Once Chief Martial Law Administrator (CMLA) Gen Zia had postponed the general elections scheduled for October 18, 1977 it was communicated to him, more than once and by different quarters, that he could only prolong his rule if he gave his government a civilian facade. This became more pertinent when the general law and order situation did not improve, despite corporal punishments having become all too frequent.

But the General was already in a quandary: he faced many difficulties since he had failed to meet the promises made with political leaders. Since he could not woo the Pakistan National Alliance (PNA) without meeting their conditions, Gen Zia went ahead with forming a cabinet without them. This happened on July 5, 1978, exactly one year after he toppled Bhutto’s government. Of the Alliance’s parties, the Muslim League joined the General’s ranks.

The federal cabinet selected was to constitute 22 members, with 17 full-fledged ministers and five ministers for state. There were a several civilian faces and technocrats, who were joined by two serving army officers and one retired general. They were: Ghulam Ishaq Khan, finance, planning and provincial coordination; A K Brohi, law and parliamentary affairs; Fida Mohammad Khan, housing and works; Ghulam Mustafa Gokal, shipping, ports and export; Lt General (r) Habibullah Khan, industries and production; Mahmood A Haroon, interior; Lt-General Ghulam Hassan Khan, petroleum and natural resources; Maj General Said Mian, states and frontier regions; Gul Mohammad Khan Jogezai, water and power; Mohammad Khan Junejo, railways; Mohammad Ali Khan Hoti, education, culture and tourism; Mohiuddin Baloch, communication; Sharifuddin Pirzada, attorney general; Khwaja Mohammad Safdar, food and agriculture.

The five ministers of state were Hamid D. Habib, Javed Hashmi, Mahmood Ali, Agha Shahi and Begum Waqarunnisa Noon.

Mohammad Khan Junejo joins General Zia’s ranks as 22-member cabinet unveiled

The formation and unveiling of the cabinet did not surprise many; rather, it sealed the chapter of general elections for the foreseeable future. But the move dealt a heavy blow to the PNA, which was aspiring to join the government despite the hard conditions laid down by Nawabzadah Nasrullah Khan. Non-PNA political leaders too were discouraged from joining the alliance now.

Meanwhile, Gen Zia continued his policy of pacifying Baloch leaders in an attempt to establish the military government’s legitimacy. On July 7, the CMLA met Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo and Sardar Attaullah Mengal, the two Baloch leaders who Zia thought could create an amicable situation for his government. He was wrong.

Although the meeting remained inconclusive and no breakthrough was in sight, Gen Zia — like other dictators before and after him — presumed that talking about development projects with the Baloch leaders and making loud pledges was the best instrument for peace.

The federal cabinet was unique in form and functions. Gen Zia told the new cabinet members that their status would be that of federal ministers and they would be free to make political speeches, but that they would not be allowed to have national flags mounted on their vehicles. He pledged that the issue of allowing more political freedom would be discussed in the next cabinet meeting. Perhaps Gen Zia wanted to create an impression that he was still looking for better people.

On July 12, a day before the PNA chiefs’ meeting, the Jamaat-i-Islami convened separately. Here, it was expressed that the PNA should have joined the cabinet — especially now, when the Muslim League had joined it, the Alliance should also join the government in an attempt to retain the unity of the PNA.

Meanwhile, PNA leader Mufti Mahmood suffered a heart stroke during his stay in Karachi and was hospitalised. On July 7, Gen Zia called on him at the hospital, but this meeting turned into a lengthy dialogue aimed at easing the situation. The General expressed his belief that the PNA should have joined the government. Mahmood replied that the PNA had its reservations, which were not responded to positively, and therefore, it was difficult for the PNA to join the government. To this, the General made a more ‘generous’ offer: despite the formation of a cabinet, he wanted the PNA to join the government.

The Muslim League joining the government had created much exasperation as other PNA parties felt alienated. On July 12, a day before the PNA chiefs’ meeting, the Jamaat-i-Islami convened separately. Here, it was expressed that the PNA should have joined the cabinet — especially now, when the Muslim League had joined it, the Alliance should also join the government in an attempt to retain the unity of the PNA.

On July 13, as planned, the PNA chiefs met in Karachi and authorised Mufti Mahmood as the PNA representative to talk with Gen Ziaul Haq and convey to him that the Alliance had decided to join the military government, albeit on certain conditions that had already been conveyed to the General in their letter of May 25. If things took a positive turn, a decision to join the government could be made, but if not, the Muslim League would be asked to quit the cabinet, as per PNA decisions.

After constant efforts to establish contact, Gen Zia finally accorded Mufti Mahmood a meeting, which took place on July 26 in Karachi. At this meeting, there was a long sequence of questions and answers, with both parties holding the other responsible for creating misgivings.

During the lengthy discussion, Mahmood told the General that the Alliance’s leaders were innocent but that they too were arrested during the overthrow of Bhutto government on July 5, 977. He also told the General that he (Gen Zia) was trying to keep the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) alive while the PNA had been forced to disintegrate.

Clearing his position about the formation of a national government and announcing a cabinet on July 5, the CMLA told the PNA chief that he had also received reports about Alliance members’ activities. The General said that these reports aimed at conveying to the CMLA that the PNA leaders were stubborn and could not adjust themselves with the situation.

Regarding the viewpoint that Kashmir be included in the accord, the General said that it was wrong and out of place to include the Kashmir issue as part of the accord and to specify the PNA’s stand on Balochistan. The Mufti told the General that promises made in Murree had not been fulfilled. Besides, he said, in October last year, it was pledged that the ban on political activities would be relaxed but that too had not been done. On the contrary, political activities had been further restricted, which had crippled the PNA parties.

After the long session both men agreed to take a break. However, both agreed that talks should continue, which resumed the next day.

Next week: PNA jumps on board

shaikhaziz38@gmail.com

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, November 2nd, 2014