Hybrid Rule in Pakistan

1949 - Communist Revolution in China

The Communist revolution occurs in China, destroying the regressive social structure and paving the way for economic growth.

1953 - Lahore Religious Riots

Religious riots occur in Lahore, followed by Chief Justice Muhammad Munir writing a report on the dangers of religious extremism.

1958 - Martial Law by Ayub Khan

General Ayub Khan imposes martial law.

1960 - Founding of PPP

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

1965 - War with India

A disastrous war with India occurs, leading Bhutto to leave Ayub Khan's military government.

1968 - Student Movement in Pakistan

The student movement in Pakistan begins against General Ayub Khan's military regime, leading to his downfall. Leftist movements also start in Western Europe and South America.

1971 - Indo-Pakistani War

The war between India and Pakistan.

1973 Constitution of Pakistan

The 1973 Constitution of Pakistan is enacted.

1974 - Bilateral Protocol Signed

A bilateral protocol is signed between India and Pakistan to facilitate visits to border sacred sites.

1976 - Representation of the People Act

The Representation of the People Act (ROPA) is enacted.

Herald becomes a political monthly

The Herald magazine becomes a political monthly. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto faces opposition after the 1977 elections. General Zia-ul-Haq's martial law begins, and press censorship is enforced.

1978 - China begins reform and opening-up

China initiates its reform and opening-up policy, leading to sustained economic growth.

1980 - Student unions banned

General Zia-ul-Haq bans student unions in universities.

1980 - Rise of Jihadi groups

By 1990, Jihadi groups in Pakistan increase and serve as tools for the regional policy of the Pakistan military.

1983 - Shahid Hussain joins Herald

1984

Herald is relaunched under Razia Bhatti's editorship with a new format.

1986

Herald publishes the investigative story "The Poppy War."

1988

General Zia-ul-Haq's era ends. Benazir Bhutto is elected Prime Minister. Razia Bhatti and other Herald members leave to establish Newsline.

1989

The Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) is formed by General Hamid Gul, then ISI chief, to counter Benazir Bhutto's PPP. Newsline publishes its first issue in July.

1990

Benazir Bhutto is ousted from power. Nawaz Sharif becomes Prime Minister. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) is founded by Hafiz Saeed. Newsline publishes a prominent editorial on organized terrorism and besieged media.

1993

LeT introduces itself with attacks on Indian forces in Kashmir. Benazir Bhutto becomes Prime Minister again.

August 1995

Police raid Razia Bhatti's house and Newsline office, filing a criminal case against her. Retired General Durrani exposes a political bribery case known as Asghar Khan.

1996

The PPP government falls and Asif Ali Zardari is imprisoned again.

1997

Nawaz Sharif comes to power for the second time.

October 12, 1999

General Pervez Musharraf overthrows Nawaz Sharif's government in a coup. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is established by Musharraf's military regime.

January 12, 2002

Musharraf declares five Islamic extremist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, illegal. Elections are held in Pakistan, and the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) comes to power in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

2003

The government of Pakistan lists Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) as a terrorist organization.

2004

Asif Ali Zardari is released after eight years in prison.

2007

The MMA government in KP ends. Maulana Fazlur Rehman seeks US support to become Prime Minister. Musharraf suspends the constitution and declares a state of emergency. The Lawyers' Movement begins. Benazir Bhutto is assassinated.

2008

General elections are held. Asif Ali Zardari becomes President. General Musharraf resigns under impeachment threat. The Pakistan Muslim League (Q) loses due to military manipulation in elections.

2010

The PPP government grants General Ashfaq Kayani a second service extension.

2012

The Supreme Court orders legal action against all involved in the Asghar Khan case (order never implemented).

2013

Asif Ali Zardari completes his presidential term. Imran Khan believes the election was stolen from him. Maulana Sami-ul-Haq suffers a humiliating defeat in the elections.

2014

The Pakistani Taliban attack an army school in Peshawar, killing 141 people. Imran Khan stages a four-month sit-in in Islamabad, demanding Nawaz Sharif's resignation.

2015

Rao Anwar is accused of the murder of Naqeebullah Mehsud. The Supreme Court orders local elections to be held.

2016

Nawaz Sharif appoints General Qamar Bajwa as the army chief. The Panama Papers scandal is revealed.

2017

January: Six bloggers and civil rights activists disappear in Islamabad and Punjab.

February 2017 - February

Murder of Mashal Khan by classmates at Mardan University.

March 2017 - March

Wave of widespread protests in Pakistan.

August 2017 - August

Abdul Wahid Baloch returns after four months of disappearance. Protests over lack of census announcement.

September 2017 - September

Sharif family faces trial for corruption charges. Ruling party, PML-N, wins Lahore by-election.

October 2018 - October

Imran Khan requests Atif Mian's resignation for religious reasons. Maulana Fazlur Rehman, head of JUI-F, gathers opposition support.

November 2018 - November

TLYRA protests in Islamabad. Deal between government and TLYRA mediated by ISI.

December 2018 - December

Raza Khan, a civil society activist, disappears. NAB criticized for inhumane actions and chain arrests.

2018

January: Naqeebullah Mehsud killed by police in Karachi. Political changes in Balochistan.

February 2018 - February

Shahbaz Sharif appointed as head of PML-N. Death of Asma Jahangir. Military threats due to Pulwama suicide attack.

March 2023 - March

Concerns over the 'Bajwa Doctrine' and the 18th Amendment. Senate elections are held. NAB arrests senior Punjab officials.

April 2023 - April

Military warns of hybrid warfare against Pakistan. Media faces censorship.

May 2023 - May

Supreme Court halts election delays. PML-N loses some seats.

June 2023 - June

NAB criticized for controversial candidate selections. Asif Ali Zardari arrested for money laundering.

July 2023 - July

Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz convicted of corruption. Steven Butler barred from entering Pakistan.

August 2018 - August

Imran Khan becomes Prime Minister. General Bajwa is appointed as army chief for the second time. Newsline ceases publication.

September 2019 - September

Imran Khan delivers his speech at the United Nations.

October 2019 - October

Imran Khan meets Donald Trump in Washington.

November 2019 - November

Inauguration of Kartarpur Corridor. Imran Khan attempts to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

December 2019 - December

General Musharraf is convicted of treason. The Supreme Court suspends the extension of General Bajwa's service.

2019 - January

Criticism of Imran Khan's economic policies.

June

The Supreme Court acquits judges of misconduct charges.

July

The Supreme Court criticizes NAB for its conduct.

August

Imran Khan celebrates his second year in office.