The year 1958 marked a significant turning point in Pakistan's political history with the imposition of its first martial law. Ayub Khan, who was then serving as the Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army, was appointed as the Chief Martial Law Administrator. This appointment was initially made by President Iskander Mirza, who abrogated the 1956 Constitution and dissolved the assemblies. However, Ayub Khan soon consolidated power, overthrowing Mirza himself within weeks and assuming the presidency, thereby initiating a long period of military rule in the country.
The other options are incorrect because they relate to different periods or roles. Ghulam Ishaq Khan served as President of Pakistan much later, from 1988 to 1993, and was not involved in the 1958 events. Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi is a prominent politician who served as Chief Minister of Punjab decades later, not a military figure from that era. General Zia-ul-Haq was another military dictator, but he imposed martial law in 1977, nearly two decades after Ayub Khan's takeover.