Getting Pakistan to the relatively stable state that it’s in today has been an arduous series of unfortunate events. This independent, democratic state is the result of a lot of bloodshed and sacrifices made on both sides across the border. On it’s 71st year since inception, we take you on a visual journey through Pakistan’s erratic past in hopes that we can leave this history in the past and make progress towards a brighter tomorrow.
- Jinnah arrives in Karachi with his sister as Pakistan nears its formation.
- First official Pakistani newspapers announce the subcontinent’s division into two separate states.
- Millions struggle to cross the border after partition.
- Jinnah is officially appointed as Governor General with a peaceful transition of leadership from Lord Mountbatten.
- Ordinary people now divided between religious lines struggle with forced migration
- Quaid-E-Azam passes away in 1948 on September 11th
- Liaqat Ali Khan’s wife meets Walt Disney in 1951.
- In 1955 the second constituent assembly is formed.
- Just 3 years later in 1958, the assembly is abolished in favour of martial law .
- In 1959 Abdul Khalique won the 1st international gold medal in the Commonwealth games.
- In 1961 Queen Elizabeth 2nd takes a tour of Karachi.
- In 1965 the Indo Pak war begins.
- In 1967 Pakistan makes it first horror film called Zinda Lash.
- In 1971 the war over East Pakistan (now modern day Bangladesh) comes to an end as Pakistan surrenders.
- 3 years later a special stamp is signed for the 90,000 POW’s of 1971 held in India.
- Martial law makes a repeat appearance in 1977.
- Journalists protesting against Indian media policy are arrested.
- Bhutto is replaced by Zia-ul-Haq.
- Bhutto is convicted of murder in 1979 and sentenced to be hanged.
- Zia introduces Islamization at all sectors of Pakistan in 1979.
- Journalists protest against the conservative laws and are flogged on the streets by policemen.
- Women protesting against Zia’s extreme policies in 1980.
- In 1981 Salamulla Tipu hijacks a Pakistan International Airlines plane
- Anti-Zia protests gain momentum in 1981 as women take to the streets.
- Habib Jalib is arrested for the 3rd time in Lahore for standing up against Zia’s reforms in 1983.
- 17th August 1988, Zia dies in a plane crash.
- Ghulam Ishaq takes over as president of Pakistan.
- In 1992 Imran Khan brings home the Cricket World Cup defeating England.
- In 1998 Pakistan conducts its first ever nuclear test.
- Nawaz Sharif is re-elected as Prime Minister.
- In 1999 Sharif is suspended as PM and the army takes over his house.
- Pervez Musharraf comes into power on October 12th, 1999
- In 2002 Musharraf shares his hand in the iconic attempt to befriend India.
- The same year a wall-street worker Daniel Pearl goes missing in Karachi later declared abducted and killed by his captors.
- In October 2005 the infamous 7.6 magnitude earthquake strikes various parts of Pakistan, leaving more than 80,000 people dead and more than 4 million people homeless.
- Rival parties battle it out in the streets of Karachi over Musharraf’s dismissal of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry in 2007.
- The same year TTP is formed and Swat falls into the control of the Taliban.
- In July 2007 the Lal Masjid siege kills 60 Pakistani troop members.
- In October of 2007, Benazir Bhutto returns to Pakistan after being exiled – she is met with suicide attacks that she survives.
- A month later Nawaz Sharif returns to Pakistan after being exiled for 7 years as well.
- Two months after her return Benazir Bhutto is shot dead during an election rally.
- The Mariott Hotel in Islamabad is bombed leaving more than 40 people dead and 300 injured.
- In March 2009 the international Sri Lankan cricket team is attacked by 12 gunmen while on tour in Lahore. Up until 2015 no international matches were held in Pakistan as a result.
- In March 2009, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudry formerly dismissed by Musharraf is restored to his position.
- In July 2010 an Airblue plane crashes into the Margala Hills killing all 153 passengers on board. Later it was confirmed that the crash resulted because of the pilot’s misjudgment.
- In July 2010, Pakistan meets terrible floods dislocating several thousand Pakistanis.
- The same year, the cricketer Mohammad Amir is banned from playing after being caught match fixing
- In January 2011 Governor of Punjab Salman Taseer is gunned down by his guard after being shot 25 times in Islamabad. The reason for this was Taseer’s attempt to save a woman’s life from the blasphemy law.
- In 2011 Raymond Davis, a former US soldier and CIA contractor shoots and kills two men in Lahore while waiting at a traffic light claiming it was “self-defense.” He is later freed from jail after paying the family members 2 million dollars.
- Osama Bin Laden is killed in May 2011 in Abottabad by US forces and is later buried at sea.
- The same year NATO attacks Pakistan’s check post in Salala.
- An avalanche hits the Siachen glacier in 2012 burying 130 soldiers.
- September of the same year a garment factory in Karachi catches fire killing 259 workers.
- In early 2013, a Hazara town in Quetta is bombed twice within a short span and the families protest by refusing to bury their loved ones.
- In May 2013, general elections are held bringing out the most Pakistani voters since the 80’s.
- Ayesha Farooq is taken in as the first ever female fighter pilot in Pakistan Air Force.
- Balochistan Liberation army bombs founding father Jinnah’s residence
- Suicide bombers attack Peshawar Church in 2013 killing over 80 people. TTP claims responsibility.
- Aitzaz Hassan sacrifices his own life while trying to prevent a bomb attack on his school, saving 2000 students in January 2014.
- Raheel Sharif starts Zarb-e-Azb against the tribal militants to bring an end to Taliban attacks, killing approximately 3000 terrorists.
- Imran Khan commences a rally against poll rigging during the elections of 2013. The rally was called the Azadi March, lasted 4 months and was only suspended after the December 16th school attack.
- December 16th, 2014, Peshawar school massacre leaves 500 students dead. The day is officially been declared as the Black Day.
- March 2015 marks the return of the Pakistan Day parade after 7 years of abandonment.
- Just a few months later International Cricket also returns to Pakistan after 6 years for the T20 matches.
- June 2015 brings with it the deadliest heatwave in Karachi taking more than a 1000 lives.
- The late Punjab Home Minister, Shuja Khanzada is killed in a bomb blast along with 16 others by the TTP.
- October of 2015 marks another terrible earthquake killing more than 200 people in northern Pakistan.
- Mumtaz Qadri is hanged in February 2016 after being convicted for Salman Taseer’s murder leading to riots.
- PMLN members are accused of corruption, found guilty and suspended from the government for the 3rd time.
- Nawaz Sharif and daughter Maryam Nawaz are found guilty in the Panama papers of corruption and are arrested to be jailed for 10 and 7 years respectively.
- July 2018 Imran Khan becomes the 19th Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Pakistan has seen some things in its 71 years but the tides may be turning to a brighter future under a new, value-based leadership. This year, on its birthday, let’s do our part to hold ourselves, our community, and our nation’s leaders to account for a happier Pakistan.