Cover Point

Independence Celebrations

August 14, 1947: Independence of Pakistan and India is celebrated. "Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan" speaks as the senior Pakistani officer at the Quetta Club celebration.

1948 - Death of Jinnah

"Muhammad Ali Jinnah", the founder of Pakistan, passes away. "Khawaja Nazimuddin" becomes Governor-General and "Liaquat Ali Khan" becomes Prime Minister.

1950 - Offer to Marker

"Liaquat Ali Khan" offers "Jamshed Marker" to join Pakistan's foreign service, but "Marker" declines due to family commitments.

1951 - Assassination of Liaquat

"Liaquat Ali Khan" is assassinated during a public speech in Rawalpindi. "Ghulam Muhammad" becomes Governor-General and "Khawaja Nazimuddin" is appointed Prime Minister.

1953 - Dismissal of Nazimuddin

"Ghulam Muhammad" uses Article 10 of the interim constitution to dismiss Prime Minister "Khawaja Nazimuddin". This action is considered the first coup in Pakistan's history.

1955 (August)

Iskander Mirza becomes the Governor-General of Pakistan.

1956 (February)

Pakistan becomes a republic and Iskander Mirza becomes its first President.

1956

Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, after becoming Prime Minister, establishes friendly relations between Pakistan and the People's Republic of China and leads a large delegation to Beijing.

1958 (7 October)

President Iskander Mirza abrogates the constitution and declares martial law. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto joins the cabinet as Minister of Commerce, and Ayub Khan is appointed as the head of martial law.

1958 (27 October)

Ayub Khan, in a peaceful yet dramatic move, removes Iskander Mirza from power and exiles him to London. Ayub Khan becomes the President of Pakistan.

October 1964

Jamshed Marker meets Ayub Khan and is confirmed as Pakistan's High Commissioner to Ghana.

1965

The Indo-Pakistani War occurs.

1966

Ayub Khan and Lal Bahadur Shastri sign the Tashkent Agreement. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto strongly criticizes Ayub Khan after the agreement.

1967

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto establishes the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

1968

Ayub Khan suffers a heart attack and goes to Texas for treatment, leading to a decline in his confidence and power.

1969

Ayub Khan, opposed by leaders Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, transfers his martial law authority to General Yahya Khan. Yahya Khan abolishes the constitution and declares martial law.

1969 (August)

Yahya Khan and Nixon meet at the Governor's House in Lahore, initiating plans for US-China rapprochement.

1969 (Autumn)

Jamsheed Marker meets with Yahya Khan, who announces his intention to visit Moscow.

1970 (June)

Yahya Khan visits the Soviet Union, reaching significant agreements on a steel mill and other economic issues. He declines Yuri V. Gankovsky's proposal to resume Soviet arms supply.

1971

Yahya Khan conducts free and fair elections. The Awami League (Mujib) and Pakistan People's Party (Bhutto) achieve decisive victories, leading to a political crisis.

December 1971

Pakistan loses the Indo-Pakistani War, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. Yahya Khan resigns, and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto becomes President and the first civilian Chief Martial Law Administrator.

Early 1972

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto meets with Pakistani nuclear scientists in a secret meeting in Multan, emphasizing the importance of acquiring nuclear capability for national security.

July 1972

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto signs the Simla Agreement with India, leading to the return of occupied territories and the repatriation of prisoners of war.

1972 - Nixon Visits China

Nixon visits China and signs the Shanghai Communiqué.

1973 - New Constitution of Pakistan

The new constitution of Pakistan is adopted, transferring power to the Prime Minister, with Bhutto assuming the role.

1974 - Lahore Islamic Summit

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto hosts the Lahore Islamic Summit and successfully manages the recognition of Bangladesh.

1974 - Ahmadiyya Declared Minority

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto passes parliamentary law declaring Ahmadis/Qadianis a minority.

1974 - Murder Allegation Against Bhutto

Ahmad Raza Kasuri files a murder complaint against Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

1976 - Federal Security Force Expansion

The Federal Security Force (FSF) under Bhutto reaches 18,000 personnel equipped with automatic weapons, grenades, and rocket launchers.

1977 - Controversial General Elections

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto holds general elections that are heavily rigged, leading to widespread public protests.

1977 - Military Coup by Zia-ul-Haq

General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq stages a coup, arresting Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and other political leaders. Zia-ul-Haq declares martial law.

1977 - Supreme Court Justifies Martial Law

The Supreme Court justifies Zia-ul-Haq's martial law citing the 'doctrine of necessity'.

1978 - Bhutto Declared Guilty

The Lahore High Court declares Zulfikar Ali Bhutto the 'main culprit' and sentences him to death.

1978 - Zia's Interview on Bhutto's Fate

In an interview with Gavin Young of the Observer, Zia-ul-Haq states he will release Bhutto if the Supreme Court finds him innocent, or execute him if sentenced to death.

1979 - Death of Diana Marker

Diana Marker, wife of Jamsheed Marker, passed away due to cancer.

1979 - Execution of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is executed in Rawalpindi Jail.

1979 - Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan occurs, transforming Pakistan's status from a "pariah state" to an international "hero."

1985 - End of Martial Law in Pakistan

Martial law in Pakistan is finally lifted, and Muhammad Khan Junejo is appointed as Prime Minister.

1986 - Benazir Bhutto Returns to Pakistan

Benazir Bhutto returns to Pakistan from exile and is met with widespread public support.

1986 - Operation Brasstacks

India's Operation Brasstacks leads to military tensions with Pakistan, which are managed diplomatically by Zia-ul-Haq.

1988 - Geneva Accords Signed

The Geneva Accords regarding the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan are signed.

1988 - Zia-ul-Haq Dissolves Government

Zia-ul-Haq uses his political 'nuclear option' to dissolve Prime Minister Junejo and the parliament.

1988 - General Elections in Pakistan

General elections are held in Pakistan, and Benazir Bhutto and the Pakistan People's Party win.

1988 - Benazir Bhutto Becomes Prime Minister

Benazir Bhutto is sworn in as Prime Minister of Pakistan. Ghulam Ishaq Khan becomes President.

1988 - Zia-ul-Haq's Plane Crash

General Zia-ul-Haq's plane crashes in the Bahawalpur desert, killing him and US Ambassador Arnold Raphel. Ghulam Ishaq Khan becomes President.

1989 - Benazir Bhutto Visits Washington D.C.

Benazir Bhutto visits Washington D.C. and addresses the US Congress.

1990 - Nawaz Sharif Becomes Prime Minister

Nawaz Sharif is appointed as the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

1991 - General Asif Nawaz Appointed Army Chief

General Asif Nawaz replaces General Aslam Beg as the Army Chief.

1992 - Nawaz Sharif Leads Pakistani Delegation

Nawaz Sharif leads the Pakistani delegation at the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCTAD) in Rio de Janeiro.

1993 - General Asif Nawaz Passes Away

General Asif Nawaz dies of a heart attack, and General Abdul Waheed Kakar replaces him.

1993 - Ghulam Ishaq Khan Dismisses Nawaz Sharif

Ghulam Ishaq Khan dismisses Nawaz Sharif using Article 8 powers.

July 1993 Agreement

General Waheed Kakar mediates an agreement leading to the resignation of both Ghulam Ishaq Khan and Nawaz Sharif. A neutral interim government is formed to conduct elections, with Moeenuddin Qureshi appointed as interim Prime Minister.

1993 - Free Elections Held

Moeen Qureshi conducts free and fair elections leading to the victory of the Pakistan People's Party.

1993 - Benazir Bhutto Becomes Prime Minister Again

Benazir Bhutto becomes Prime Minister for the second time.

1993 - Death of Muhammad Khan Junejo

Muhammad Khan Junejo passes away due to cancer.

1994 - UN Peace Conference Organized

General Pervez Musharraf organizes the UN Peace Conference at GHQ in Rawalpindi. Jamsheed Marker participates.

1996 - General Jahangir Karamat Appointed Army Chief

General Jahangir Karamat replaces General Abdul Waheed Kakar as the Army Chief.

1996 - Murtaza Bhutto's Death

Murtaza Bhutto, brother of Benazir Bhutto, passed away.

1997 - Nawaz Sharif's Second Term

Nawaz Sharif becomes Prime Minister for the second time with a decisive majority.

1998 - Musharraf Appointed Army Chief

Nawaz Sharif appoints General Pervez Musharraf as Army Chief.

1998 - Pakistan's Nuclear Tests

Pakistan conducts six nuclear tests in response to India's nuclear tests.

1999 - Tensions After Kargil Conflict

Relations between Pakistan and India deteriorate after the Kargil conflict.

October 1999

Pervez Musharraf seizes power following the hijacking of his plane and the arrest of Nawaz Sharif, forcing Nawaz Sharif into exile in Saudi Arabia.

October 5, 2007

Pervez Musharraf issues the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

2008

Pervez Musharraf resigns.