Voting Station

Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq

Please vote to return to collections.

World Leader

The Resume

    (August 12, 1924-August 17, 1988)
    Born in Jalandhar, India
    Graduated from St. Stephen’s College with a B. A. Honors
    Served in British Indian Army in a cavalry regiment (May 12, 1943)
    Joined Pakistan Army once Pakistan became independent
    Instructor at Command and Staff College in Quetta
    Did training course in the Commander and Staff College of United States of America (1963-1964)
    Assistant Quarter Master of 101 Infantry Division during Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
    Lieutenant General (1975)
    Chief of Army Staff (1976)
    President of Pakistan (September 16, 1978-August 17, 1988)
    Established Majlis-i-Shoora in place of Parliament (1980)
    Died in a mysterious plane crash near Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Why he might be annoying:

    He increased religious fundamentalism in Pakistan by funding madrassas, or Islamic religious schools, foreshadowing the rise of the Taliban in Pakistan.
    He overthrew Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in a coup.
    He was the third Pakistani ruler to impose martial law in Pakistan.
    He later had Zulfikar Ali Bhutto executed by hanging (1979).
    He became president by taking advantage of vote fraud suspicions over a national election.
    He suspended political parties in Pakistan in an attempt to eradicate them (1984).
    He remained in power through deception, even after he lifted martial law.
    He instituted massive censorship laws.
    His government policies aimed at Islamizing Pakistan was denounced by women's groups and human rights advocates.
    He thought that Western-style democracy isn't fitting for Pakistan.
    When Benazir Bhutto was pregnant with her first child, he took that advantage of the situation in order to limit her political activities and stay in power.
    He was criticized for manipulating Islam in order to justify his dictatorship.
    He disbanded the National Assembly and removed the position of Prime Minister from the Pakistani Constitution (May 29, 1988).
    His death in a plane crash proved costly for Pakistan because almost all of the country's military elite was on board with him as well.
    He developed Pakistan's nuclear program up to the point that the country now has nukes.
    He sent a scientist to sell nuclear plans to Iran, Libya, and North Korea.
    His government was highly unpopular.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He died five days after his birthday.
    He fought on the British side during World War II.
    He opposed the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and helped America fight against it.
    He eventually allowed elected legislatures (1985), and even lifted martial law (1986).
    Some people say that his strong devotion to Islam prevented Pakistan's morality from deteriorating.
    He improved Pakistan's relations with India.

Credit: Big Lenny


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 179 Votes: 68.16% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 52 Votes: 26.92% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 13 Votes: 92.31% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 48 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 79 Votes: 63.29% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 26 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 16 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 98 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 24 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 228 Votes: 64.47% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 26 Votes: 57.69% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 21 Votes: 90.48% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 55 Votes: 65.45% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 17 Votes: 58.82% Annoying