In Pakistan, Islam and majority rule don't mix

President Muhammad Zia ul-Haq said Islam, which his military government wants to enforce in Pakistan, does not include a belief in majority rule.

General Zia said the Islamic concept of democracy was slightly different from the one prevailing in Western countries - things should be done according to people's wishes, but if the majority wanted something against Islamic principles , it is unacceptable. Zia twice postponed elections since he seized power in July 1977. He promised last month to announce the outlines of an Islamic system of government in a year.