The Pakistan Armed Forces under Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq seize power in Operation Fair Play and begin 11 years of martial law. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the first elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, is overthrown.

Pakistan Armed Forces

Combined military forces of Pakistan

The Pakistan Armed Forces are the military forces of Pakistan. It is the world's sixth-largest military measured by active military personnel and consists of three uniformed services—the Army, Navy, and the Air Force, which are backed by several paramilitary forces such as the…

Zia-ul-Haq

President of Pakistan from 1978 to 1988

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…

1977 Pakistani military coup

The 1977 Pakistani military coup was the second military coup in the history of Pakistan. Taking place on 5 July 1977, it was carried out by Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the chief of army staff, overthrowing the government of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

4th President and 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan (1928–1979)

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto NI was a Pakistani barrister, politician and statesman who served as the fourth president of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973 and later as the ninth prime minister of Pakistan from 1973 until his overthrow in 1977. He was also the founder and first chairman of the…

Prime Minister of Pakistan

Head of government of Pakistan

The prime minister of Pakistan is the head of government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Executive authority is vested in the prime minister-led and appointed cabinet, with the president of Pakistan serving as the nominal head of executive and state. The prime minister is…

July 5

Day of the year

July 5 is the 186th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 179 days remain until the end of the year.