ABSTRACT
In many respects, the military's repressive control of society, between 1977 and 1985, resembles that of successive authoritarian governments which have ruled Pakistan. None the less, the Zia period has contained a qualitative change in the relationship between state and society. The critical difference related to the ideological sphere. In 1977, the government unilaterally initiated a process referred to as Islamisation. In effect, it represented an attempt to convert Pakistan into a theocratic society. Consequently, the period between 1977 and 1984 was traumatic, even by Pakistan's standards. During this phase Pakistan's political system began to exhibit characteristics commonly associated with totalitarian regimes. The fundamentalist Islamic social code, as defined by the military, consisted of elements central to a totalitarian state:1 (i) The articulation of a comprehensive ideology which provides the raison d'etre for a particular social structure. The state is responsible for the practical implementation of this ideology. Opposition to the officially endorsed belief system is not permitted. (ii) The state has a monopoly over communications. It has complete control over the flow of information to the public. All sources of information are censored. (iii) Power is concentrated in the central government. The centre is usually dominated by a chief executive with dictatorial powers. (iv) Extensive and arbitrary powers are used by the government to enforce obedience. The extent to which the use of fear is required may vary from period to period. But powerful mechanisms exist, such as martial law, as deterrents to active political opposition.
