Martial (martial: military) law is empowerment of the military over civilian government, where everything will be under control of the military. It often happens when a country is facing an emergency, rebellion, uncontrolled protests, natural disasters, political crisis or hazards to national defense. The duration of martial law may vary. In martial law, people are deprived of their basic rights such as the freedom of speech, movement, gatherings and media are controlled.
Martial law has been implemented in different countries, and Pakistan is not exempted. Pakistan had a long-lasting history of martial law. Each era of Martial law left both a positive and negative impact on Pakistan. It dissolved all political parties, expelled the constitution and suppressed freedom. However, we observed short term improvement in the economic situation of Pakistan
History of Martial Law in Pakistan:
After independence, Pakistan was plagued by several crises and suffered from continuous political instability. It took so long for Pakistan to be a stable country. Some people think that martial law played an important role in the stability of Pakistan while some disagree with this. In Pakistan, four times martial law has been imposed. Let us have a detailed view of each era.
First Martial Law:
From the day of independence, Pakistan’s political instability, which was a major issue needs to be resolved. At the time of imposition of martial law, seven prime ministers had been replaced. The President of Pakistan, Iskandar Mirza, then, thought of establishing a government where there would be no fight for power. On 7 October 1958, just after nine years of independence, he imposed First Martial Law in the country, so that the military could help restore stability of the country.
During the Iskandar Mirza presidency, he replaced several Prime ministers, some due to corruption and others due to personal conflicts which led to chaos and weakened the state. In 1958, due to a conflict between President Iskandar Mirza and Prime Minister Feroze Khan Noon, the President declared martial law. As Iskandar Mirza declared Martial law, just after 20 days of announcement, General Muhammad Ayub Khan took complete control over the Government as Chief martial law administrator (CMA) as well as President. The duration of martial law was 3 years and 8 months.
Political Impact:
During this duration, the Constitution of 1956 was abrogated by Iskandar Mirza. The national
assembly was dissolved, and all political parties were banned. The 1st martial law ended on 8
June 1962 when the constitution of 1962 was announced. This new constitution was with basic
democracy and provided more power to the President. The duration from 1962 to 1969 was not
of martial law but of basic democracy. In this duration, Ayub Khan was the official president who
ran the system until 25 March 1969.
Economic Impact:
This duration showed quite rapid infrastructure, industrial and agriculture growth, which in turn
improved the economy. General Ayub Khan implemented five-year development plans.
Moreover, aid from the US and World Bank also helped to improve the economy. However,
some argue that this only improved the economic state of businesspersons and created a gap
between the Poor and Rich.
Dr. Mahbub-ul-Haq (an economist) famously stated about his rule: “Twenty-two families
control 66% of Pakistan’s industries and 80% of the banking sector.”
Second Martial Law:
The second martial law was declared by General Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan on 25 March 1969. The root cause behind this martial law was public protest Ayub khan’s Dictatorial
and unequal rule. The protest was not only led by people but by political parties too, which
created chaos in the country. The same unrest was also in east Pakistan, they considered
themselves ignored due to the unfair distribution of resources. Meanwhile, Sheikh Mujibur
Rehman demanded East Pakistan’s autonomy through his six points.
Moreover, the public was against the Tashkent agreement signed by General Ayub Khan
because the public believed in the victory of the Pak Army in the war of 1965. Under pressure,
Ayub khan transferred power to General Yahya Khan as Chief martial law administrator (CMA).
This is considered a formal handover while it was a pressurized transfer of power. According to
the constitution, General Ayub Khan should hand over his power to speaker of the national
assembly Abdul Jabber Khan but was forced by the Military
Political Impact:
Yahya Khan suspended the constitution of 1962 and dissolved all political assemblies. He
held the first general elections specifically on equal voting rights. The election resulted in the
power issue between east and west Pakistan and the civil war began. This conflict caused the
separation of east Pakistan as Bangladesh in December 1971.
Ayesha Jalal in her book The struggle for Pakistan wrote:
“The failure to recognize East Pakistan’s political rights sowed the seeds of national
disunity.”
Economic Impact:
There was a sharp decline in trade and industries because of east Pakistan separation. Political
issues, internal conflicts and civil war also caused the collapse of the economy. The investors
lost their belief in Pakistan and started to invest their money outside the country, which led to
unemployment and increased inflation.
Third Martial Law:
The third martial law was implemented on 5 July 1977 by General Zia ul Haq. The reason
behind this was civil unrest, due to corruption in the 1977 elections. The rigged elections led to
civil disorder, and the massive protests of civilians and political parties against the government
of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. There was no control over law and order. So, the army overthrew the
Government of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and arrested him, imposed martial law to maintain order,
peace and fairness, and it was named as Operation Fair Play.
The martial law was officially removed on 30 December 1985, but Pakistan was under de facto
martial law till 1988. General Zia ul Haq promised fair elections within 90 days. In 1984, Zia ul
Haq held a referendum to seek the opinion of the public in connection with the 8th amendment
and won it.
Political Impact:
As usual, the constitution was abrogated, and assemblies were dissolved. General Zia ul Haq
introduced Islamic laws, religious rules and Islamic education were made compulsory in
schools. Due to rigged elections, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was hanged on 4
th April 1979. Furthermore,
the constitution was partially restored under the tenure of Prime minister Muhammad Khan
Junejo. The media was strictly under military control; political parties were suspended. In this
era, the public was afraid of speaking against the military.
Economic Impact:
There was a moderate improvement in the economy of the state. Foreign aid from US and
Saudi Arabia for supporting Afghan Mujahideen in Soviet Afghan War helped improved the
economy of the country. Foreign remittances and private business played a significant role in
Pakistan’s development. Moreover, Investments were made on small scale industries.
4th Martial Law:
Fourth martial law was imposed by General Pervez Musharraf in the reign of Nawaz Sharif on
12 October 1999. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif dismissed Army Chief Pervez Musharraf when
he was out of the country and coming back from Sri Lanka. His plane had an issue and needed
space for landing, but Nawaz Sharif denied providing Pakistan’s Airports, which could have
endangered the life of Musharraf as well as other passengers in the plane. So, the military took
control over airports and provided space for landing.
Musharraf declared an emergency in the state while there was no formal order for
implementation of martial law. The Military arrested Nawaz Sharif. This rule was also called
Bloodless coup because there was no blood shed, no clash over power. However, the Military
justifies it as protection of the country from political, economic instability and to restore national
unity.
Political Impact:
As there was no formal martial law, even though the constitution was suspended and the state
was under Military control. Due to no law, Musharraf declared himself President in 2001 and
made some changes in the constitution, providing more power to the President. Musharraf held
a referendum in 2002 to gain public approval and named as Guided Democracy. He provided
some freedom to the media but faced opposition from the judiciary. The situation worsens when
he suspended the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry in 2007 and faced
protests from lawyers. The state was under continued instability even when Musharraf resigned
on 18 August 2008.
Economic Impact:
Initially, GDP improved due to loans and foreign aid. But there were no long-term economic
plans. Aid from US during War on Terror in 2001 play a vital role in country’s progress.
Moreover, Musharraf sold government institutes to private investors, which improved the
economy. As Pakistan had stable government and foreign support, foreign investors made
investments in Pakistan. The rate of inflation was in control for some time but because there
was no long-term plan. When Musharraf was about to resign, the state was heading towards
instability. The rate of inflation increased, problems such as inequality, and unemployment
arose.
Public Views:
The public welcomed First Martial Law because they were tired of politics. As Ayub Khan
brought stability, peace and made progress, it made people happy, but his rule lacked equality,
democracy, due to which he had to face protests by students and workers in 1960. In the
second martial law, there were inner conflicts in the state, and we lost East Pakistan, due to
which people lost trust in the Military as lots of people lost their lives in civil war. Yahya is not
remembered in good words by the public. During the duration of third Martial law, Zia ul Haq
suppressed democracy and implemented strict Islamization. Pakistan is still facing it’s negative
impacts in the form of religious extremism. Meanwhile, people were afraid of speaking against
the military; his fear was spread in the state.
“When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the
government, there is tyranny.” —Thomas Jefferson
Fourth martial law by Musharraf was accepted, initially, because the public was against the
Nawaz Sharif government due to corruption. Increased inflation and limited freedom of Judiciary
made people against him, and they demanded democracy.
At present, Political situation of Pakistan:
At present, Pakistan is facing a lot of political issues, and this is also considered as controlled
democracy as in the fourth martial law it was stated as Guided Democracy. The political state
of Pakistan still today is complex. Former PM Imran Khan is beloved by the public while he is
under arrest due to some cases. According to some critics, 2024 elections were rigged, but no
action was taken against them. Moreover, the Israel Palestine war is also creating tension
among the public; protests are going on for a ceasefire and help for Palestine. This government
was initially not accepted by the public but soon improvements and plans of this government
satisfied the Public.
The future of Martial law:
Martial law could not bring long-term stability and success for the country. Martial law
suppresses democracy that is not supported by the public. The public wants long-term stability
as well as economic success plans that are only possible by Democracy. We can’t say that a
state will never be under martial law, but it depends upon circumstances. It depends upon the
political situation and how democracy is carried by politics. The military still holds a strong
control over the state in making major decisions but is indirectly named as a hybrid system that
may continue for next centuries or years.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, military rule does not provide the public with freedom, and now the public avoids
it. Every military rule starts with hope but ends with more destruction and chaos in the state. The
military played a significant role in the temporary improvement of the economy, but no long-term
plans were introduced. People understood that politics could not suppress their rights and
Pakistan could achieve long-term stability if political stability remains. Today, even though the
military had an influence; it was indirect and limited. To put it in a nutshell, if a country had the
option of having more than one army like political parties, I am sure Pakistan would have more
armies than political parties.
