Kara Sears
Martial law is the imposition of military rule over civilian government, often in response to war, civil unrest, or natural disasters. It has been declared four times in Pakistan, most recently in 1999 by General Pervez Musharraf, who seized power in a military coup. Pakistan has a history of military coups, and the imposition of martial law has been a highly controversial issue since the country's independence in 1947. This article will explore the history of martial law in Pakistan, the individuals who have declared it, and the impact it has had on the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of declaration | 7 October 1958 |
| Who declared it | President Iskander Mirza |
| Who was appointed as Chief Martial Law Administrator | General Muhammad Ayub Khan |
| Who was appointed as Secretary General and Deputy Chief Martial Law Administrator | Aziz Ahmad |
| Date of the second declaration | 25 March 1969 |
| Who declared it the second time | President Yahya Khan |
| Who was appointed as Chief Martial Law Administrator the second time | General Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan |
| Date of the third declaration | 5 July 1977 |
| Who declared it the third time | General Zia-ul-Haq |
| Date of the fourth declaration | 12 October 1999 |
| Who declared it the fourth time | President Pervez Musharraf |
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What You'll Learn
Martial law in Pakistan has been declared four times
The second instance of martial law in Pakistan was declared on 7 October 1958 by President Iskander Mirza, who appointed General Muhammad Ayub Khan as the Chief Martial Law Administrator. However, General Ayub deposed Iskandar Mirza just three weeks later on 27 October 1958 and assumed the presidency, formalising the militarisation of the Pakistani political system. This second period of martial law lasted for two years and was lifted in 1960.
The third instance of martial law was imposed on 5 July 1977 by General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, following a bloodless coup d'état. This third period of martial law was imposed in response to political turmoil and unrest and lasted for three years, until it was lifted in 1980.
The fourth and most recent instance of martial law in Pakistan was imposed in 1999 by President General Pervez Musharraf, who seized power in a military coup. Musharraf claimed that martial law was necessary to restore order and stability to Pakistan, which was facing several severe challenges, including an economic crisis, rising crime, and increasing militancy. During this period, all political parties were banned, many political leaders were arrested and detained, the media was censored, and civil liberties were suspended. Martial law was lifted in 2001, and Musharraf remained in power until he was ousted in 2008 by a pro-democracy movement.
Note: The declaration of martial law in Pakistan has been a controversial issue, with some viewing it as a violation of human rights and a tool for the military to control the civilian population. It is important to recognise that the imposition of martial law involves the replacement of civilian government by military rule and the suspension of civilian legal processes in favour of military powers.
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The first instance was in 1958
Martial law in Pakistan has been declared four times, with the first instance being in 1958. This was the first military coup in the country, which took place on 27 October 1958, when President Iskander Ali Mirza was overthrown and exiled by the commander-in-chief of the Pakistan Army, General Muhammad Ayub Khan.
In the lead-up to the coup, there was a quick succession of prime ministers, which fostered the view within the military that the public would support a coup against the civil government. On 7 October, President Mirza abrogated the Constitution of Pakistan, dismissed the government of Sir Feroz Khan Noon, dissolved the National Assembly and provincial legislatures, and outlawed all political parties. He then appointed General Ayub Khan as the Chief Martial Law Administrator and nominated him to become the new Prime Minister.
General Ayub Khan combined the offices of president and prime minister, becoming both the head of state and government. He created a cabinet of technocrats, diplomats, and military officers. This marked the beginning of several decades of military rule in Pakistan, which lasted from 1958 to 1971.
The imposition of martial law in 1958 was a controversial event that had a profound impact on Pakistan's political landscape. It resulted in the suspension of the civilian government, parliament, and judiciary, with the military taking complete control of the country. Censorship was strictly enforced, and the media was controlled, with newspapers facing challenges in reporting on current events without violating martial law regulations.
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The most recent instance was in 1999
Martial law in Pakistan has been a controversial issue since the country gained independence in 1947. There have been four periods of martial law in Pakistan, and the most recent instance was in 1999.
On 12 October 1999, the country's democratically elected government fell as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was ousted by Army Chief General Pervez Musharraf in a bloodless coup. Sharif and most of his government ministers were placed under house arrest as the Pakistani military took control of airports and state-run television stations, which broadcast the news of the coup to the public.
On 14 October, General Musharraf, acting as the country's Chief Executive, issued a controversial provisional order that suspended the Constitution of Pakistan. He declared a state of emergency, stating: "The whole of Pakistan shall come under the control of the armed forces of Pakistan." He suspended the constitution, the national assembly, and the four provincial legislatures. All other political officials, except President Muhammad Rafiq Tarar, were dismissed.
General Musharraf claimed that martial law was necessary to restore order and stability to Pakistan, which was facing several severe challenges, including an economic crisis, rising crime, and increasing militancy. However, martial law has been criticized by many as a violation of human rights and a tool used by the military to control the civilian population and suppress dissent.
The 1999 declaration of martial law in Pakistan was met with mixed reactions internationally. The United States initially condemned the coup but later adopted a more conciliatory tone, proceeding with a planned waiver of nuclear testing-related sanctions for Pakistan and India. The IMF responded by cutting off all aid to Pakistan until democracy was re-established, and the Commonwealth of Britain and its ex-colonies suspended Pakistan's membership. Meanwhile, India's army went on alert, and the newly elected government held a Cabinet Security meeting to discuss the situation.
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It was imposed by President Musharraf
Pakistan has had a tumultuous history of military coups and martial law since its independence in 1947. Martial law is the imposition of military rule over civilian government, where civilian legal processes are suspended and military powers are enforced. It is often declared in times of emergency, war, civil unrest, or natural disasters.
General Pervez Musharraf imposed the fourth and most recent period of martial law in Pakistan in 1999. This came after a military coup d'état against the civilian government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Musharraf, along with three other army generals, played a crucial role in detaining Sharif and seizing control of the government. He assumed the title of Chief Executive and issued a Provisional Constitutional Order, suspending the Constitution of Pakistan and dissolving the National Assembly and provincial assemblies.
Musharraf justified his actions by citing the country's turmoil, claiming that institutions had been systematically destroyed, the economy was near collapse, and drastic measures were needed. He argued that he was choosing to save the country over upholding the constitution, and that his actions were necessary to restore order and stability to Pakistan. However, he denied imposing martial law, instead referring to the situation as an "emergency".
Musharraf's actions were highly controversial and sparked protests and demonstrations. Critics viewed them as a violation of human rights and an attempt by the military to control the civilian population and suppress dissent. In 2007, Musharraf again imposed a state of emergency, suspending the constitution and firing the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court. This move was widely disapproved of, leading to mass demonstrations and ultimately, Musharraf's resignation to avoid impeachment.
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Martial law is controversial and seen as a violation of human rights
Martial law is a system of governance where civilian government is replaced by military rule, and civilian legal processes are superseded by military powers. It is typically imposed during times of war, civil unrest, natural disasters, or military coups. While it can be used to restore order and stability in a country facing crises, it is often seen as a violation of human rights.
In Pakistan, martial law has been imposed four times, with the first instance occurring in 1947, immediately after the country gained independence from British rule. This was followed by three additional periods of martial law in 1958, 1977, and most recently in 1999, when President Pervez Musharraf seized power in a military coup.
The imposition of martial law in Pakistan has been a highly controversial and polarizing issue. While it has been used as a tool to control civil unrest and violence, it has also led to the suspension of civil liberties and human rights violations. During periods of martial law in Pakistan, the military has exerted complete control, suspending the civilian government, parliament, and judiciary. This has resulted in the arrest and detention of political leaders, media censorship, and the suppression of dissent.
The declaration of martial law by President Musharraf in 1999 was met with widespread criticism and protests. Musharraf claimed that martial law was necessary to address the economic crisis, rising crime, and increasing militancy in the country. However, many viewed it as a violation of human rights and an attempt by the military to exert control over the civilian population.
The controversial nature of martial law is not unique to Pakistan and has been observed in other countries as well. For example, the period of martial law in the Philippines under President Ferdinand Marcos from 1972 to 1981 was marked by grave human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial executions. Similarly, the imposition of martial law in the United States during the Civil Rights Movement and other instances of social unrest has been criticized for suppressing civil liberties and targeting peaceful activists.
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Frequently asked questions
Martial law in Pakistan has been declared by the country's president, military army chief, or general.
Yes, martial law has been declared in Pakistan four times since the country gained independence in 1947. The first instance was in 1958, the second in 1969, the third in 1977, and the fourth in 1999.
When martial law is declared in Pakistan, the civilian government, parliament, and judiciary are suspended, and the military takes over. Civil liberties are suspended, and the military has the power to arrest and detain political leaders, control the media, and censor information.
