In a verdict passed on 30 Aug, 2005 the Dhaka High Court declared the seizures of power by military coups between 1975 and 1979, including Zia's military regime as "unlawful and unconstitutional". Zia's martial law decrees, his ascendeny to the presidency in 1977 and the referendum held in 1978 were declared "unknown to the constitution." The court ruling overruled the Indemnity Act by which these very events were accorded a legal status and enshrined in the constitution.Former US president Ronald Reagon praised him for his leadership and said that "The United States-indeed the world-had come to respect President Zia's profound and compassionate commitment to a better life for his people and his dedication to the rule of law . His wisdom in International affairs will be sorely missed."
Zia's economic reformsin rebuilding the nation, his move towards Islam, his nationalist vision brought him the support of much of Bangladesh's Muslim majority population. He was free corrupt practices and led a simle life. He used to take his food from military canteen which other army personnel took.
Ziaur Rahman was suevived by his wife Begum Khaleda Zia and his two sons Tareq Rahman and Arafat Rahman.
