In spite of martial law restrictions, almost 5000 delegates participated along with observers from a wide range of parties. It was a historical congress and a huge step for MKP. The merging of the MKP and PWP signified a unification of the party having the largest peasant base with the party having the largest trade union base, making the MKP a true workers’ and peasants’ party. Resolutions and the political program implemented at the congress showed the maturity and realism of the new party, and also illustrated the potential of forging left unity. The unity congress also elected Afzal Bangash as president of the MKP, Fatehyab Ali Khan as Senior Vice-President and Shaukat Ali as Secretary-General. Mirza Mohammad Ibrahim, a veteran labour leader, was elected to the Central Working Committee of the party. Pakistan Mazdoor Kisan Party was formally adopted as the name of the party. A message of solidarity was also sent by Benazir Bhutto. All in all, the congress was an indication of the end of the political isolation of the MKP and the entry into mainstream politics, while keeping its distinct character. The MKP played a fundamental role in the popular struggle against the military regime of General Zia ul-Haq. In early 1981, it had a significant role in forming the united front called Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD). The PNA also attracted other leftist groups, and was merged with the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), "Surkh Parcham Mahaz-Punjab Jamhoori Front" (PJF) and "Muttahida Mazdoor Mahaz" in Punjab. Much of the character of the MKP was owed to the contributions of parties and organisations merging with it. In 1985 martial law was lifted and MKP president Afzal Bangash returned to Pakistan in mid-1986. At this point although the MKP was officially one single party, internally it was divided in two factions:  Soon after his return, Afzal Bangash decided to merge his MKP faction with Khan Abdul Wali Khan's National Democratic Party (NDP) thus creating the new Awami National Party (ANP). However, Fatehyab Ali Khan's faction did not follow the merger with the NDP, instead it continued on as MKP, now calling itself "Mazdoor Kisan Party Pakistan". In October 1986, Bangash died. The death of Bangash signaled the decline of MKP as a significant political force in Pakistan, and the next few decades were to be tumultuous for the party.