Eighth (8th) amendment to the constitution of Pakistan .

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As we know that Zia-ul-Haq was a dictator who imposed martial law in the country on 5 July 1977. However, over time, his position was getting weaker. Internal and external pressure compelled him to move toward a democratic setup. Although he was ready to move toward democracy, he wanted to remain the President of Pakistan with considerable powers. For this purpose, he was to introduce some radical changes in the Constitution. Before making any serious changes to the Constitution, Zia-ul-Haq decided to strengthen his position by getting himself elected the President of the country. The objective situation of the time suggested that Zia-ul-Haq couldn't win an election if there were a fair and free election. So, he decided to hold a referendum with a trickery question.

The referendum was held on 19 December 1984. It did not directly seek a vote of confidence for President Zia-Ul-Haq, but rather an approval for the process of Islamization that the military government had initiated in 1979. The following was the question in the referendum:

“Do you endorse the process initiated by the President of Pakistan, General Mohammad Ziaul Haq, for bringing the laws of Pakistan in conformity with the injunctions of Islam as laid down in the Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and for the preservation of the ideology of Pakistan, and are you in favor of continuation and further consolidation of that process and for the smooth and orderly transfer of power to the elected representatives of the people?”

This question was to be answered in “YES” or “NO”. An affirmative vote means the election of Zia-ul-Haq for a five-year term. It was very difficult for the common people to answer the question in refutation. The election commission declared that the voting was fair and free and turnout was 62%, and 97% of people cast an affirmative vote.