main article: Operation Fair Play
Operation Fair Play was the code name for the coup d'etat conducted at midnight on July 4,
1977 by the Pakistan military, led by Chief of Army Staff General Zia-ul-Haq, against the
government of then-Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. General Zia ordered the arrest of Bhutto,
his ministers and other leaders of both the Pakistan People's Party and the Pakistan National
Alliance.[2] In a nationally televised address, General Zia announced that the National Assembly
of Pakistan and all provincial assemblies were dissolved, and that the Constitution of
Pakistan was suspended.[3]
The martial law enforced by President General Zia, it introduced the strict but modern form
of conservatism which promoted the nationalistic and religious programmes.[4]
History of Pakistan
Military coups in Pakistan
Military coups in Pakistan began in 1958 and there have been three successful attempts.
There have also been numerous unsuccessful attempts since 1951. Since its creation in
1947, Pakistan has spent several decades under military rule (1958 – 1971, 1977 – 1988, 1999
– 2008).
1958 coup
Main article: 1958 Pakistani coup d'état
In 1958, the first Pakistani President Major General Iskander Mirza dismissed the Constituent
Assembly of Pakistan and the government of Prime Minister Feroz Khan Noon, appointing army
commander-in-chief Gen. Ayub Khan as the Chief martial law administrator. Thirteen days later,
Mirza himself was deposed by Ayub Khan, who appointed himself president.[1]
1977 coup (Operation Fair Play)
Main article: Operation Fair Play
Operation Fair Play was the code name for the coup d'etat conducted at midnight on July 4,
1977 by the Pakistan military, led by Chief of Army Staff General Zia-ul-Haq, against the
government of then-Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. General Zia ordered the arrest of Bhutto,
his ministers and other leaders of both the Pakistan People's Party and the Pakistan National
Alliance.[2] In a nationally televised address, General Zia announced that the National Assembly
of Pakistan and all provincial assemblies were dissolved, and that the Constitution of
Pakistan was suspended.[3]
The martial law enforced by President General Zia, it introduced the strict but modern form
of conservatism which promoted the nationalistic and religious programmes.[4]
