Word: zia
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...head of Pakistan's new military government was shocked and saddened. When he saw Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in Rawalpindi two weeks ago, General Mohammed Zia ul-Haq confronted the deposed Prime Minister with several charges of crime and misconduct. As Zia told the story later, "I said to him, 'Sir'-I still called him that-'Sir, why have you done all those things, you whom I respected so, who had so much?' He said only that I should wait and he would be cleared. It was very disappointing." So disappointing, in fact, that Zia approved...
...regime in Pakistan announced that it was imposing Koranic law in that country. Whipping, amputation and death, along with prison terms, were prescribed for a long list of crimes, ranging from theft, armed robbery and insulting the modesty of a woman to political activities, labor organizing and striking. General Zia ul-Haq, the new chief administrator of martial law, decreed that there would be no amputations without his approval and that anesthesia would be used. Nonetheless, the threat was apparently sufficient to cause a sharp drop in crime...
Shattered Pride. Meanwhile, the army was assigned the unpleasant task of maintaining the peace. The soldiers, whose pride had been shattered by the 1971 defeat, once again found themselves taunted and reviled by demonstrators for supporting an unpopular government. "Zia, Zia, be-hiya [Zia, Zia, shameless]!" became a popular slogan against the army leader. Four brigadiers and several dozen field-grade officers in Lahore resigned rather than follow orders to fire on unruly mobs...
...Zia, 53, was appointed chief of staff by Bhutto last year over several higher-ranking officers because of his reputation as a nonpolitical "soldier of Islam." But finally Zia decided to take action, alarmed by increasing clashes and the distribution of weapons to Bhutto's supporters. As he told the nation last week, "When the political leaders fail to steer the country out of a crisis, it is an inexcusable sin for the armed forces to sit as silent spectators...
Wild Pony. At first it seemed doubtful whether the army would allow Bhutto to take part in the election campaign. But at week's end, Zia emphasized that the former Prime Minister was free to participate. In fact, added Zia, "I hope he will come back and stand for election." Whether the brilliant, mercurial Bhutto will decide to do so, however, is not yet clear. He is still popular with much of the peasantry, and he may well emerge from detention to rally his supporters, perhaps denouncing the army for its intervention (and even for the country...