Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, Pakistani general and politician, 6th President of Pakistan (born 1924)

Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq was a Pakistani military leader who served as the sixth president of Pakistan from 1978 until his death in an airplane crash in 1988. He also served as the second chief of the army staff of the Pakistan Army from 1976 until his death. Zia's role as Pakistan's longest-serving head of state and chief of the army staff resulted in the development of Ziaism, his personal political thought that steered his administration of Pakistan as president.

The president of Pakistan is the head of state of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The president is the nominal head of the executive and the supreme commander of the Pakistan Armed Forces. The presidency is a ceremonial position in Pakistan. The president is bound to act on advice of the prime minister and cabinet. Asif Ali Zardari is the current president since 10 March 2024.

August 17 is the 229th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 136 days remain until the end of the year.