Pakistan was founded in 1947 amid communal strife between Moslem and Hindu; its history since has been scarred by regional tension. The following is a chronology from the time of independence, when the two wings of the Moslem state of Pakistan were carved out of the Indian subcontinent - at the same time that India achieved independence.

1947 : Pakistan is set up as a separate British dominion in August with Mohannad Ali Jinnah, leader of the Moslem League, as Governor-General. Communal riots cost more than a million lives.

1951 : Pakistan’s first Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, assassinated at Rawalpindi, ushering a period of political instability and tension between East and West Pakistan.

1956 : New Constitution in March establishes the Islamic Republic of Pakistan with General Mirza as President.

1958 : Amid mounting political and economic troubles in both wings President Mirza abrogates Constitution in October and proclaim martial law. Within three weeks he resigns and hands over power to General Ayub Khan, supreme commander of the armed forces who assumes presidency by proclamation on October 28.

1959 : President Ayub introduces “basic democracy” system in June. This provides for electoral college of 80,000 “basic democrats” who elect representatives to national and provincial assemblies.


1960 : Ayub’s presidency confirmed by ballot, and he is sworn in on February 17.

1961 : President Ayub announces new Constitution which strengthen presidential powers and establishes a single Chamber Parliament divided equally between East and West Pakistan.


1965 : Ayub re-elected President. India and Pakistan fight brief war over disputed territory of Kashmir.

1969 : Following months of widespread political unrest and rioting in both wings, Ayub resigns in March. Army commander General Yahya Khan takes over presidency and imposes martial law. In November he promises general election on a one-man-one-vote basis.

1970 : President Yahya announces in March that East Pakistan is to have 169 out of 313 seats in new National Assembly - thus meeting a long-standing East Pakistani demand for representative on a population basis. General election in December give Awami League of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman 160 East Pakistan seats in Assembly. In the West, Mr. Zulkfikar Ali Bhutto’s People’s Party wins 83 seats.

1971 : President Yahya twice postpones first session of the Assembly - for
the second time on March 22 - as leaders of two wings fail to agree on new Constitution. Sessions now postponed to an unspecified date. March sees President Yahya fly to Dacca in efforts to bring two leaders together, with Sheikh Mujib assuming virtual control in East Pakistan.