Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry

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**Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry**
Image:Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry.jpg
Date of Birth:	January 1, 1904
Date of Death:	June 2, 1982
President of Pakistan
Tenure Order:	5th President
Took Office:	August 14, 1973 – September 16, 1978
Predecessor:	Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto
Successor:	Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq

Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry (January 1, 1904 - June 2, 1982) was President of Pakistan from August 14, 1973 until his resignation on September 16, 1978.

Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry was born in the city of Gujrat in the Punjab province on January 1, 1904. He studied at Aligarh University and later Punjab University from where he got a law degree, and went into practicing law.

Upon the independence of Pakistan, Chaudhry got involved in the new government, moving up to high ranking positions in the National Assembly. He would end up joining the Pakistan Peoples Party and would be made President in 1973, when the head of the PPP, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was made Prime Minister.

Chaudhry was largely a figurehead, and was the first President with less power than the Prime Minister. This was due to the new constitution of 1973 that gave power to the Prime Minister. Previously, the President had been the chief leader of Pakistan, having the power to appoint Prime Ministers.

Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry would remain President until 1978, when he would resign after the military took control of the government under General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq. Chaudhry died on June 2, 1982.