Bhutto and Gen Zia

General Zia's Takeover: A Historical Insight

Initial Discussions on Power Transition

• General Chishti advised General Zia-ul-Haq to take over, but Zia expressed concerns about the potential consequences, stating "Murshid marwa na dena."

• Bhutto was warned in a meeting that if elections were not held again, he would be removed from power. His response indicated his political stance and unwillingness to hand over control.

The 90-Day Elections Plan

• There was a strong desire from Bhutto's father for the elections to occur within 90 days before stepping back from politics.

• Zia-ul-Haq acknowledged Bhutto’s past as Prime Minister and hinted at his return after the elections.

Election Integrity Concerns

• Observations revealed that polling stations were empty during the PNA call for voting due to widespread election rigging perceived by the public.

• The People's Party received more votes than registered voters, indicating successful agitation despite opposition mistakes.

Opposition's Response and Boycott

• The PNA announced a boycott of provincial elections scheduled for April 12, marking significant hesitation in Pakistan’s political landscape.

• This situation marked a historical first where negotiations occurred between opposition parties and military leadership.

Military Intervention Strategy

• A plan emerged for a long march from Karachi to the Prime Minister's house aimed at ousting Bhutto; military leaders were instructed to prevent this movement.

• On April 30, measures were taken to ensure no one reached the Prime Minister’s residence during planned protests.

The Build-Up to Military Action

Escalating Tensions

• As tensions rose, it was communicated that if new elections weren't organized soon, action would be taken against Bhutto.

• The army had initially intervened with intentions of facilitating quick elections but faced increasing unrest across the country.

Deployment Orders Issued

• Orders were given for political leaders' detention as part of preparations for military action against Bhutto’s government.

Execution of Plans

• Commanders received strict orders regarding compliance with directives issued by higher authorities concerning detaining political figures.

The Day of Takeover

Final Preparations

• On July 3rd, plans were set in motion for a coup; however, initial hesitations led to delays in executing these orders until July 4th.

Communication with Bhutto

• During phone conversations with Bhutto, Zia assured him there was no imminent threat while secretly planning the takeover.

Aftermath and Public Reaction

Immediate Consequences

• Following his ousting, there was significant public unrest; reports indicated violent reactions such as arson incidents occurring shortly after Bhutto's removal.

Security Measures Implemented

• Security arrangements became critical as tensions escalated post-takeover; measures included curfews and heightened military presence around key locations.

This structured summary captures pivotal moments leading up to General Zia-ul-Haq's takeover of power in Pakistan while providing timestamps for easy reference back to specific parts of the transcript.