24/01/2026
Both Ziaur Rahman and Zia-ul-Haq came to power in the late 1970s and graduated from the same military academy. Zia-ul-Haq ruled Pakistan through dictatorship, damaging democratic institutions and leaving long term political and economical instability. Ziaur Rahman rebuilt institutions, restored multiparty democracy, stabilised and laid the foundation of Bangladeshi economy.
One became a notorious dictator, hated by his people and condemned by the history while the other emerged as a great statesman and a national leader of his country.