*Date:* August 17, 2025 : Pakistan’s military ruler and president, *Gen.Muhammad Zia‑ul‑Haq*, died on *August 17, 1988* when the Pakistan Air ForceC‑130 “Pak‑One” crashed shortly after takeoff from Bahawalpur. Also killedwere *U.S. Ambassador Arnold L. Raphel*, Gen. *Akhtar Abdul Rahman*, andover two dozen others. Despite multiple inquiries and decades ofspeculation, *no perpetrator has been officially identified*. The HarvardCrimsonlink)What the official probes said
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A Pakistan Air Force board of inquiry *ruled out pilot error, mechanical failure, or a ground‑launched attack (missile/bomb)* as the cause—pointing toward *sabotage* but *without naming culprits*. Contemporary U.S. reporting on the government’s summary reached similar conclusions. (Los Angeles Times link ) –
U.S. experts joined the investigation within days, but their participation did not produce a conclusive public finding about who, if anyone, orchestrated the crash. (CIA link ) –
Later judicial efforts—such as the *Shafi‑ur‑Rahman Commission* convened years after the crash—were hampered and *did not deliver a definitive, public attribution*.
The leading theories (none proven)
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*Foreign intelligence hit:* Over the years, commentary and some former diplomats have speculated about possible involvement by *Mossad*, the *CIA*, or the *KGB*—reflecting Cold War rivalries and Zia’s role in the Afghan jihad. These claims remain *allegations without hard proof*. (The Guardian link, The Express Tribune link ) –
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*Internal conspiracy:* Zia’s son *Ejaz‑ul‑Haq* and various Pakistani figures have periodically alleged involvement by rivals inside Pakistan’s power structure; again, *no charges or verified evidence* have emerged publicly. (Anadolu Ajansı link ) –
*Exotic methods (mango crates/chemical agents):* Media features and interviews have floated ideas ranging from *exploding mango crates*to *chemical agents/nerve gas*; official summaries available to the public have *not confirmed* these scenarios. (Anadolu Ajansı link )
Why it’s still a mystery
The wreckage evidence was limited, some records remain classified orincomplete, and key investigative reports released to the press were*summary‑level* rather than full forensic dossiers. As a result, historiansand journalists continue to describe Zia’s death as *an unsolved case ofsuspected sabotage*—with *no consensus on who did it*. (Dawnlink,——————————Bottom line
*No one has been officially named or convicted for killing PresidentZia‑ul‑Haq.* The weight of public reporting indicates *sabotage* as thelikely cause of the crash, but *attribution remains unproven* and contestedto this day. (Los Angeles Timeslink,