Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, then the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, executed a coup d'état to seize control of the government from the democratically elected Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Tensions had been mounting in Pakistan, marked by widespread protests against the Bhutto government, which faced allegations of corruption and authoritarian practices. Zia, campaigning on the grounds of stabilizing the country, launched Operation Fair Play. The military quickly took over key institutions and declared martial law, suspending the constitution and dissolving the National Assembly. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was arrested and later tried for conspiracy to commit murder, leading to his execution in 1979.Zia's regime initiated significant changes; he implemented Islamic laws, aligning Pakistan's legal system more closely with his vision of Islamization. This period saw the establishment of a more militarized governance structure, which suppressed political dissent and media freedom. Zia-ul-Haq ruled with an iron fist, while fostering relationships with Western powers, particularly the United States, during the Cold War, which sought Pakistan's support in countering Soviet influence in Afghanistan. His governance led to profound alterations in national policies and social fabric, affecting education, women's rights, and religious practices across the country. Zia's rule transformed Pakistan into a more conservative state, influencing its political landscape for years to come.