Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was accused of rigging the elections of 7thMarch 1977. Pakistan National Alliance (PNA) started a country-wide movement against the Bhutto government on March 14, 1977. Talks between PNA and the Bhutto government were held in June 1977 and an agreement was reached but could not be implemented.
On July 5, 1977, the Chief of Army Staff, General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq imposed Martial Law and the previously announced elections of October 15, 1977, were postponed. General Zia-ul-Haq announced holding of elections within 90 days.

A conference of political leaders was held in February 1978, but a year later, in 1979, General Zia-ul-Haq declared political parties to be defunct and certain political leaders were disqualified.

Under Zia’s martial law, there was steady economic growth favoring the private sector, and efforts were made to Islamise the political, legal and economic structures. Pakistan gained the status of the Most Favored Nation from the United States following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979. Vast amounts of military equipment and aid were donated to Pakistan to help the four million Afghan refugees who crossed into Baluchistan and North-West Frontier Province (NWFP).

On February 6, 1981, Movement for Restoration of Democracy (MRD) was established to return democracy to Pakistan. A provisional Constitution was enforced on March 23, 1981, after the Constitution of 1973 was suspended with the imposition of Martial Law.