<P> The economic policies proposed under the banner of "Islamisation" in Pakistan include executive decrees on Zakāt (poor - due), Ushr (tithe), judicial changes that helped to halt land redistribution to the poor, and perhaps most importantly, elimination of riba (defined by activists as interest charged on loans and securities). Perhaps the foremost exponent of Islamisation among Pakistan's rulers--General Muhammad Zia - ul - Haq--advanced a programme in 1978 to bring (according to Zia and his supporters) Pakistan law in line with the principles of Sharia law . </P> <P> Conceived in late 1977 and carried out during his reign, the programme came in response to an upsurge in Islamic activism, and the problems and controversies associated with the policies of Zia's predecessor, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto . Zia's stated intention was to "eradicate the scourge of interest" on loans and securities, and create an "interest - free economy". On January 1, 1980, approximately 7,000 interest - free counters were opened at all the nationalized commercial banks, making Pakistan the first country in the Muslim world with Islamic banking . </P> <P> However, in spite of the public support allegedly demonstrated for it (and other Islamisation policies) by the 1984 Islamisation referendum and the programme's initial gains and success, it failed to achieve international targets and to meet commercial interactions with other major international banks . Islamic activists were also displeased that Zia's ordinances and proclamations did not ban interest paying accounts . </P>

When was islamic banking system introduced in pakistan