The coup itself was bloodless .
The coup itself was preceded by social unrest and political conflict between the ruling leftist Pakistan Peoples Party government of Bhutto , and the right - wing Islamist opposition Pakistan National Alliance which accused Bhutto of rigging the 1977 general elections .
The coup itself was bloodless , and was preceded by social unrest and political conflict between the ruling leftist Pakistan Peoples Party government of Bhutto , and the right - wing Islamist opposition Pakistan National Alliance which accused Bhutto of rigging the 1977 general elections .