Yes that why he had to hold a fraud referendum in which he hid behind the religion to get himself elected and that also by rigging the elections. Enough said. He was and will always remain the most unpopular and third rate ruler we had.
when in an election there is only person as a candidate poll turn out is always low as ppl know that there is gonna no change in the regime. like in Hala there have never massive campaign during election as everybody knows that Makhdoom Amin fahim will easily win.
the same thing about refrandum of mr mushharaf. my sister went to cast the vote and saw a person designated there stamping yes on the ballet books.
further ppl of Pakistan are used to of military regime and they knew that he would remain in the power coz there was void of leadership in that period and zia was US favourite coz of his prominent and leading role in the afghan war. further it is not true to say that zial ul haq marhoom was not popular. he was very popular in all the provinces specially in NWFP and Punjab.
due to creation of MQM in sindh that has soft corner for him so he had no real opposition from the general public except for the PPP (who had got no successor after ZAB capital punishment granted by the court in a murder case.......... her daughter BB was too young to lead her party.)
further ZAB autocratic style and his habit of manipulte the politicians and his corruption makes the polictican unpopular. further ZAB "enlightened moderation" was not acceptable to the most of practicing muslims of pakistan .............. all these factors makes the thing easier for late general.