In February 1985, elections for the national …
Years: 1985 - 1985
In February 1985, elections for the national and provincial assemblies are held; Zia continues the nonparity system.
Political parties are not allowed to participate, but there is a high turnout, despite a boycott by the opposition.
After the "election," which most PPP supporters boycott, Zia announces the appointment of Mohammad Khan Junejo as prime minister, subject to a vote of confidence in the National Assembly.
Junejo, a Sindhi politician who had previously served in Zia's Cabinet, takes office on March 23, 1985.
Two members of the Senate from the Jamaat-i-Islami introduce legislation to make the sharia the basic law of Pakistan, placing it above the constitution and other legislation.
The bill, which also would have added the ulama to sharia courts and would have prohibited appeals from these courts from going to the Supreme Court, does not pass, to Zia's displeasure.
Zia issues the Revival of the Constitution of 1973 Order, which is a misnomer.
The constitution has been so vastly changed by various decrees that it is much different from the one enacted by the Bhutto regime.
In the 1973 document, power had been in the hands of the prime minister; by 1985, it is in the hands of the president.
Zia promises to end martial law by the end of 1985, but he exacts a high price for this.
The Eighth Amendment to the constitution confirms and legalizes all acts taken under martial law, including changes to the constitution.
It affirms the right of the president to appoint and dismiss the prime minister.
With the amendment passed, Zia ends martial law in December 1985.
Political parties are revived.
The Muslim League, which almost disappeared as a political party in the elections of 1970, is resurrected.
Zia stops briefly in New Delhi in December 1985 to visit with his Indian counterpart.
