Chief Martial Law Administrator

The office of the Chief Martial Law Administrator was a senior government 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. This office has been used mostly by military officers staging a coup d'etat. On some occasions, the office has been under a civilian head of state.

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Pakistan

Some famous holders of this post in Pakistan include:

  1. Field Marshal Ayub Khan (1957-58): held the post under President Iskander Mirza
  2. General Yahya Khan (1968-69): held the post under President Ayub Khan
  3. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (1971-73): became the first civilian to hold this post in Pakistan after the Bangladesh Liberation War.
  4. General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq (1977-79): held this office under President Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry after overthrowing Prime Minister Bhutto.
  5. 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 after withdrawing martial law and assuming the presidency in 1977.
  4. Lt. Gen. Hussain Muhammad Ershad (1982): held this post after withdrawing martial law in 1982.

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.

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