Born to Be Hanged

1928 - Birth of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was born in Larkana, Sindh. His father, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, was a prominent politician.

1934 - Shah Nawaz Bhutto Joins Bombay Cabinet

Shah Nawaz Bhutto joined the Bombay State Cabinet as a representative of Sindh, and the family moved to Bombay.

1937 - Zulfikar Bhutto Enters Cathedral School

At the age of 9, Zulfikar Bhutto entered the Cathedral Boys' School in Bombay.

1943 - Bhutto Writes to Jinnah

At age 15, Zulfikar Bhutto wrote a letter to Muhammad Ali Jinnah, expressing support for the idea of Pakistan and his distrust of Hindus and Congress politics.

1943 - Jinnah Responds to Bhutto

Muhammad Ali Jinnah replied to Zulfikar Bhutto's letter, encouraging him to study politics deeply and not to neglect his education.

1945

Zulfikar Bhutto went to Mussoorie with his friends Piloo Mody and Jahangir Mogaseth.

1947

Shahnawaz Bhutto moved to Junagadh, a small autonomous state, and became the Dewan of the Nawab of Junagadh.

1947

Zulfikar Bhutto went to the University of California, Berkeley for higher education and became acquainted with Marx's works.

1948

Zulfikar Bhutto joined the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and transferred to Berkeley after a year.

1950

Zulfikar Bhutto graduated with honors in political science from Berkeley and went to Oxford to study international law. He was also admitted to Lincoln's Inn.

1951

Zulfikar Bhutto married Nusrat Isfahani.

1952

Zulfikar Bhutto graduated in law from Oxford University and then taught international law at the University of Southampton.

1953

Zulfikar Bhutto returned to Pakistan due to his father's illness, practiced law in Karachi, and taught constitutional law at Sindh Muslim Law College.

June 21, 1953

The first child of Zulfikar and Nusrat Bhutto, Benazir, was born.

1954

Zulfikar and Nusrat Bhutto had a son named Ghulam Murtaza.

September 30, 1955

The assembly passed the 'One Unit Scheme' to merge the provinces and princely states of West Pakistan. Zulfikar Bhutto opposed the scheme.

1957

Zulfikar Bhutto was sent as a member of the Pakistani delegation to the United Nations and at the age of 29, he spoke at the Sixth United Nations Conference on the 'Definition of Aggression'.

October 25, 1957

Zulfikar Bhutto spoke at the Sixth United Nations Conference on the 'Definition of Aggression'.

February 1958

Zulfikar Bhutto delivered five speeches at the International Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

October 27, 1958

Zulfikar Bhutto, at the age of 30, was sworn in as the youngest member of the federal cabinet in Pakistan's history under General Ayub Khan.

1960

Zulfikar Bhutto was the first minister to lead a delegation to Moscow for negotiations on joint oil investment with the Soviet Union.

March 2, 1963

Zulfikar Bhutto signed the China-Pakistan border agreement.

August 1964

Zulfikar Bhutto received the Hilal-e-Pakistan award.

August 1965

Operation Gibraltar by Pakistan to infiltrate Kashmir began.

September 6, 1965

India crossed the international border, marking the start of the 1965 war.

September 22, 1965

Zulfikar Bhutto, as Pakistan's Foreign Minister, delivered a significant speech at the UN Security Council on Kashmir, calling for a thousand-year war.

September 28, 1965

Zulfikar Bhutto delivered a longer speech at the UN General Assembly on the Kashmir conflict.

January 10, 1966

Ayub Khan and Lal Bahadur Shastri signed the Tashkent Agreement. Zulfikar Bhutto strongly opposed this agreement.

June 1966

Zulfikar Bhutto resigned from the federal cabinet and subsequently began a three-month tour of Europe with his wife.

June 21, 1966

Zulfikar Bhutto received a historic welcome in Lahore.

Autumn 1966

Dr. Mubashir Hassan and J.A. Rahim decided in Paris to persuade Zulfikar Bhutto to form a new party.

October 1966

J.A. Rahim drafted and printed the manifesto of the Pakistan People's Party.

February 1967

Ayub Khan's ministers began undermining Zulfikar Bhutto's credibility and his role as a minister.

June 1967

The first assassination attempt on Zulfikar Bhutto occurred at a public meeting in Gul Bagh, Lahore.

November 30, 1967 - November 30

December 1, 1967: The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) was founded at an inaugural convention in Lahore with four slogans: "Islam is our faith; democracy is our politics; socialism is our economy; all power to the people."

December 1967

Zulfikar Bhutto wrote a letter to S. M. Yusuf, the Foreign Minister, criticizing the ministry's stance on the PPP's statement regarding Assam's special status.

January 1968

Zulfikar Bhutto delivered speeches across the country discussing the PPP's agenda and the incompatibility of socialism with Islam.

29 January 1968

Zulfikar Bhutto addressed the women of the party in Lahore, assuring them of their rightful place in the country.

21 February 1968

Zulfikar Bhutto supported students, lawyers, and workers at the Nawabshah Bar Association and criticized the government's exploitative system.

15 June 1968

Zulfikar Bhutto wrote to Mustafa Khar expressing satisfaction with his speech in the National Assembly and emphasized his potential as a future PPP leader.

September 1968

During his visit to the United States, Ayub Khan was questioned by the media for sending Zulfikar Bhutto to the United Nations.

November 7, 1968

Zulfikar Bhutto visited Pindi Gheb to express condolences to Abdul Hamid's family after hearing about a student's death in a police shooting.

November 8, 1968

Another assassination attempt on Zulfikar Bhutto occurred in Multan.

November 13, 1968

Zulfikar Bhutto was arrested in Lahore on charges of anti-national activities.

November 1968

January 1969: Zulfikar Bhutto wrote numerous letters from prison to his colleagues, especially Mubashir Hassan, advising on party strategy and the country's political situation.

December 28, 1968

J.A. Rahim proposed Zulfikar Bhutto's candidacy for the presidency at the Lahore Bar Association.

January 23, 1969

Zulfikar Bhutto filed a writ petition in the West Pakistan High Court in Lahore, denying charges of inciting violence.

February 1969

The West Pakistan High Court accepted Zulfikar Bhutto's writ petition and called for his release from prison and house arrest.

February 17, 1969

Ayub Khan announced the lifting of the state of emergency and the release of Zulfikar Bhutto and all political prisoners.

February 18, 1969

Zulfikar Bhutto received an unprecedented welcome on his train journey from Lahore to Larkana and delivered a speech near the Quaid-e-Azam's mausoleum.

March 25, 1969

Ayub Khan resigned and Yahya Khan took over power.

June Meeting

June 6, 1969: Talks were held between Yahya Khan and Zulfikar Bhutto.

1969 - Election Commissioner Appointed

President Yahya Khan announced the appointment of a chief election commissioner to prepare for general elections within the next 12 to 18 months.

1969 - Press Statement on East Pakistan

Mubashir Hassan issued a press statement about the critical situation in East Pakistan and the need for its autonomy after returning from Dhaka.

1969 - Attack on Bhutto

During his visit to Multan and Bahawalpur, Zulfikar Bhutto was attacked by Jamaat-e-Islami thugs in Sadiqabad, injuring several party workers.

1969 - Condemnation of Attacks

Mubashir Hassan issued a press statement condemning the Jamaat-e-Islami attacks on the Pakistan People's Party.

January 13, 1970

J.A. Rahim wrote a letter to Maulana Noorul Amin, head of PPP Dhaka, apologizing for Zulfikar Bhutto's inability to attend the peasants and workers conference hosted by Maulana Bhashani.

March 3, 1970

Mubashir Hassan replied to the district commissioner's letter, emphasizing the party's decision to hold a public gathering at Mochi Gate Lahore on March 8.

March 8, 1970

Zulfikar Bhutto held a massive public gathering at Mochi Gate Lahore, which was attended by a large crowd despite the rain.

April 8, 1970

J.A. Rahim wrote a letter to Mubashir Hassan about the importance of celebrating International Workers' Day.

May 1, 1970

The Pakistan People's Party, led by Zulfikar Bhutto, held a grand rally in Lahore to celebrate International Workers' Day.

April 1, 1970

Mubashir Hassan issued a press statement condemning the assassination attempt on Zulfikar Bhutto in Sanghar, Sindh.

June 8, 1970

Mubashir Hassan issued a press statement condemning Maulana Maududi as an agent of US imperialism and monopoly capitalism.

August 23, 1970

J.A. Rahim wrote a letter to Zulfikar Bhutto criticizing his decision to ignore the party's ideological principles and restructure it.

September 30, 1970

J.A. Rahim held a press conference addressing the internal conflicts within the PPP.

December 7, 1970

The first general elections were held in Pakistan, with the Awami League led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman winning decisively in East Pakistan and the Pakistan People's Party led by Zulfikar Bhutto winning in West Pakistan.

1970 - Mujib's Six-Point Demand

Mujib Rahman called for a constitution based on his six-point formula.

1971 - Postponement of National Assembly

Yahya Khan postponed the opening of the National Assembly.

1971 - Protests in Dhaka

The decision to postpone the National Assembly faced strong protests in Dhaka.

1971 - Bhutto's Willingness to Negotiate

Zulfikar Bhutto announced his party's readiness to negotiate with the Awami League on the constitution.

1971 - Bhutto Arrives in Dhaka

Zulfikar Bhutto arrived in Dhaka to participate in talks between President Yahya Khan and Sheikh Mujib Rahman.

March 23, 1971

Yahya Khan suddenly left Dhaka, and the Pakistani army began military operations in East Pakistan.

March 26, 1971

The underground radio declared the People's Republic of Bangladesh independent. Yahya Khan outlawed the Awami League and arrested Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

April 19, 1971

The civil war between the two parts of the country began.

November 23, 1971

Yahya Khan declared a state of emergency due to "foreign aggression."

December 15, 1971

Zulfikar Bhutto delivered his "farewell" speech at the UN Security Council, accusing it of "legalizing aggression."

December 16, 1971

The Pakistani army unconditionally surrendered in East Pakistan.

December 20, 1971

President Yahya Khan resigned, and Zulfikar Bhutto was sworn in as President and Chief Martial Law Administrator (CMLA) of Pakistan.

December 21, 1971

President Zulfikar Bhutto issued orders to commute all death sentences to life imprisonment, abolish flogging as punishment, and withdraw all military cases against students, workers, and peasants.

January 2, 1972

Zulfikar Bhutto nationalized control of 10 basic industrial groups.

January 8, 1972

Mujib Rahman was released from prison and returned to Bangladesh via the UK.

January 24, 1972

Zulfikar Bhutto announced that he would not immediately restore full democracy and needed martial law powers for land and industrial reforms.

January 30, 1972

Pakistan withdrew from the Commonwealth in protest against the recognition of Bangladesh by the governments of the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

1972 - Zulfikar Bhutto's Official Visit to China

Zulfikar Bhutto made an official visit to China.

1972 - Land Reforms Announced

Zulfikar Bhutto announced a land reform program.

1972 - Military Leadership Changes

Zulfikar Bhutto dismissed army and air force chiefs Gul Hassan and Abdul Rahim Khan, appointing General Tikka Khan and Air Marshal Zafar Chaudhry as new chiefs.

1972 - Nationalization of Life Insurance Companies

Zulfikar Bhutto announced the nationalization of all life insurance companies.

1972 - Interim Constitution Enacted

The interim constitution was enacted, martial law was lifted, and Zulfikar Bhutto was sworn in as President under the new constitution.

1972 - Simla Agreement Signed

The Simla Agreement was signed between President Zulfikar Bhutto and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

1972 - Bhutto Praises Mubashir Hassan

Zulfikar Bhutto praised Mubashir Hassan for opposing his son Murtaza Bhutto's $100 request to attend the Munich Olympics.

1972 - Pakistan Leaves SEATO

Pakistan withdrew from SEATO and activated its membership in CENTO.

1973 - Governors Dismissed

Zulfikar Bhutto dismissed the governors of the North-West Frontier Province and Balochistan.

1973 - New Constitution Adopted

The new constitution was adopted.

1973 - Senate Elections

The Senate elections were held, and the PPP won 33 out of 45 seats.

1973 - Recognition of Bangladesh's National Assembly

The National Assembly of Bangladesh was recognized.

1973 - Zulfikar Bhutto Elected Prime Minister

Zulfikar Bhutto was elected as the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

1973 - Prisoner Exchange Agreement Signed

An agreement for the exchange of Pakistani prisoners with India was signed.

1973 - Emergency Powers Extended

The government's emergency powers were extended until March 1974.

1973 - Resignation of Akbar Bugti Accepted

Zulfikar Bhutto accepted the resignation of Akbar Bugti, the Governor of Balochistan.

1973 - Resignation of Mumtaz Bhutto Accepted

Zulfikar Bhutto accepted the resignation of Mumtaz Bhutto, the Chief Minister of Sindh.

1974 - Islamic Foreign Ministers Flew to Dhaka

Foreign ministers of Islamic countries flew from Lahore to Dhaka to ensure Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's presence at the Lahore summit.

Lahore Summit

February 24, 1974: The three-day Islamic Summit Conference was held in Lahore. Zulfikar Bhutto officially recognized Bangladesh.

1974 - Emergency Extended

The state of emergency was extended by Parliament for six months.

1974 - Punjab Chief Minister Resigns

Ghulam Mustafa Khar resigned as Chief Minister of Punjab and was replaced by Muhammad Hanif Ramay.

1974 - Governor Resignation

Aslam Khattak, Governor of the North-West Frontier Province, resigned and was succeeded by Major General Syed Ghawas.

1975 - Minister Assassinated

Hayat Muhammad Khan Sherpao, Minister of the North-West Frontier Province, was killed in a bombing.

1975 - Governor's Rule Imposed

Governor's rule was imposed in the North-West Frontier Province.

1975 - US Arms Embargo Lifted

The US arms embargo against India and Pakistan was lifted.

1975 - Ghulam Mustafa Khar Reappointed

Ghulam Mustafa Khar was reappointed as the Governor of Punjab.

1976 - Tribal Leadership Abolished

The tribal leadership system was abolished with immediate effect.

1976 - Zia-ul-Haq Appointed Army Chief

Lieutenant General Zia-ul-Haq was appointed as the new Chief of Army Staff.

April 15, 1976

Trial of 44 prominent members of the National Awami Party (NAP) in Hyderabad began on charges of conspiracy, waging war against Pakistan, and high treason.

July 17, 1976

Zulfikar Bhutto announced the nationalization of flour mills, rice husking, and cotton ginning factories.

December 6, 1976

Sardar Muhammad Khan Barozai was elected as the Chief Minister of Balochistan.

January 5, 1977

New land reforms were implemented.

January 11, 1977

A coalition of 9 parties (PNA) was formed to contest elections against the PPP.

March 7, 1977

General elections were held, and the Pakistan People's Party achieved a decisive victory. The opposition alleged electoral fraud.

March 9, 1977

PNA leadership announced that their successful candidates would not take their seats in the National Assembly and called for a peaceful general strike and protest demonstrations.

March 10, 1977

Provincial elections were held without incident.

March 23, 1977

Zulfikar Bhutto called for cooperation from PNA leaders.

March 25, 1977

24 PNA leaders were arrested or placed under house arrest.

1977 - Zulfikar Bhutto Sworn In

Zulfikar Bhutto was sworn in as Prime Minister.

1977 - Election Commission Annuls Elections

The Election Commission annulled National Assembly elections in six Punjab constituencies due to serious irregularities and called for new elections.

1977 - PPP Members Resign

Several prominent PPP members resigned from the party or government positions.

1977 - Bhutto Bans Alcohol and Gambling

Zulfikar Bhutto announced a ban on alcohol, gambling, and liquor stores.

1977 - Military Coup

The military staged a coup. Key government and PNA members were arrested, national and provincial assemblies were dissolved, and a military regime led by General Zia-ul-Haq was established.

September 3, 1977

Zulfikar Bhutto was arrested in Karachi on charges of conspiracy to murder and transferred to Lahore.

September 12, 1977

Zulfikar Bhutto pleaded not guilty and was released on bail the next day.

September 17, 1977

Zulfikar Bhutto was arrested again in Larkana.

September 22, 1977

Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Yaqub Ali Khan, who accepted Nusrat Bhutto's petition against the legality of martial law, was forced to retire.

October 9, 1977

Justice Maulvi Mushtaq Hussain, Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, revoked Zulfikar Bhutto's bail.

1977 - Supreme Court Dismisses Nusrat Bhutto's Detention Petition

The Supreme Court rejected the legal detention petition of Nusrat Bhutto.

1978 - Conviction in Nawab Muhammad Ahmad Khan Murder Case

All accused in the murder case of Nawab Muhammad Ahmad Khan were found guilty and sentenced to death.

1978 - Protests Held in Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi

Protests were held in Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi.

1978 - Zulfikar Bhutto Appeals to Supreme Court

Zulfikar Bhutto submitted his appeal to the Supreme Court.

1979 - Supreme Court Rejects Zulfikar Bhutto's Appeal

The Supreme Court rejected Zulfikar Bhutto's appeal.

February 10, 1979

President Zia announced that Pakistan's legal system would be replaced with traditional Islamic code.

April 4, 1979

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was executed in Rawalpindi prison.