Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Biography

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto serves as Foreign Minister under President Ayub Khan.

Bhutto releases Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from Pakistani custody.

Yahya Khan appoints Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Deputy Prime Minister during the final war crisis.

Bhutto also assumes the foreign affairs portfolio in Yahya Khan's government.

Bhutto becomes civilian Chief Martial Law Administrator after Yahya Khan resigns.

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto succeeds Yahya Khan as President.

Bhutto announces nationalization of major industries.

Bhutto's government later recognizes Bangladesh as an independent state.

Bhutto introduces land ceilings and redistribution measures.

Pakistan adopts an Interim Constitution pending a permanent settlement.

Bhutto lifts martial law and begins civilian constitutional government.

Bhutto begins summit negotiations with Indira Gandhi while Pakistani prisoners remain in India.

India agrees to leave Pakistani territory occupied during the 1971 war.

The 1971 ceasefire line in Jammu and Kashmir becomes the Line of Control.

Pakistan and India agree to restore communications, travel and diplomatic exchanges.

Pakistan agrees to leave Indian territory occupied during the 1971 war.

The agreement converts the ceasefire line into a mutually respected Line of Control.

Bhutto and Indira Gandhi sign the Simla Agreement to guide postwar relations.

The settlement provides reciprocal withdrawal from occupied territory in Punjab and neighboring regions.

Pakistani forces prepare to withdraw from occupied areas of Rajasthan.

Indian forces prepare to withdraw from occupied areas adjoining Sindh.

The Simla Agreement requires both countries to withdraw forces behind the international border.

The agreement commits bilateral relations to principles of the United Nations Charter.

Pakistan completes ratification steps for the Simla settlement.

Pakistan ratifies the Simla Agreement following its signature by Bhutto and Indira Gandhi.

The National Assembly unanimously approves the 1973 Constitution.

The National Assembly passes the consensus Constitution before its August commencement.

Pakistan's newly created Senate holds its first session.

The new federal structure confirms Balochistan's constitutional status.

Balochistan enters the constitutional federation as a full province.

Bhutto's government implements the Constitution's bicameral parliamentary structure.

The Constitution creates a parliamentary system with a ceremonial President.

The Constitution establishes a federation composed of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and the North-West Frontier Province.

Bhutto governs under a Constitution declaring Pakistan an Islamic federal republic.

The government begins operating under the restored Islamic Republic designation.

The constitutional text formally uses the name Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The constitutional framework protects the institutional independence of the courts.

The Constitution divides federal legislative authority between two parliamentary chambers.

The Constitution subjects the President to impeachment for constitutional violations or gross misconduct.

Bhutto transfers from the presidency to the restored office of Prime Minister.

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto becomes Prime Minister when the Constitution takes effect.

The Constitution defines Punjab as one of Pakistan's four federating provinces.

Punjab remains a federating province under the 1973 constitutional settlement.

The Constitution defines Sindh as one of Pakistan's four federating provinces.

Sindh remains a federating province under the parliamentary Constitution.

Pakistan recognizes Bangladesh during the Islamic Summit in Lahore.

Bhutto's government establishes formal relations with independent Bangladesh.

Pakistan hosts leaders of Muslim states at the Lahore Islamic Summit.

Parliament adopts the Second Amendment defining the constitutional status of Ahmadis.

Bhutto's government advances construction of the state-owned Pakistan Steel Mills complex.

Opposition parties reject the election results and allege widespread manipulation.

Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party wins the disputed 1977 general election.

Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party wins the disputed 1977 general election.

General election outcome recorded for Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto: Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party wins the disputed 1977 general election.

Government context for this general election: Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party wins the disputed 1977 general election.

The Pakistan Peoples Party secures a large National Assembly majority in the disputed poll.

Army chief Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq overthrows Bhutto and imposes martial law.

Zia dissolves the elected assemblies after seizing power.

Bhutto dies by hanging at Rawalpindi Central Jail.

The execution of the former Prime Minister provokes lasting political controversy.

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto is executed after conviction in a disputed murder case.

Bhutto's execution occurs while Zia's government expands Islamic criminal legislation.