General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq was a military leader and politician who served as the sixth President of Pakistan from 1978 until his death in 1988. He came to power after a military coup that overthrew the government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Zia implemented significant political and economic reforms, including the introduction of Islamic law in the country. During his rule, Zia focused on strengthening the military and promoting conservative Islamic values. His government was marked by political repression and censorship, as well as involvement in the Afghan-Soviet War, which had lasting effects on the region. Zia's presidency ended when he died in a plane crash in 1988.