Islamabad in History

Ayub Khan promulgates Pakistan's second Constitution, establishing a presidential system.

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

Ayub Khan continues as President following the 1965 indirect election.

The government formally establishes Islamabad as Pakistan's federal capital.

Pakistan protests India's support for the Bengali independence movement.

The government condemns Indian assistance to the emerging Bangladeshi state.

Munir Ahmad Khan becomes chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and leads its expanding nuclear program.

Bhutto announces nationalization of major industries after taking power

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.

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.

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

The Constitution establishes a National Assembly and Senate.

The 1973 Constitution defines the President as Pakistan's elected head of state.

The Constitution creates a parliamentary system with a ceremonial President.

Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry becomes President when the 1973 Constitution takes effect.

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

The Constitution affirms an independent judicial system.

Article One names the state the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Fazal Ilahi presides over the Islamic Republic created by the 1973 Constitution.

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 new Parliament combines the directly elected National Assembly with the Senate.

The Constitution divides federal legislative authority between two parliamentary chambers.

Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry begins his constitutional presidency.

Parliament elects Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry as President under the new constitutional order.

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

The Constitution assigns specified judicial and legal appointments to the President.

The Constitution provides procedures for removing or impeaching the President.

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

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

Bhutto accelerates Pakistan's nuclear-weapons effort after India's first nuclear test.

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

A. Q. Khan returns to Pakistan and becomes increasingly involved in the country's uranium-enrichment effort.

Zia suspends parts of the Constitution after the military takeover.

The military government places Pakistan under martial law.

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

Zia dissolves the elected assemblies after seizing power.

Zia's military takeover is designated Operation Fair Play.

Zia expands state policies presented as Islamization.

Zia assumes the presidency while retaining military authority.

Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq becomes President after Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry leaves office.

Akhtar Abdur Rahman becomes Director General of the ISI as the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan transforms Pakistan's security environment.

Zia promulgates the Hudood Ordinances as part of his Islamization programme.

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

Zia's government advances judicial institutions for reviewing laws under Islamic principles.

Zia initially rejects an American aid offer following the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan.

Zia-ul-Haq positions Pakistan as a frontline state opposing the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan while expanding cooperation with the United States.

Zia issues a Provisional Constitutional Order requiring judges to take a new oath.

Zia announces a programme for elections and eventual termination of martial law.

The Eighth Amendment permits the President to dissolve the National Assembly.

The government begins restoring the 1973 Constitution with substantial amendments.

Muhammad Khan Junejo becomes Prime Minister after non-party elections.

The Eighth Amendment validates martial-law measures and expands presidential dissolution powers.

Zia lifts martial law while retaining extensive presidential powers.

President Zia dismisses Prime Minister Junejo and his cabinet.

Zia dismisses Prime Minister Muhammad Khan Junejo and dissolves the National Assembly.

Zia announces new elections after removing the Junejo government.

Junejo's government ends when the President dissolves the National Assembly.

Senate chairman Ghulam Ishaq Khan becomes acting President after Zia's death.

Benazir Bhutto becomes the first woman to govern a Muslim-majority state.

Benazir Bhutto takes the oath as Prime Minister at age thirty-five.

Benazir Bhutto begins her first term as Prime Minister.

The electoral college elects Ghulam Ishaq Khan President.

Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi heads the caretaker government before national elections.

Benazir Bhutto's first government is dismissed under presidential dissolution powers.

President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dismisses Benazir Bhutto's government.

Nawaz Sharif begins his first term as Prime Minister.

Ishfaq Ahmad becomes chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and later oversees the organization during the 1998 tests.

Parliament adopts the Enforcement of Shariat Act under Nawaz Sharif.

Mir Balakh Sher Mazari leads a caretaker government after Sharif's dismissal.

President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dismisses Sharif and appoints a caretaker government.

President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dismisses Nawaz Sharif's government and dissolves Parliament.

Sharif challenges the presidential dismissal of his government.

The President dissolves the National Assembly while removing Sharif.

The Supreme Court restores Nawaz Sharif and the dissolved National Assembly.

Moeen Qureshi heads a caretaker administration after both civilian leaders resign.

Benazir Bhutto begins her second term as Prime Minister.

Farooq Ahmad Leghari becomes President of Pakistan.

Presidential powers under the Eighth Amendment end Bhutto's second government.

Benazir Bhutto leaves office after President Leghari dismisses her cabinet.

President Leghari dismisses Benazir Bhutto's second government.

Leghari dissolves the National Assembly and appoints a caretaker administration.

Malik Meraj Khalid leads the caretaker government before the 1997 election.

Parliament curbs presidential dissolution powers and strengthens party discipline through constitutional amendments.

Nawaz Sharif begins his second term as Prime Minister.

Farooq Leghari resigns after a confrontation with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Swiss authorities provide Pakistan with documents relating to corruption allegations against Bhutto and her husband.

Muhammad Rafiq Tarar becomes President of Pakistan.

Nawaz Sharif's government decides to conduct nuclear tests after India carries out a new series of tests at Pokhran.

Musharraf governs as Chief Executive while President Rafiq Tarar remains formal head of state.

Musharraf suspends constitutional government after the military takeover.

The armed forces remove Nawaz Sharif and install Pervez Musharraf as Chief Executive.

A military coup removes Nawaz Sharif from office.

Musharraf issues a provisional order governing the post-coup constitutional system.

Musharraf's government establishes the National Command Authority to oversee major decisions concerning Pakistan's nuclear forces.

The Supreme Court orders Musharraf to hold national elections by October 2002.

Musharraf announces a devolution plan establishing elected district governments.

Musharraf ends official support for the Taliban government after September 2001.

Pakistan joins the United States-led campaign against al-Qaeda and the Taliban government.

Pervez Musharraf removes President Rafiq Tarar and assumes the presidency.

Musharraf publicly defends a foreign-policy reversal toward the Taliban.

Musharraf explains Pakistan's decision to support the United States after the September attacks.

The Legal Framework Order expands presidential authority and alters parliamentary institutions.

Usmani's judicial service concludes after two decades on superior courts.

Musharraf issues constitutional changes through the Legal Framework Order before elections.

A group of Pakistan Peoples Party legislators forms PPP-Patriots and supports the governing coalition.

Justice Muhammad Taqi Usmani retires from the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Musharraf condemns terrorism and announces measures against militant organizations.

Musharraf acknowledges irregularities in the conduct of the presidential referendum.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid becomes the largest party in the elected National Assembly.

Zafarullah Khan Jamali becomes Prime Minister after the general election.

Parliament adopts the Seventeenth Amendment validating major Musharraf-era constitutional changes.

The electoral college vote constitutionally deems Musharraf elected President.

Musharraf receives a vote of confidence from the federal and provincial electoral college.

Pakistan investigates allegations that nuclear technology was transferred to Libya and other states.

Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee agree to resume a peace dialogue.

Musharraf acknowledges evidence that Pakistani scientists participated in unauthorized nuclear transfers.

Jamali resigns as Prime Minister after losing Musharraf's support.

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain becomes Prime Minister during a short transition.

Shaukat Aziz becomes Prime Minister after winning a National Assembly vote.

Benazir Bhutto accuses Musharraf's allies of obstructing democratic reform and power sharing.

Musharraf issues an amnesty ordinance covering many pending political corruption cases.

The ordinance facilitates Benazir Bhutto's return to Pakistan from exile.

Musharraf wins the presidential vote conducted by the outgoing assemblies.

The electoral college re-elects Musharraf while courts consider his eligibility.

Emergency measures remove judges, restrict media and postpone constitutional proceedings.

Musharraf declares emergency rule and suspends constitutional protections.

Authorities briefly confine Benazir Bhutto before a planned protest rally.

Muhammad Mian Soomro heads the caretaker government before the 2008 election.

Musharraf declares national mourning after Benazir Bhutto's assassination.

The Election Commission postpones parliamentary voting after Benazir Bhutto's assassination.

Pakistan reschedules the general election for February 2008.

Yousaf Raza Gillani becomes Prime Minister after the Pakistan Peoples Party's election victory.

Musharraf resigns while facing parliamentary impeachment proceedings.

Asif Ali Zardari begins his first presidential term.

Zardari signs the Eighteenth Amendment restoring parliamentary authority and provincial autonomy.

The government completes major transfers of federal functions to the provinces.

The Supreme Court disqualifies Gillani after his contempt conviction.

Raja Pervez Ashraf succeeds Gillani as Prime Minister.

Mir Hazar Khan Khoso leads the caretaker government during the 2013 election.

Nawaz Sharif begins his third term as Prime Minister.

Mamnoon Hussain becomes President of Pakistan.

Sohail Aman becomes Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force.

The Supreme Court disqualifies Nawaz Sharif from holding parliamentary office.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi succeeds Nawaz Sharif as Prime Minister.

Mujahid Anwar Khan becomes Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force.

Former Chief Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk heads the caretaker government.

Imran Khan becomes Prime Minister after the general election.

Arif Alvi begins his presidential term.

Qureshi conducts diplomatic outreach as Pakistan seeks international support for de-escalation during the February crisis with India.

Imran Khan announces that Pakistan will release captured Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman as a gesture intended to reduce tensions.

Imran Khan condemns India's removal of Jammu and Kashmir's special constitutional status.

The federal government approves restrictions and relief measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government expands emergency cash assistance during the pandemic.

Imran Khan wins a confidence vote in the National Assembly.

Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu becomes Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force.

The National Assembly removes Imran Khan through a no-confidence vote.

Shehbaz Sharif begins his first term as Prime Minister.

The President dissolves the National Assembly on the Prime Minister's advice.

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar assumes office as caretaker Prime Minister.

The National Assembly elects Shehbaz Sharif Prime Minister for a second term.

Shehbaz Sharif takes the oath for his second premiership.

The electoral college elects Asif Ali Zardari President for a second term.

Asif Ali Zardari takes office as Pakistan's President for a second time.

Ishaq Dar conducts diplomatic contacts during the escalating India-Pakistan crisis and subsequent ceasefire negotiations.

Khawaja Asif represents Pakistan's defence policy during the May 2025 confrontation and public discussions of military readiness.

Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu leads the Pakistan Air Force during the May 2025 air and missile confrontation with India.

Shehbaz Sharif leads Pakistan's civilian government as military exchanges with India intensify after Indian strikes on targets inside Pakistan.

Dar confirms Pakistan's participation in the ceasefire understanding reached after several days of intense exchanges with India.

Shehbaz Sharif's government confirms a ceasefire after several days of fighting with India.

Sharif's government announces Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos as Pakistan responds to Indian military strikes.

Pakistan's cabinet approves Asim Munir's promotion to field marshal following the May 2025 military confrontation with India.