Zulfikar Ali Bhutto became the Prime Minister in 1971. He nationalized basic industries, banks and insurance, and strengthened ties with China in an attempt to balance the threat from India.

	Bhutto accompanied by Premier Chou En-lai, 1972

Bhutto's downfall came when the opposition parties demonstrated against alleged riggings in the general elections of 1977.

	General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq

General Zia-ul-Haq imposed Martial Law in July 1977. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was convicted for murder of the father of a dissident PPP politician, by the Lahore High Court. Later, the Supreme Court upheld his death sentence, which was carried out on April 4, 1979.

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