The history of Pakistan since its independence in 1947 is marked by significant political, social,

and economic events. Below is an overview of key moments and developments in Pakistan's
history:

1947–1950s: Independence and Early Years

 1947: Pakistan gained independence on August 14, 1947, following the partition of
British India. The country was created as a homeland for Muslims and was divided into
two regions: West Pakistan (modern-day Pakistan) and East Pakistan (modern-day
Bangladesh).
 1948: The first war between India and Pakistan broke out over the disputed region of
Kashmir. The war ended in a ceasefire brokered by the United Nations, with both
countries controlling parts of the region.
 1956: Pakistan became a republic with the adoption of its first constitution. Iskander
Mirza became the first President.
 1958: General Ayub Khan took control of Pakistan through a military coup, abrogating
the constitution. This marked the beginning of military rule.

1960s: Military Regime and Development

 1962: Pakistan adopted a new constitution under General Ayub Khan, establishing a
presidential system. This period saw significant economic development and
modernization.
 1965: The second India-Pakistan war occurred, again over Kashmir. The war ended in a
stalemate, and the subsequent Tashkent Agreement was signed in 1966.
 1969: General Ayub Khan resigned, and General Yahya Khan took power. Pakistan's
political stability was weakening, and tensions between East and West Pakistan were
rising.

1970s: Bangladesh Liberation War and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's Era

 1970: The first general elections were held. The Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman, won a majority in East Pakistan, but the central government in West Pakistan,
led by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's PPP (Pakistan People's Party), resisted transferring power.
 1971: Tensions led to the Bangladesh Liberation War, during which India intervened,
resulting in the secession of East Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh. This was a
major blow to Pakistan.
 1972: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto became the Prime Minister and signed the Simla Agreement
with India, which laid the groundwork for peaceful relations between the two countries
after the war.
 1977: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was overthrown in a military coup led by General Zia-ul-Haq.

1980s: Zia-ul-Haq's Rule and the Afghan War

 1979: General Zia-ul-Haq took control in a military coup. He implemented Islamic laws
and policies, which were controversial and led to the Islamization of the country.
  1980s: Pakistan became a key ally of the United States during the Soviet-Afghan War,
with U.S. support for Pakistan's military regime. The war caused an influx of Afghan
refugees and has had long-lasting effects on Pakistan's internal dynamics.
 1988: General Zia died in a plane crash, and his sudden death led to political instability.

1990s: Democracy and Political Turmoil

 1988: Benazir Bhutto, the daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, became the first woman to
lead Pakistan as Prime Minister.
 1990s: Pakistan saw significant political instability, with frequent changes in government.
Benazir Bhutto's PPP and Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (PML) alternated in
power.
 1999: Nawaz Sharif's government was overthrown in a military coup led by General
Pervez Musharraf after a confrontation over military decisions regarding the Kargil
conflict with India.

2000s: Musharraf's Rule and War on Terror

 2001: After the 9/11 attacks in the U.S., Pakistan became a key ally in the U.S.-led War
on Terror. General Pervez Musharraf aligned with the United States despite Pakistan's
longstanding support for the Taliban in Afghanistan.
 2002: General Musharraf formally took power and later held a controversial referendum
that granted him a five-year term as President.
 2007: Musharraf faced growing opposition, and political instability surged, particularly
after he dismissed the judiciary, leading to protests led by lawyers and political leaders.
 2008: Musharraf resigned under pressure, and elections led to a new coalition
government led by Benazir Bhutto's PPP.

2010s: Political Change and Civil Unrest

 2007-2008: The assassination of Benazir Bhutto in December 2007 during an election

rally shocked the nation and led to widespread protests. Her widower, Asif Ali Zardari,
became President in 2008.
 2013: Nawaz Sharif returned to power after his party, PML-N, won the general elections.
 2014: Pakistan saw a major political crisis with large-scale protests led by Imran Khan's
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan calling
for the resignation of Nawaz Sharif over alleged electoral fraud.
 2015-2018: Pakistan faced significant challenges, including terrorism, economic
instability, and the rise of the PTI as a political force.

2020s: Imran Khan's Government and Political Shift

 2018: Imran Khan's PTI won the general elections, and he became the Prime Minister of
Pakistan. His government promised to address corruption, improve the economy, and
strengthen Pakistan’s foreign relations.
  2020s: Pakistan faced various challenges including economic difficulties, political
instability, and tensions with neighboring India, especially regarding Kashmir and cross-
border terrorism. Pakistan also continued to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19
pandemic, which exacerbated the country’s healthcare and economic issues.
 2022: Imran Khan's government faced significant challenges, including opposition
protests and calls for his resignation. Amid political instability and a no-confidence vote,
Khan was ousted from power in April 2022. Shehbaz Sharif, the leader of the Pakistan
Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), became the new Prime Minister.

Ongoing Developments (2023–2025):

 Political Turmoil: Imran Khan, following his ousting, remains a significant opposition
figure. His party, PTI, has continued to challenge the government, and political tension
remains high.
 Economic Crisis: Pakistan has faced ongoing economic difficulties, including rising
inflation, debt, and an unstable currency. The government has been negotiating with
international organizations like the IMF for financial assistance.
 Tensions with India: The Kashmir dispute continues to be a point of contention, with
occasional flare-ups of violence.
 Terrorism and Security: Pakistan continues to face challenges from terrorist groups and
internal security concerns, despite efforts to curb extremist violence.

This timeline highlights major events in Pakistan's history, but the nation has faced continuous
challenges related to governance, security, economic development, and foreign relations.