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Chief Martial Law Administrator

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The office of the Chief Martial Law Administrator was a senior government authoritative post created in countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia that gave considerable executive authority and powers to the holder of the post to enforce martial law in the country in an events to ensure the continuity of government. This office has been used mostly by military officers staging a coup d'état. On some occasions, the office has been under a civilian head of state.

Contents

Pakistan

Some famous holders of this post in Pakistan include:

  1. Field Marshal Ayub Khan (1958): held the post under President Iskander Mirza.
  2. General Yahya Khan (1968–69): held the post under President Ayub Khan.
  3. General Tikka Khan (1971): was appointed Chief Martial Law Administrator by Yahya Khan.
  4. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (1971–73): became the first civilian to hold this post in Pakistan after the Bangladesh Liberation War.
  5. General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq (1977–79): held this office under President Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry after overthrowing Prime Minister Bhutto.
  6. General Pervez Musharraf (1999–2001): held this office under President Rafiq Tarar, although it was styled as "Chief Executive of Pakistan."

Bangladesh

Some famous holders of this post in Bangladesh include:

  1. Gen. Khaled Mosharraf (1975): held this post for four days after a bloody Military coup only to be killed in a counter coup led by Col. Abu Taher, resuming Major General Ziaur Rahman's reign.
  2. Justice Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem (1975–76): held this post while serving as the 5th president of Bangladesh.
  3. Maj. Gen. Ziaur Rahman (1976–77): held this post during martial law and until withdrawal of Martial Law and assumed the presidency in 1977.
  4. Lt. Gen. Hussain Muhammad Ershad (1982): held this post until withdrawal of martial law in 1982–86.

In Bangladesh, Maj. Gen. Abul Monjur BU in 1981, Lt. Gen. A S M Nasim BB in 1996 staged abortive military coup.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, this post was briefly held by army chief Suharto, who seized power in 1965 and forced President Sukarno to resign in 1967. Sukarno had also enforced martial law during his tenure as President of Indonesia.

References

Chief Martial Law Administrator Wikipedia
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