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Forties
- Fifties
- Sixties
- Seventies
- Eighties
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Nineties
4500BC Moenjodaro built.
2500BC Harappa built.
1500BC Aryans invade valley of the River Indus.
530BC The Persian emperor, Cyrus the Great, conquers part of Punjab.
330BC Alexander the Great conquers the north of Pakistan.100AD Peshawar
becomes an important trading centre of the Kushan Empire.
711AD Arabs arrive, bringing Islam with them.
1000AD Arabs overthrown by the Turks.
1206AD Most of Pakistan becomes part of the Delhi Sultanate.
1526AD Moghuls become rulers and Islam spreads.
1740AD The Moghul Empire begins to decline.
1756AD Start of British rule.
1800AD Sikh kingdoms begin to gain power in Punjab.
1857AD Indian mutiny. The Moguls defeated by the British.
1858AD The British government assumes direct control of India.
1876AD Mohammed Ali Jinnah, "founder of Pakistan", born in Karachi,
on December 25th.
1877AD Allama Iqbal, Muslim scholar, born in Sialkot, on November 9th.
1906AD Mohammed Ali Jinnah joins All India National Congress.
1947: The first session of the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan was held on August 10 and the next day it unanimously elected Mohammad Ali Jinnah as its first President. Pakistan appears on the world map on August 14 and Mr. Jinnah was sworn in as the first Governor General. Liaquat Ali Khan becomes the first Prime Minister of Pakistan.
1948: Jinnah died on September 11. Khawaja Nazimuddin becomes the Governor General and Molvi Tamizuddin Khan elected as the Speaker of the Constituent Assembly.
1949: On March 7, the Constituent Assembly approves the Objectives Resolution and appoints a Basic Principles Committee (BPC) to evolve the fundamental principles of the country's future constitution.
1950: The BPC presents its interim report to the Constituent Assembly on September 28. But the report was hastily withdrawn amid scathing criticism from the religious groups as well as the protagonists of provincial autonomy.
1951: On January 24, a conference of 31 prominent Ulema from different school of thoughts formulated 22 fundamental principles of the Islamic state. Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated on October, 16, 1951. No one knows till now why he was assassinated, apparently, by a hired killer Said Akbar at a public meeting in Rawalpindi. Khawaja Nazimuddin steps down (or forced to step down) to become the Prime Minister on October 19. Malik Ghulam Mohammad, the Finance Minister, who had served as a civil servant in the Indian Audit Service, sworn in as Governor General.
1952: The first ethnic riots in East Pakistan against attempts to make Urdu as the national language and lack of representation for Bengalis in central administration. The BPC presents the second revised report to the Constituent Assembly on November 23. The report called for a parity of representation between East and West Pakistan in parliament elected on the basis of separate balloting for minorities. It also recommended that no law would be made in violation of the tenets of the Quran and Sunnah.
1953: Martial Law imposed in Lahore to control the sectarian riots against Qadianis. This was the first sectarian rioting in the country and the army was called for the first time to control a civil strife. Governor General, Malik Ghulam Mohammad, sacked Prime Minister Khawaja Nazimuddin (although he enjoyed confidence of the parliament) and appointed Mohammad Ali Bogra to form a government on April 17. Mr. Bogra was summoned by the G.G. from the Washington, where he was serving as Pakistan's ambassador.
1954: Governor General, Ghulam Mohammad, declared emergency in the country and dissolved the Constituent Assembly on October 24. The Assembly had passed a bill in September which made the Governor General subservient to the advice of the Prime Minister. Mohammad Ali Bogra was again called to form a new government in which Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan Army, General Mohammad Ayub Khan, became the Defense Minister. He was the first serving C-in-C to join the cabinet. Pakistan joins Baghdad Pact (later known as Central Treaty Organization after the withdrawal of Iraq) and South East Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO), a US-sponsored military alliance to contain communism.
1955: On May 10, the Federal Court, headed by Chief Justice Mohammad Munir, declared the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly as justified on the principle of state necessity. Mohammad Ali Bogra resigned and another bureaucrat, Chaudhry Mohammad Ali, was installed as Prime Minister in August. In October, Major General Iskandar Mirza becomes Governor General following the resignation of Ghulam Mohammad because of health reasons.
1956: On February 29, the Constituent Assembly approves a constitutional draft which came into effect on March 23. The constitution, based on the principle of "parity" between the two wings of the country, empowered the Federal government to strangulate the provinces. Iskandar Mirza becomes the first President of Pakistan. Hussein Shaheed Suhrawardy, who had refused to sign the 1956 constitution as a member of the Constituent Assembly, becomes Prime Minister in September.
1957: In October, Ismael Ibrahim Chundrigar replaced Suharwardy as Prime Minister. He remained in office for only 59 days and was forced to resign in December. Malik Feroz Khan Noon succeeds Chundrigar as Prime Minister. He was the seventh Prime Minister in 10 years.
1958: President Iskandar Mirza, on October 7, abrogated the constitution and imposed martial law. On Oct. 27, the Supreme Court -- in Dosso case -- upheld the imposition of martial law as constitutional. On the same day President Iskandar Mirza was forced at gun point to stepaside and hand over all power to General (later Field Marshal) Ayub Khan.
1959: Oct. 27, on the first anniversary of his seizure of power, Ayub
Khan announces the system of Basic Democracies, comprising 80,000 Basic
Democrat Wards.
1960: February 14, a referendum is held to elect the president. Ayub
Khan, being the only candidate, received 95.6 per cent of the votes cast.
On Feb. 17, Ayub Khan was sworn in as the "elected" president.
1961: May 6, the Constitution Commission, appointed by President Ayub
Khan, presents its report to the President. The Commission pinpoints the
following as the cause of the failure of the parliamentary form of government
in Pakistan: (a) lack of proper elections and defects in the constitution;
(b) undue interference by the head of state in the ministries and political
parties by the Central Government in the functioning of governments in
the provinces; and (c) lack of leadership, resulting in the lack of well
organized and disciplined parties, the general lack of character in politicians,
and their undue interference in the administration.
1962: March 1, Ayub Khan promulgates a constitution which sought to
reinforce his authority in the absence of martial law. In April, Elections
for the National and provincial assembly were held on the basis of Basic
Democracies. July, the National Assembly passes the Political Parties Act,
legalizing the formation of political parties.
1963: To avert any possibility of political agitation, Ayub Khan, in
January, amends the Political Parties Act, which provided that the politicians
disqualified under the Elected Bodies Disqualification Ordinance (EBDO)
would become liable to two years imprisonment if they indulged in any political
activity. A list of fundamental rights which were incorporated in the constitution
through the first Amendment. March 2, Pakistan and China sign a border agreement.
1964: August, the National Assembly approves the Presidential Election
Bill that called for holding of elections, on the basis of Basic Democracies,
for the President, national and provincial assemblies in early 1965. According
to the 1962 constitution, the first term of President Ayub was to expire
on August 8, 1965.
1965: January 2, Ayub Khan defeats his main opponent, Miss Fatima Jinnah
in the presidential elections amid opposition accusations of mass rigging
of the polls. September 6, the Indo-Pakistan war begins as India attacks
Pakistan. The 17-day war, when the East Pakistan was left undefended, weakened
the already fraying national ties between the two wings.
1966: January 10, Pakistan and India sign an agreement in Tashkent to
formally end the hostilities between the two countries. In February, the
leader of the East Pakistan Awami League, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman announced
his six points "charter for survival" that called for limiting the federal
government to national defense and foreign affairs.
1967: April, a conference of opposition parties in Dhaka, forms the
National Democratic Front and announces an eight-point political program
that called for limiting the federal government powers to defense, foreign
affairs, currency and federal finance and inter-provincial communications
and trade. It also called for a parliamentary form of government elected
on the basis of adult franchise.
1968: November, students launch a nation-wide protest campaign against
an ordinance which empowered the government to withdraw the degree of any
student.
1969: March 25, President Ayub Khan imposes martial law, and hands over power to the Commander-in-chief of the army, General Agha Mohammad Yahya Khan, amid mounting anti-government demonstrations
demanding resignation of Ayub Khan. March 31, General Yahya assumes the
office of President. November 28, General Yahya announces his plan to hold
general elections on the basis of adult franchise.
1970: June 30, One Unit dissolved in West Pakistan and the
four provinces -- Baluchistan, North West Frontier Province, Punjab and
Sindh -- restored. Elections scheduled to be held in October were postponed
till December because of hurricane and floods in East Pakistan. December
7, elections for the National Assembly. December 17, elections for the
provincial assemblies. The National Assembly elections accorded an overwhelming
majority in the eastern wing to the Awami League (151 out of 162 seats)
and to the Pakistan People's Party (81 out of 138 seats) in the western
wing.
1971: February 13, Yahya Khan announces that the first session of the
National Assembly will be held in Dhaka on March 3. March 26, the Awami League declares the independence of Bangladesh. March 27, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman is arrested for treason.
Yahya Khan orders military operation to suppress anti-government civil
and guerrilla movement. November 23, Indian forces attack East Pakistan
to help Bengalis. December 3, Indian forces also attack West Pakistan.
December 17, Pakistan army surrenders arms in Dkhaka and Bangladesh comes
into existence. December 20, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto takes over as President
and Chief Martial Administrator.
1972: January 2, all major industries nationalized. Jan. 30, Pakistan
quits the Commonwealth. April 20, the Supreme Court declares Yahya Khan's
martial to be illegal. April 21, the interim constitution, drafted by the
federal government, is introduced which limits the powers of the courts.
May 11, Bhutto devalues rupee by 131 per cent and begins nationalization
campaign. July 2, Pakistan and India sign Simla agreement to normalize
relations. October, a special task force, the Federal Security Force created.
November 20, Pakistan's first nuclear atomic reactor commissioned.
1973: April 10, the National Assembly approves the constitution unanimously
which comes into force on August 14. April, Baluchistan government dismissed
and the NWFP government resigns in protest. Army sent into Baluchistan
to deal with insurrection. August 28, Pakistan and India sign an agreement
in New Delhi on the return of Pakistani POWs in India and Bangladeshis
in Pakistan.
1974: February 22-24, Bhutto hosts the second Islamic summit in Lahore.
May 4, the first Constitution Amendment Act redefined the territories of
Pakistan and the eastern wing was excluded. May 18, Bhutto talks about
an "Islamic atom bomb" after India explodes a nuclear device. September 17, the second Constitution Amendment Act declares
the Qadiani sect as non-Moslems.
1975: Feb. 17, the NWFP cabinet dissolved and the province placed under governor's rule. February 18, the third Constitution Amendment Act empowered the government to detain
a person without trial upto three months. October 30, the Supreme Court
declares the NAP as illegal and held that the party had never reconciled
itself to the existence and ideology of Pakistan. November 21, the fourth
Constitution Amendment Act amends 10 articles and two schedules. December
31, Baluchistan government suspended and governor's rule imposed.
1976: September 13, the fifth Constitution Amendment Act amends 16 articles.
December 31, the sixth Constitution Amendment Act amends four articles
related to the retirement of the Supreme and High Court judges. December,
Pakistan and Bangladesh establish diplomatic relations.
1977: January 7, Bhutto announces mid-term polls and the nine opposition
parties form the Pakistan National Alliance to contest the elections. April 21, martial law imposed in Karachi, Hyderabad and Lahore amid violent anti-government demonstrations.
May 16, the seventh Constitution Amendment Act, provided that the Prime
Minister might seek a vote of confidence from the people through a referendum.
July 5, General Ziaul Haq, the hand-picked C-in-C imposes a martial law but promises to hold elections within
90 days. October 1, General Zia announces postponement of elections until
the "process of accountability has been completed." September 3, Bhutto
is arrested in the murder case of Nawab Mohammad Ahmad Khan Qasuri. November
10, the Supreme Court, in Begum Nusrat Bhutto case, unanimously validates
imposition of martial law under the doctrine of necessity.
1978: March 18, Lahore High Court sentences Bhutto and four FSF officials
to death in the murder case of Nawab Mohammad Ahmad Khan Qasuri. May 6,
the Supreme Court begins hearing an appeal against the Lahore High Court
verdict against Bhutto. September, President Chaudhry Fazal Ilahi retires
as his term of office expires and General Zia becomes president.
1979: February 6, the Supreme Court, in a majority decision, rejects
appeal of Bhutto and four others. March 25, the Supreme Court rejects a
review petition of all the five convicts. April 1, President General Ziaul
Haq rejects the mercy petition and Bhutto is executed on April 4. February,
General Zia, to legitimize military rule, begins the process of Islamization
with the promulgation of Hudood Ordinances and established Shariah Benches.
November 21, the US Embassy in Islamabad ransacked during the anti-US demonstrations.
December 27, Soviet troops enter into Afghanistan and Pakistan becomes
a front-line state for the west.
1980: January, Pakistan hosts an emergency meeting of the Islamic Foreign
Ministers to discuss the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan. May, full-fledged
Federal Shariah Court established. June 30, Zakat and Ushr Ordinance promulgated.
1981: February, Movement for Restoration of Democracy formed. March
24, General Zia promulgates a Provisional Constitutional Order, purported
to validate everything done by him since its coup, virtually ending the
independence of the judiciary -- 19 judges fired. July, Pakistan and US
sign an agreement to provide Pakistan with $ 3.2 billion economic and military
aid. August 30, Pakistan Steel Mill, built with the help of Soviet Union,
inaugurated. October 20, the US Senate lifts ban on assistance to Pakistan
imposed in 1979 over its nuclear program.
1982: July, reporting of all political news banned as Movement for Restoration
of Democracy demands elections and restoration of 1973 constitution.
1983: Army sent into Sindh to suppress revolt against the military government.
1984: December, General Zia holds a referendum on Islam to legitimize
his dictatorial rule.
1985: February, elections for the national and provincial assemblies
are held on non-party basis. March 23, Mohammed Khan Junejo appointed as
the civilian Prime Minister while martial law remains in force. November
9, the Majlis-e-Shoora (parliament) approved the controversial 8th amendment
to the constitution under the threat of martial law. December 31, martial
law lifted.
1986: Junejo forms Muslim League parliamentary party in the parliament
elected on the basis of non-party basis and formally allows the political
parties to function. April, Benazir Bhutto returns to Pakistan to a tumultuous
welcome in Lahore.
1987: May, Junejo government curtails the defense budget and limits
certain benefits to the civilian and military bureaucracy. November, Foreign
Minister, General Sahibzada Yaqub Ali Khan, replaced by Zain Nourani.
1988: April 10, explosion at the Ojheri armament depot near Rawalpindi.
April, 14, Pakistan signs on the agreement on the Soviet troops withdrawal
from Afghanistan. May 29, Prime Minister Mohammad Khan Junejo, soon after
his return from a foreign tour, sacked. June 3, Nawaz Sharif appointed
the Chief Minister of the Punjab. July 20, General Zia announces that elections
for the national assembly will be held on November 16. August 17, General
Ziaul Haq dies in a C-130 plane crash and the Senate Chairman Ghulam Ishaq
Khan takes over as the acting president. November 16, Benazir Bhutto's
PPP emerges as the largest party in the general elections. December, Benazir
sworn in as the Prime Minister; Ghulam Ishaq Khan elected as the President;
Nawaz Sharif forms government of the Punjab province; Baluchistan Assembly
dissolved.
