Pakistan fought war with India and gained some ground
in Kashmir.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto addressed UN Security Council and
pleaded Pakistan's case and won the hearts of Pakistanis. He became hero
overnight.
Tashkent declaration was signed. President Ayub
developed differences with Z. A. Bhutto because he was not in favour of this
agreement. People of Pakistan considered this agreement a sell off.
President Ayub announced that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was
ill and had proceeded on long leave.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto traveled by train from Rawalpindi
to Lahore after quitting foreign ministry. He was warmly received by a
gathering of seventy thousand people at Lahore railway station.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was asked by intelligence agencies
not to enter politics and keep himself away from presidential election in
1970. He refused. This was the time when he decided to form a political
party.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto disassociated himself from
convention Muslim League.
Bhutto announced to hold public meeting at Goal Bagh
Lahore. His meeting was disrupted showing Government nervousness.
After touring the country and addressing gatherings in
different cities, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto announced that be had decided to form
a new political party: Pakistan Peoples Party. After this announcement he
started another tour of the country to muster support for his proposed
party.
Pakistan Peoples Party was founded in a convention in
Lahore. Four hundred participants elected Zulfikar Ali Bhutto its chairman.
Mr. J. A. Rahim, Mr. Abdul Waheed Kapar, Khurshid Hussan Mir, Sheikh
Muhammad Rashid, Hayat Muhammad Sherpao, Amanullah Khan, Miraj Muhammad
Khan, Haq Nawaz Gandapur, Dr. Mubasher Hussein, Begum Abad Ahmed, Begum
Shaheen Ramay, Begum Anwar Ghalib, Malik Hamid Sarfraz, Ghazi Zaka ud din,
Comrade Ghulam Ahmed, Rafiq Ahmed Bajwa, Syed Omer Khan, Mian Muhammad Iqbal
and Mir Hameed Hussan attended this convention. Aslam Gurdaspuri recited his
poem. Three coloured Red, Black and Green flag was approved as party flag.
PPP Chairman Bhutto issued first manifesto in Karachi
and announced the commencement of membership campaign. The PPP manifesto
contained four principles:
Govt. felt threatened. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's entourage
was attacked, when he was going to address Khanewal Bar Association. Bhutto
continued his tour and addressed different gatherings in different cities.
He continued this mass contact campaign till 13th November 1968.
Student procession was attacked at Polytechnic
College, Peshawar Road, Rawalpindi. Police opened fire and killed one
student, Abdul Hameed.
Rawalpindi City was handed over to Army. Z.A. Bhutto
announced his support for the student's demands.
President Ayub escaped narrowly from an attempt on his
life by a young man, Hashim.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto along with his comrades was
arrested under Defence of Pakistan rules, 1965, section 33-B
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's detention was challenged in the
West Pakistan High Court. A division bench comprising Mr. Justice Moulvi
Mushtaq Hussain and Justice Qazi Gul Muhammad heard this petition.
Air Marshal Muhammad Asghar Khan led agitation after
Z.A. Bhutto's, detention.
High Court declared detention of Ghulam Mustafa Khan
and Ahmed Raza Kasuri as illegal.
Court decided to hear Bhutto's case in camp jail,
Lahore.
Malik Meraj Khalid tried to present a resolution in
West Pakistan Assembly, popularly known as 'Crises of Conscience'. He was
stopped. He resigned from the Convention Muslim league.
Special bench of West Pakistan High Court heard Mr.
Z.A. Bhutto's case and postponed it till 23rd January.
Mrs. Nusrat Bhutto withdrew petition challenging Z.A.
Bhutto's detention. But court ruled that the petition was filed under
Constitutions article 198.
Court ordered to shift Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to Larkana
and put him under house arrest.
Court allowed Mrs. Nusrat Bhutto to withdraw her
petition challenging Bhutto's detention. Bhutto was shifted to Larkana.
PPP Sindh zone President Abdul Waheed Katpar announced
that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto would start hunger strike from 14th February if
emergency were not withdrawn. On the same day PPP formed a security wing,
the Peoples Guard.
Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto along with Ghulam Mustafa Khar,
Dr. Mubasher Hassan, Abdul Waheed Katper, Nisar Muhammad Khan and Shakir Ali
Junejo started hunger strike. Govt. immediately withdrew defense of Pakistan
rules and released Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Govt. also invited politicians for
round table conference.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto along with Air Marshal Asghar
Khan, Maulana Bhashani, Gen. (R) Azam and Justice Murshad (East Pakistan)
rejected the invitation for round table conference.
Round Table Conference was held. Bhutto and Maulana
Bhashani boycotted.
Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rahman participated in second round of
conference after withdrawal of Agartala conspiracy case. After two days,
Round Table Conference ended without any significant result.
PPP and National Awami Party entered into an election
alliance. After few days Pakistan Islamic League and Khaksar Tehrik also
joined hands with PPP.
Gen. Ayub handed over the Govt. to Army Chief Gen.
Yahya Khan, bypassing the Ayubian constitution. He imposed martial law,
dissolved assemblies and banned political activities. From this date till
the announcement of General election, Mr. Bhutto spent his time
strengthening PPP's organization.
Gen. Yahya announced elections under provisional
constitutional order, on 5th October 1970. He promised to disband one unit
and allow political activities from first January 1970.
Political activities were allowed. Bhutto started mass
contact campaign. He addressed big gathering at Nishter Park, Karachi, on 4th
January, at Rawalpindi on 11th January. He led a big procession of
forty-five miles from Dina a town near Jhelum (Punjab) to Gujrat. He toured
East Pakistan and addressed election rallies in different cities.
Historic Kisan (peasant) conference was held in Toba
Tek Singh. It was attended by NAP, PPP, JUI, Labor Party of Pakistan, Islam
league and JUP (Mehmood Shah group)
Election schedule was announced. National assembly
comprised 313 members for which election was to be held on 5th October.
Election for four provincial assemblies was to be held on 22 October.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was attacked by armed Hurs
(follower of Pir Pagaro) and had a narrow escape.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto inaugurated Quetta Office of PPP.
Hari (peasant of Sindh) conference was held in Sukrand,
Nawab Shah Sindh.
One unit was dissolved and provinces of Punjab, Sindh,
NWFP and Balochistan were restored.
PPP awarded tickets to Mr. Bhutto for contesting
election for six seats of National Assembly. These seats were from Sindh,
Larkana, Thatha, and Badin, two from Punjab i.e. Lahore and Multan and one
from NWFP, Dera Ismail Khan, Bhutto won all seats except one from Dera
Ismail Khan where Mufti Mehmood of JUI succeeded.
One thousand four hundred ninety candidates contested
election for 300 seats of National Assembly. PPP and Awami League emerged as
majority winners in West Pakistan and East Pakistan respectively. PPP won 82
seats out of 138 seats from former West Pakistan, while Awami League won 160
seats out of 162 from former East Pakistan. Awami League had no
representation in West Pakistan while PPP failed to win any seat in East
Pakistan. Divided verdict created a new problem for General Yahya's regime
that mishandled the whole situation.
Bhutto announced that if President Gen. Yahya and
Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rehman reach an agreement on provincial autonomy within the
parameters of country's sovereignty, then there would be no hurdle in making
the new constitution within stipulated time frame of 120 days. (There was a
clause in provisional constitution order, according to which if assembly
failed to make constitution within 120 days of its first meeting, it stood
dissolved). That was the reason Bhutto wanted to settle main issues before
the convening of assembly.
Bhutto announced that he would visit East Pakistan and
meet Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rehman next month.
Bhutto postponed his visit due to by-election and sent
Ghulam Mustafa Khar instead.
Khar met Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rehman and assured him of
PPP's cooperation.
President Yahya declared that he would hand over power
to elected representatives the moment new constitution was framed.
Bhutto visited East Pakistan and held dialogue with
Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rehman till 29th January 1971 without positive results.
Sheikh Mujib ur Rehman demanded acceptance of six points of Awami League.
Bhutto was not ready to concede independent foreign trade and paramilitary
foresees for provinces. Bhutto told the press that talks were not complete
failure and that he wanted to continue this process till any understanding
in reached.
Indian plane was hijacked and landed at Lahore
airport. The two Kashmiri Hijackers demanded political asylum.
Pakistan gave political asylum to the hijackers. They
released passengers. Plane was blown up which strained Indo-Pak relation.
Awami League Central Committee reiterated the six
points and eleven points of student Council as the basis of new
constitution.
Gen. Yahya postponed Assembly session, which was
scheduled for 15th March. He appointed martial law administrators
in place of governor.
National Assembly session was summoned to meet on 25th
March. 22nd March 1971
Gen. Yahya again postponed National Assembly session.
Awami League was banned. Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rehman was
arrested. India threatened Pakistan that if influx of refugees were not
stopped, India would start war against Pakistan.
India attacked Pakistan border posts. On 3rd July,
first air attack was carried out. Situation worsened, and on 3rd December
India declared war. A full-scale war was imposed on Pakistan.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto represented Pakistan in the
Security Council. He condemned Indian aggression and demanded withdrawal of
Indian forces.
Indian forces entered Dhaka. Gen. Niazi, commander of
East Command, surrendered.
War ended on both fronts because Pakistan accepted
cease-fire.
Bhutto came back to Islamabad and met Gen. Yahya. Gen.
Yahya resigned and handed over to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Bhutto took oath as
president and Chief Martial law administrator.
President Yahya along with Gen. Abdul Hameed, Gen. M.M.
Pirzada, Gen. Omer, Gen. Khudadad Khan and Gen. Mitha were retired. Gen. Gul
Hassan was appointed Army Chief and Air Marshal Rahim Khan as Air Chief.
Ten basic industries along with mines of precious Swat
stone were nationalized. Nationalized industries included steel and alloy,
heavy engineering, petro-chemical, cement and auto industries.
Bhutto released Sheikh Mujib ur Rehman. He was flown
to London from where he went to Bangladesh. Ex-President General Yahya was
detained at his residence.
Pakistan left the Commonwealth.
Labor Policy was announced which included worker's 6%
shares in profit, right of bonuses, free education for children upto 10th
class. Firing of worker on will of master was banned through this policy.
America restored Pakistan aid program.
Land reforms were announced. Land ownership was
reduced to 500 acres of irrigated and 1000 acres of arid land.
Gen. Gul Hassan and Air Martial Rahim were forcibly
retired. Gen. Tikka Khan and Air Martial Zafar Chaudhary were made Army
Chief and Air Chief respectively.
Educational policy was announced. Education up to
middle was made compulsory. Three thousand private educational institutions
were nationalized.
New Health policy was announced, which was based on
preventive measures. To reduce the prices of medicines, generic names of
medicines were adopted.
Police reforms were announced, to improve working
conditions of police force.
Judicial reforms were announced, stressing upon speedy
justice.
The National Assembly adopted provisional
constitution.
Martial law was lifted and provisional constitution
became law of land.
Bhutto took an extensive tour of Islamic countries
including Middle East. Due to these tours job opportunities in Middle East
countries opened to Pakistan labor.
Simla agreement was signed after dialogues between
Bhutto and Indira Gandhi.
Pakistan left CENTO.
Identity card scheme was introduced.
A small group of junior army officers conspired to
overthrow the civilian govt. They were arrested and military court headed by
Brig. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq sentenced them to rigorous imprisonment.
National Assembly unanimously approved the
Constitution.
Pakistan and India signed prisoners of war
repatriation agreement.
Bhutto resigned as President. Ch. Fazal Elahi, speaker
National Assembly, was elected President of Pakistan. He was PPP's
candidate. Dr. Mubasher Hassan was made PPP Secretary Gen. in place of J.A.
Rahim.
New constitution was enforced. Federal parliamentary
system was introduced through this constitution. Z.A. Bhutto became the
first Prime Minister of Pakistan under this new constitution, which is now
known as 1973 constitution.
Reforms in bureaucracy reforms were introduced. Direct
appointments of higher post were made from University professors.
Prisoners of war were repatriated. During these
months, Bhutto traveled a lot to win world opinion for release of prisoners
of war. He toured America, Europe and the Middle East.
Fifteen banks were nationalized. Shipping companies
and oil companies were also nationalized.
Islamic Head of State's Conference was held in Lahore.
It was decided in this conference that;
22nd February 1974
Bangladesh was recognized by Pakistan. Bhutto later
visited Bangladesh.
7th September 1974
National assembly declared Qadianis as non-Muslim
minority.
11th November 1974
Armed person attacked Ahmed Raza Kasuri when he was
going with his father Nawab Ahmad Khan. His father was killed in this
attack. Ahmad Raza Kasuri framed Bhutto and got FIR registered against him.
1st December 1974
Bhutto declared Indian Atomic blast a threat for
Pakistan and vowed to build Atomic bomb. He started the nuclear program.
8th February 1975
Hayat Muhammad Sherpao president PPP, NWFP was killed
in a bomb blast.
25th March 1975
Bhutto gave the idea of using oil as weapon to Middle
Eastern countries. Shah Faisal used oil as the weapon. Oil supply was
reduced. Oil prices were increased. West felt threatened. Hence Shah Faisal
was killed in an armed attack.
23rd October 1975
Pakistan was elected member of UN Security Council. He
also advanced an idea of unity among third world countries for better world
economic order.
26th November 1975
National Assembly passed a bill declaring dowry
illegal.
20th October 1975
Pension scheme for laborers was announced.
20th February 1976
France signed an agreement for supplying Atomic
reprocessing plant to Pakistan.
29th February 1976
Gen. Tikka Khan retired, as Army Chief and Gen.
Zia-ul-Haq became the new chief of Army Staff.
3rd to 4th April 1976
PPP's convention was held in Quetta. In which Bhutto
announced abolition of Sardari System in Balochistan.
17th July 1976
Flourmills and rice mills were nationalized.
25th July 1976
Five lacs acre land of Pat feeder was distributed
among peasant free of cost.
10th August 1976
American Secretary of State Henry Kissenger threatened
Bhutto to make a horrible example of him if he carried out the nuclear
programme.
4th January 1977
Bhutto announced general election in March 1977, one
year before the due date.
5th January 1977
Through second agriculture reforms, land holding was
reduced to 150 acres irrigated and 300 acres arid. Land required through
these reforms was distributed among landless peasants.
Through second labor reforms, laborers were given
right of compensation in case of death, injury or disability during duty.
Pension and group insurance was increased by 25 percent.
10th January 1977
National assembly was dissolved. Election schedule was
announced. Opposition parties formed an alliance known as Pakistan National
Alliance (P.N.A.).
21st January 1977
Bhutto was elected unopposed, from Larkana.
24th January 1977
PPP announced new election manifesto. Through this
manifesto PPP promised to consolidate reforms made by it during first tenure
of power.
16th February 1977
Workers of Pakistan National Alliance clashed with PPP
workers. PNA leader Air Martial (Retd.) Asghar Khan announced in an election
meeting that this was the last year of PPP Government's irrespective of
election results.
7th to 8th March 1977
PPP won 154 seats out of 200 in national assembly
election. PNA alleged rigging and boycotted provincial assembly's election.
10th March 1977
PNA started agitation against PPP's Govt. This
agitation was supported on one hand by America and on the other hand by
armed forces. (It was proved afterward by the evidence, which came to light
through different means.) Bhutto offer of dialogues was accepted. Prof.
Ghafoor of JI wrote in his book that when dialogues were almost successful
Army took over.
5th July 1977
Pakistan Army took over on the night between 4th and
5th July 1977 at 1:30 a.m., Army moved in, and arrested Prime Minister and
his colleagues. Gen. Zia-ul-Haq announced as Martial-law administrator that:
1. Constitution was held in abeyance.
2. National assembly, Senate and Provincial
assemblies were dissolved.
3. Prime Minister, federal ministers, ministers of
state, advisors to Prime Minister, Speakers of national and provincial
assemblies, Chairman and Dy. Chairman Senate, Provincial governors, Chief
ministers and the provincial ministers ceased to hold offices.
4. President Fazal Elahi would continue to work as
President of Pakistan.
5. Whole country would be under Martial law. Gen.
Zia promised to hold elections in ninety days.
9th July 1977
Zia declared that PPP would be allowed to contest
election to be held in October 1977.
15th July 1977
Molvi Mushtaq Hussain was appointed the Chief Election
Commissioner.
28th July 1977
Gen. Zia went to Murree and met Mr. Bhutto and Mufti
Mehmood. After that all detainees were released.
29th July 1977
Ahmed Raza Kasuri filed a case in court against Bhutto
for his father's murder.
2nd August 1977
Election Commissioner announced the 18th October as
election date for the National Assembly elections.
6th August 1977
Bhutto reached Multan, and was given warm welcome.
Three miles long procession was taken out.
8th August 1977
Lahore received Bhutto with open arms reestablishing
his popularity.
11th August 1977
A big gathering of people assembled to receive Bhutto
in Peshawar was baton charged.
17th August 1977
Gen. Zia said he would transfer power to elected
representative on 28th October 1977.
24th August 1977
Election commissioner allotted election symbols: sword
to PPP and plough to PNA.
28th August 1977
PPP and PNA presented the list of their candidates to
Election Commissioner.
30th August 1977
Air Martial Asghar Khan demanded decision of cases
against PPP leaders before the elections. Some other leaders of PNA even
demanded arrest and prosecution of Mr. Bhutto.
3rd September 1977
Bhutto was arrested from 70 Clifton, Karachi and
shifted to Lahore in Nawab Mehmood Ahmed Khan's murder case. Violent and
valiant agitation ensued. PPP central executive committee met and announced
that Bhutto's arrest had worsened the crisis.
7th September 1977
Mrs. Nusrat Bhutto presided over the Central Executive
Committee meeting, which decided to take part in elections with full force.
13th September 1977
Gen. Zia called a meeting of all the political
parties. A PPP delegation headed by Begum Nusrat Bhutto attended. Zia
promised to hold election as per schedule on 18th October 1977. Same day
Bhutto was released on bail.
15th September 1977
Sardar Shaukat Hayat demanded postponement of
elections.
17th September 1977
Bhutto was again arrested from Al-Murtaza under
Martial-Law order 12. Besides Bhutto, Mumtaz Ali Bhutto, Ghous Bakhsh
Raisani Sheikh Rasheed, Iqbal Judoon, Dr. Ghulam Hussain, Khalid Malik and
Abdul Hafeez Pirzada were also arrested.
Agitation erupted in different cities. Zia said in an
interview that Bhutto's fate would be sealed through military court well
before election.
20th September 1977
Supreme Court admitted the petition of Begum Nusrat
Bhutto against the arrest of ten party leaders including Mr. Z.A. Bhutto.
22nd September 1977
Begum Bhutto told a Georgian correspondent that if her
party won next month election, Gen. Zia-ul-Haq would be retired.
23rd September 1977
Supreme Court Chief Justice Yaqub Ali Khan was
removed. Judges were asked to take fresh oath. London Times reported that
Justice Yaqub's removal was due to the fear that he would declare Martial
law illegal as per Asma Jilani case. He had expressed opinion in this regard
in his first meeting with Zia on 5th July 1977. On the same day Begum Bhutto
said in an interview that her party was prepared for election as well as
revolution.
25th September 1977
PNA decided in its Quetta meeting that accountability
must be completed before election.
29th September 1977
Hyderabad conspiracy case was withdrawn.
29th September 1977
Miss Benazir Bhutto addressed her first public meeting
in Sahiwal and warned that in case of Mr. Bhutto's hanging, water of all the
five rivers of Pakistan will turn red. Same day she was put under house
arrest.
1st October 1977
General Zia-ul-Haq announced postponement of elections
and banned all political activities.
3rd October 1977
Election in Azad Kashmir was also postponed.
9th October 1977
Lahore High Court bench headed by Justice Maulvi
Mushtaq Hussain cancelled Bhutto's bail in Nawab Muhammad Ahmad murder case.
13th October 1977
PNA leaders met Gen. Zia and demanded banning of PPP.
15th October 1977
Agitation took place in Lahore, Islamabad and other
big cities. Scores of PPP workers were arrested and sentenced through
military courts.
18th October 1977
F.S.F. Director General and approver in Nawab Muhammad
Ahmad Khan's murder case told the court that Bhutto directed him to
eliminate Ahmad Raza Kasuri and while doing that his father was killed.
24th October 1977
Day to day hearing started in Lahore High Court in
Nawab Muhammad Ahmad Khan's murder case.
10th November 1977
Supreme Court validated Martial law under law of
Necessity. Supreme Court also gave power to amend the constitution to CMLA.
13th November 1977
PPP Central Executive Committee met under the
Chairpersonship of Begum Bhutto and demanded elections by December through a
resolution.
30th November 1977
PPP working committee met on 10th anniversary of the
party. Begum Bhutto presided while Maulana Kausar Niazi and Ghulam Mustafa
Jatoi were absent. PPP vowed to continue struggle for release of Mr. Bhutto
and the restoration of democracy.
1st December 1977
PNA delegation met Gen. Zia-ul-Haq. He told them that
he would hold election after the completion of accountability in May or June
1978.
6th December 1977
Through martial law order 25 Chief Election
Commissioner was given absolute power to debar any person from contesting
election if he violated public representative act and other election rules.
He was also given power to investigate the allegation of the rigging of 1977
elections. One the same day Khan Abdul Wali Khan and other co-accused of
Hyderabad conspiracy case were released.
8th December 1977
Supreme Court rejected Bhutto's appeal against Moulvi
Mushtaq's appointment as Acting Chief Justice and Chief Election
Commissioner.
16th December 1977
Mrs. Nusrat Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto went to see
cricket match between England and Pakistan. People gathered around them and
raised slogan against military regime. They were baton charged. Mrs. Nusrat
Bhutto got head injury. She was admitted in hospital, and was detained.
Benazir Bhutto was also detained at her residence in Lahore. This was the
augury of sufferings, which they were to face in the coming days.
17th December 1977
Mr. Bhutto was asked to leave courtroom because as per
court his behavior was not proper.
1st January 1978
Hyderabad tribunal was dissolved.
2nd January 1978
Laborers preparing for the Democracy Day (Bhutto's
birthday on January 5, were massacred in colony textile mills Multan. Two
hundred to three hundred workers died.
5th January 1978
PPP celebrated Bhutto's birthday as 'democracy day' in
spite of the fact that hundred of party workers had been arrested on 4th
January 1978.
10th January 1978
Bhutto boycotted court proceeding.
14th January 1978
Gen. Zia formed council of advisors.
24th January 1978
Bhutto refused to present his defence and stated that
he had already disengaged his lawyers.
25th January 1978
Bhutto's statement was recorded in camera proceedings.
Before that court proceedings were open for every one.
2nd February 1978
Five corruption cases were filed in Justice Shafi ur
Rehman court against Mr. Bhutto.
4th February 1978
Eighty-nine references against PPP ex-MNA's including
Begum Nusrat Bhutto were filed in tribunal, so that they could be debarred
from politics.
14th February 1978
Miss Benazir Bhutto was released. She toured the Sindh
province.
18th February 1978
Miss Benazir Bhutto was stopped from addressing a
public meeting in Nawab Shah and deported to Karachi.
22nd February 1978
Gen. Zia announced that his regime would hold
elections when positive results could be ensured.
24th February 1978
Maulana Kausar Niazi opposed Miss Benazir Bhutto's
entrance in politics and announced that he would oppose Begum Nusrat
Bhutto's plan to impose Miss Benazir Bhutto on the party.
8th March 1978
Once again scores of PPP workers were arrested. The
Army regime announced that due to expected decision of Nawab Muhammad Ahmad
Khan's murder case these arrests had been made to maintain law and order.
12th March 1978
Begum Nusrat Bhutto was detained.
14th March 1978
PPP's daily Musawat publisher and editor were
sentenced to one-year imprisonment for publishing supplement containing
material against martial law.
18th March 1978
High Court bench headed by Justice Maulvi Mushtaq
Hussain sentenced Mr. Bhutto to death. In spite of large numbers of arrests
including Begum Nusrat Bhutto and Miss Benazir Bhutto, thousands of PPP
workers demonstrated against High Court decision.
25th March 1978
Appeal of Mr. Bhutto against Lahore High Court
decision was filed in the Supreme Court.
29th March 1978
Gen. Zia imposed ban on political activities for
indefinite period.
1st April 1978
Supreme Court started hearing Mr. Bhutto's appeal.
27th April 1978
Noor Muhammad Taraki brought revolution in
Afghanistan.
30th April 1978
Police arrested twenty Journalists who were going to
start hunger strike to press their demand of restoration of Musawat
publication.
5th May 1978
Pakistan recognized new Afghan govt.
18th-19th May 1978
Mr. Z.A. Bhutto was shifted to Rawalpindi jail. On the
same day Kamal Azfar announced new faction of PPP with Maulana Kausar Niazi
as its chairman and himself as secretary-general.
20th May 1978
Supreme Court's full bench started hearing Mr.
Bhutto's appeal against Lahore High Court verdict.
14th June 1978
A division bench of Sindh High Court declared Miss
Bhutto's detention illegal.
17th June 1978
Fakhar Zaman's five books were banned by military
regime, forcibly lifted from shops and burnt.
1st July 1978
PPP lawyers filed a case against Maulana Kausar Niazi
and pleaded that Maulana Kausar Niazi was the Information Secretary and had
been expelled due to anti party activities. They requested the court to stop
Maulana Kausar Niazi to pose himself as PPP Chairman. Court accepted the
request and issued stay order.
5th July 1978
Gen. Zia announced twenty-two members' cabinet
including military Generals and PNA's leaders.
24th July 1978
Army regime published white paper on so-called rigging
of 1977 elections.
30th July 1978
Justice Qaisar Khan of Supreme Court who was hearing
Bhutto appeals was retired arbitrarily.
6th August 1978
Police raided Yahya Bakhtiar's room in Flashman Hotel,
Lahore, and searched it without any warrant. He informed the court on the
same day.
27th August 1978
Army regime published another white paper against
misuse of media means in Bhutto Government.
11th September 1978
Ms Benazir Bhutto toured NWFP and addressed public
meetings in different cities.
14th September 1978
Gen. Zia became the President of Pakistan after the
resignation of President Fazal Elahi.
16th September 1978
Gen. Zia-ul-Haq took oath of President in military
uniform. Ex-president Fazal Elahi said in an interview that he had resigned
because he did not want to become party to the amendments in the
constitution. Secondly that he came to know that Gen. Zia was not sincere in
holding elections.
24th September 1978
Miss Benazir Bhutto announced in a Worker's meeting at
Laghari house that she was assuming party leadership as per her father's
will. Subsequently she toured NWFP and Punjab provinces.
1st October 1978
Widespread agitation erupted in which students were on
the forefront. Universities and colleges were closed in Sindh. Party workers
did self-immolation in Lahore, Faisalabad and Gujranwala for the release of
Mr. Bhutto. Parvez Yaqub of Gujranwala died due to burns followed by five
others.
14th October 1978
Miss Benazir Bhutto was arrested during her Punjab
tour and was detained. Scores of party leaders were arrested. PPP launched
protest for the restoration of democracy and release of Mr. Bhutto. Workers
offered themselves for arrest.
17th October 1978
Gen. Zia amended the political parties act banning
formation of political party which were against the ideology of Pakistan or
worked against integrity and solidarity of Pakistan or against norms of
society or jeopardize law and order or if funded by foreign country. This
was meant to give establishment the powers to ban any political party on any
pretext.
3rd November 1978
Maulana Kausar Niazi named his faction as Progressive
People's Party.
18th November 1978
Lahore high court declared Begum Nusrat Bhutto's
detention illegal and ordered her release.
1st December 1978
Begum Nusrat Bhutto after meeting Mr. Bhutto announced
that Bhutto was sure that Zia will hang him and he did not want to make
mercy appeal if Supreme Court held the verdict.
5th December 1978
Justice Waheed-ud-din was dropped due to illness from
the bench hearing Bhutto appeal. It was considered that these judges were in
favour of Bhutto's an acquittal. Now it was a bench of seven judges. Yahya
Bakhtiar challenged the formation of new bench. Court rejected his plea.
18th to 21st December 1978
Z.A. Bhutto gave his defense statement and pinpointed
Lahore high court's bias against him. He said he was innocent and knew
nothing about Nawab Ahmed Khan's murder case.
23rd December 1978
Proceedings on appeal were completed and court
reserved verdict.
15th January 1979
Three volumes of white papers on Bhutto's govt.
working were released to influence the court verdict.
5th February 1979
Begum Nusrat Bhutto was detained at her residence.
Husbands and thousands of PPP activists were arrested showing the intention
of the regime and the expected verdict.
6th February 1979
Supreme Court held the High Court decision and
rejected Bhutto's appeal. Chief justice Anwar ul Haq announced the decision
given by majority judges. It was a split verdict of four to three. Justice
Safdar Shah, Justice Durab Patel and Justice M. Haleem acquitted Bhutto.
Same day Yahya Bakhtiar met Bhutto and announced that Bhutto would not file
mercy petition.
10th February 1979
World leaders especially leaders of Muslim countries
appealed for sparing Bhutto's life, but Gen. Zia was not moved. He announced
so-called Islamic system to divert world attention. 13th & 14th February
1979
Yahya Bakhtiar in the Supreme Court of Pakistan filed
review petition on Bhutto's behalf. It was admitted.
17th February 1979
Fakhar Zaman Ex- Senator was arrested and sent to
Sahiwal Jail.
19th February 1979
Abdul Hafeez Pirzada filed an application in the
Supreme Court requesting the court to include justice Waheed-ud-din and
justice Qaiser Khan in the bench who were supposed to hear the review
petition.
24th February 1979
Abdul Hafeez Pirzada's application was rejected. Court
started hearing the review petition. The bench was the same, which rejected
Bhutto's appeal. Yahya Bakhtiar pleaded the reduction of sentence on the
basis of split decision.
28th February 1979
New wave of arrests took place. PPP's Senator and
known writer Fakhar Zaman was arrested. His five books had been banned by
Army regime and forcibly lifted from bookshops and burnt.
1st March 1979
Gen. Zia ul Haq while talking to the journalists said
that Bhutto's case had nothing to do with politics. One hundred fifty people
had been hanged in his regimes period. Appeal by world leaders for one
'criminal' on humanitarian ground had no justification.
8th March 1979
Bhutto's first wife Amir Begum met him in the jail.
4th March 1979
Distinguished lawyer and Bhutto's advocate Ghulam Ali
Memon died of heart failure.
12th March 1979
Judgment on Bhutto's review petition was reserved.
23rd March 1979
Gen. Zia announced holding of election on 17th
November 1979.
24th March 1979
Supreme Court rejected Review Petition but stressed
that president can change death sentence into life imprisonment on these
arguments. Abdul Hafeez Pirzada informed Bhutto about the decision. Same
evening Pirzada got married for the second time. Same day Begum Nusrat
Bhutto and Miss Benazir Bhutto were brought from Sihala and allowed to meet
Bhutto in Rawalpindi jail, while standing out side the prison bars. On 24th
March 1979 superintendent jail received black warrants of Bhutto and four
other convicted co-accused.
28th March 1979
Justice Safdar Shah told BBC's correspondent that
recommendations given in decision of review petition were clear. They were
in fact directives to the establishment for sparing Bhutto's life. PPP
executive committee met at Jatoi's home under the Presidentship of Yasin
Wattoo, General Secretary of the party.
This meeting ended without any decision. While workers
were demanding outside Jatoi house of leaders to come out and start
agitation to save Bhutto's life.
Mother of Arshad Iqbal convicted co-accused demanded
mercy for four accused except Bhutto. Ahmed Raza Kasuri demanded execution
of Bhutto. Abdul Hafeez Pirzada filed an application to president asking him
to use section 45 of constitution for changing death sentence to life
imprisonment for Bhutto. Pirzada told the press that Bhutto had told him
that he was prepared for death and would not file mercy petition. Amir Begum
met Bhutto in jail while Bhutto's sister Sher Bano Imtiaz filed mercy
petition for her brother's life to the president.
3rd April 1979
Begum Nusrat Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto met Z.A. Bhutto
in jail. Meeting lasted for three hours. When both came out from jail they
were informed that this was their last meeting with Bhutto. Same day Mumtaz
Ali Bhutto informed the press that district tehsildar had asked his father
to pinpoint the place where they wanted to bury Bhutto.
4th April 1979
Bhutto was executed around 2 a.m. before official time
of hanging between the night of 3rd and 4th April. His execution became
controversial. It is general belief that be was tortured to death before
hanging. His body was flown to Larkana and buried under army supervision.
Begum Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto detained at Sihala rest house, were not
allowed to see his body or participate in the funeral. Radio Pakistan broke
this news at 11 AM bulletin. Pakistan's first democratically elected Prime
Minister was murdered judicially by a fascist megalomania.
5th April 1979
People came out and protested against this judicial
murder.
29th May 1979
Begum Nusrat Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto were released.
News spread like jungle fire and people started pouring in to condole death
with them. Miss Benazir Bhutto met them and assured them that they will
continue the struggle. She pledged to complete Bhutto mission. She also
announced that she would give Bhutto's message to people of Pakistan in a
public meeting.
3rd June 1979
Begum Bhutto announced that if people of Pakistan
desired and voted for her, she would not hesitate to resume the
responsibilities of Prime Minister ship.
5th June 1979
Finance Minster of Gen. Zia's regime, Ghulam Ishaq
Khan presented federal budget. Through these budget prices of cement,
petrol, furnace oil, and ghee were increased. The public at large resented
this increase.
4th July 1979
Black day was observed against the budget. Miss
Benazir Bhutto said that budget was a white paper a PNA's ministers and Gen.
Zia's regime.
8th July 1979
Complete strike was observed throughout country
against the budget.
20th July 1979
Central Executive after meeting at Karachi announced
expulsion of party traitors Kasur Niazi and others.
24th July 1979 to August 1979
Miss Benazir Bhutto contacted workers who assured her
to keep up the struggle.
13th August 1979
Begum Nusrat Bhutto started mass contact campaign
after completion of mourning period. She told workers that her husband was
killed not hanged, because there were no signs of hanging on his neck.
30th August 1979
Gen. Zia proclaimed new political parties' law making
it compulsory for all political parties to get themselves registered with
election commission. He also informed that he was being advised not to hold
election.
13th September 1979
Gen. Zia constitution advisor resigned.
25th September 1979
Local Govt. non-party election was held followed by
massive rigging complaints. On the same day election commission announced
schedule for general election. As per this schedule 17th November 1979 was
polling date for general election.
26th September 1979
Very next day after election commission announcement
Gen. Zia said that 17th November date for election is not given in the holy
book and it can be changed.
3rd October 1979
Nomination papers of all the candidates of political
parties including PPP, which are not registered with election commission,
were rejected. The lists include papers of Miss Benazir Bhutto, Begum Nusrat
Bhutto, Gen. Tikka Khan, Yahya Bakhtiar, Maulana Mufti Mehmood and Sardar
Qayyum.
6th October 1979
In spite of rejection of papers of its candidates, PPP
demanded election as per schedule.
13th October 1979
Gen. Zia announced election program but without any
polling date.
16th October 1979
Gen. Zia postponed election for the indefinite period.
All political parties were declared unlawful under second amendment in
constitution. Scores of political leaders and workers were arrested.
Military tribunals were formed. Right of appeal against military court
decision was withdrawn. High court and Supreme Court authority was
contained. Strikes were banned. Newspapers were put under censor, while
publication of those papers was opposing Army regime was stopped.
21st October 1979
Justice Aslam Riaz Hussain of Supreme Court admitted a
petition challenging arrest of Air Martial (Retd) Asghar Khan and forwarded
the same to chief justice of Pakistan for constitution bigger bench for
hearing. In the petition it was pleaded that as per Begum Nusrat Bhutto can
beyond 1973 constitution, when president has postponed election for
indefinite period, law of necessity became invalid human basic rights of
citizens stood restored. Hence Air Martial Asghar Khan detention was
illegal.
22nd November 1979
American Embassy was burnt in Islamabad showing the
hatred of Pakistani against America.
31st January 1980
American Secretary of foreign affairs declared three
spheres of American concern, Kingdoms of Gulf, Pakistan and China.
18th March 1980
A military conspiracy against Gen. Zia was unearthed.
31st April 1980
Gen. Faiz Ali Chishti was retired.
12th April 1980
Begum Nusrat Bhutto and Miss Benazir Bhutto were
released after six-month detention.
27 May 1980
Through Presidential ordinance supreme courts power
were taken away. Power regarding review of military court decisions and acts
of martial-law authorities were taken. This ordinance was made effective
from the back date.
02-12 July 1980
Balochistan High Court declared constitution section
212-A against the parameters fixed by Supreme Court of Pakistan through
Begum Bhutto case. This section was incorporated through an amendment and it
related to powers of high courts.
5 July 1980
Shiite Community protested effectively against regime.
1 October 1980
Miss Benazir Bhutto showed willingness to form an
alliance with PNA.
8 December 1980
Balochistan high courts issued stay order against
death sentence given to Abdul Hameed Baloch by military court. In this case
the military court committed irregularities. Name of the person murdered by
Abdul Hameed was changed twice and every time the person was found alive.
5th January 1981
PPP workers were arrested on 6th July in Libya
conspiracy case.
6th February 1981
Movement for restoration of democracy was formed.
21st February 1981
Many leaders of MRD were arrested. MRD demanded Gen.
Zia resignation and announced general strike on 23rd March.
2nd March 1981
PIA plane was hijacked and taken to Kabul. Hijackers
demanded release of fifty-five political prisoners. Miss Benazir Bhutto
condemned hijacking.
8th March 1981
Gen. Zia used this act of hijacking against MRD
leaders. Only in March 1981 six thousand leaders and workers of MRD were
arrested. Benazir Bhutto was also arrested and kept in solitary confinement
in Sukkur Jail.
15th March 1981
Govt. accepted hijacker demands and sent 55 political
prisoners out of country. Many were resisting deportation but they were
forcibly deported.
24th to 27th March 1981
Senior vice president of PPP Sindh Parvez Ali Shah was
arrested in hijacking case. He was taken to torture cell of CIA known as
555.
24th March 1981
Zia ul Haq promulgated provisional constitution order
1981. Through this all acts done by military govt. were validated. Articles
regarding presidential powers were retained; all others section related to
elections, parliament and basic rights were excluded. Through article 16
president has assumed power to amend constitution. Through this article
independence of judiciary was jeopardizing. All political parties including
PPP were banned. Through this order no act of military regime could be
challenged in any court of law. P.C.O in fact destroyed the parameters set
by Supreme Court decision in Begum Nusrat Bhutto case. Through this order
all the orders passed by higher courts against military courts decision were
canceled. This includes Hameed Baloch case.
25th March 1981
All judges of supreme and high courts were asked to
take fresh oath under PCO. Many judges opted not to take oath including
Justice Duryab Patel, Justice Fakhar ud Din Ibrahim. They wrote in their
letters to Zia ul Haq that they were following the voice of their conscious.
1st April 1981
Ex-attorney General of Pakistan Yahya Bakhtiar was
sentenced to five years imprisonment by a military court for rigging 1977
election of his constituency. Before PCO Balochistan high court had ruled
that proceedings against him were discriminatory and malifide. But both the
judges who gave this judgment were relieved.
6th April 1981
Justice Safdar Shah said Zia order had no legal value
in the eyes of law.
12th April 1981
Different party leaders were arrested. Faisal Saleh
Hayat residence was raided and alleged that it was Al-Zulfiqar head office.
Mir Murtaza Bhutto, son of Late Z.A. Bhutto, formed al-Zulfiqar in Kabul.
Mrs. Rana Shaukat was arrested and kept in Lahore fort and was tortured.
13th April 1981
Gen. Zia explained the justification of PCO and said
Judiciary was meant to interpret law, not to challenge govt.
16th April 1981
Due to prolonged solitary confinement Miss Bhutto fell
ill. She was taken to Karachi for operation. Govt. had planed to kill her
during operation. But a PPP ex-minister in London through a press conference
failed this plan due to the exposure of this conspiracy.
July 1981
Begum Nusrat Begum was released due to serious
illness.
11th to 19th August 1981
In PIA hijacking case, trial was conducted in camera
and military court sentenced one accrued to death and other four to
different years of imprisonment. On 19th August this decision was endorsed
but later on for unknown reasons martial law administer cancelled the
endorsement and referred back the case to a five member military court with
a request that all accrued be given death sentence. Court obliged and they
were executed.
15th August 1981
Miss Benazir Bhutto was shifted to Karachi jail and
kept there in solitary confinement.
8th September 1981
Miss Benazir Bhutto was allowed to attend marriage of
her sister Sanam Bhutto.
10th September 1981
Miss Benazir Bhutto was sent back to Karachi jail, and
her detention was extended for another three months.
14th September 1981
Military regime offered no-war pact to Indian.
25th September 1981
Ch. Zahoor Elahi was shot dead in Lahore. In the same
incidence Moulvi Mushtaq was seriously injured. Regime accused Al-Zulfiqar
for this murder and started another round of PPP's workers arrest.
24th December 1981
Gen. Zia formed Majlis-e-Shura and declared that
immediate elections were not in the national interest. He declared this
arrangement temporary.
24th March 1982
Gen. Zia promulgated another ordinance through which
special court proceedings were to be done in camera. Divulgence of its
proceeding by lawyers to press was declared offence.
23rd September 1982
Martial law order fifty-four (54) was issued.
1st October 1982
Two thousand lawyer's conventions demanded restoration
of basic rights of citizens. Convener of conference were arrested and given
one-year imprisonment. Abdul Hafeez Lakho who was Bhutto's advocate along
with Secretary Karachi bar Association were arrested.
30th October 1982
PPP leader Dr. Ghulam Hussain while addressing a
public meeting in Berlin, Germany and condemned army dictatorship.
13th November 1982
After a delay of many months Begum Bhutto was allowed
to proceed abroad for treatment of.
20th November 1982
Begum Bhutto left Pakistan for treatment. Miss Benazir
Bhutto was shifted to 70 Clifton Karachi to see off her mother. Here she was
kept for fourteen more months in detention.
5th December 1982
Gen. Zia toured USA, where he met President Reagan and
different members of congress. He faced lot of difficulty while meeting
foreign relation committee. Senator Paul handed over a list of political
prisoners to Zia ul Haq. Miss Benazir Bhutto name was on top of the list. He
told Zia that they are concerned about there prisoners. Zia claimed that
Miss Benazir Bhutto was living in a house better by Senator's residence and
had facility of meeting relation and friends. Even she could use telephone
freely. Listening this Senator Peter Galbraith phoned 70 Clifton and was
told be a man that Miss Benazir Bhutto was a prisoners, so she could not
talk to her.
8th January 1983
President All Pakistan Trade Union Federation Mirza
Ibrahim was arrested. Gulzar Ahmed Ch. was also arrested. It was revealed
that regime was planning to dismiss thirty two thousand railway workers, and
their arrests were to prevent protest against that.
10th January 1983
Begum Bhutto met Kisan Party president Afzal Bangash
and both agreed to work together for restoration of democracy.
12th February 1983
Women procession was taken out in Islamabad against
lashing of women ordinance. In February seventeen workers of PPP were
arrested for publishing material against Army regime. Twenty-four lawyers
were also arrested, while they were coming to attend a convention for
release of political prisoners.
27th March 1983
Miss Benazir Bhutto came to record statement as
witness in Jam Saqi case. She did not know him, but she continued giving
answers to the questions for two days. Answering one question whether
martial law had any place in Islam, she said Islam was to bow head in front
of Allah only while in martial law one has to bow head in front of Chief
Martial Law administrator. So it is against Islam.
April 1983
When some leaders of PPP met Gen. Zia in his tour of
Sindh, Miss Benazir Bhutto phoned party Secretary General and asked her to
expel these leaders. While she was giving them instruction her telephone was
disconnected. Ban was imposed on her visitors.
5th July 1983
MRD observed this day as black day. Processions were
taken out in different cities and hundreds of workers were arrested.
11th August 983
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan through a press conference
asked people to disassociate themselves from MRD movement, and struggle as
per Bannu resolution. On this NDP Secretary Gen. Ghulam Ahmed Bilour
resigned from MRD.
21st August 1983
Gen. Zia announced that elections would be held in
March 1985 and after that Martial law would be lifted.
August 1983
MRD started its protest from Lahore and different
cities of Sindh. Miss Benazir Bhutto wrote letter to party workers and
movement gained momentum. As per press reports from 14 to 21 August 715
workers were arrested. In Sindh movement was the strongest. On 15th August
Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi courted arrest from regal Crossing in Karachi. After
that land lords of Sindh also came out. On 23rd August in Kumber a big
procession of people got 47 prisoners released after breaking the jail.
Militancy was observed in Sindh. People attacked police and many deaths took
place. Sindh Awami Think played major role in this movement in Sindh. It
appears that Sindh had rebelled against this Military establishment. In
Punjab movement was crushed by the police but in Sindh even Army failed to
crush it. Zia used three divisions of army in Sindh to crush MRD's movement.
4th January 1984
An army plan to overthrow Gen. Zia regime was
unearthed. Hundred of junior army officers were arrested. An armed encounter
took place in which one major was shot and another injured.
10th January 1984
Miss Benazir Bhutto left abroad for treatment. Her
sister Sanam Bhutto also traveled with her. She raised political prisoner's
problem during her stay in London.
6th March 1984
Miss Benazir toured America and met Congress and
Senate members and raised human rights issue in Pakistan. Then she came back
to London, which had become head office of her activities.
1st October 1984
Air Martial Asghar Khan was released after five years
detention.
5th November 1984
A military court sentenced Nasir Baloch and his three
co-accused to death.
1st December 1984
Gen. Zia announced that he is holding referendum to
get vote for his policies.
19th December 1984
Gen. Zia held referendum on the question; "do
Pakistani people want Islamic system". It was stated if people's answer was
yes then Gen. Zia would be elected President for five years. With all
establishment efforts very few voters came to cast votes. But govt. declared
60% polling and announced Gen. Zia stood elected president for five years.
8th January 1985
Gen. Zia proclaimed martial law order 65, through
which, any person can be restrained from taking part in political
activities.
19th January 1985
MRD central committee announced boycott of general
elections.
25th February 1985
Non-party general election was held. All political
parties boycotted these elections. Regime announced fifty three percent
voting. But as per PPP estimate polling was between 10 to 24 %.
1st March 1985
Majlis-e-Shura was dissolved.
2nd March 1985
After amending constitution at will Zia announced its
restoration.
5th March 1985
Nasir Baloch was hanged. His funeral was baton
charged.
23rd March 1985
Mohammed Khan Junejo took oath as Prime Minister of
Pakistan. Zia ul Haq also took fresh oath.
24th March 1985
Prime Minister declared that Martial law and civil
govt. couldn't co-exist.
7th April 1985
Ghulam Mustafa Jotai was released.
30th May 1985
NWFP Assembly demanded lifting of martial law.
1st March 1985
Punjab assembly also demanded lifting of martial law.
26th July 1985
Ayaz Sumroo was hanged.
18th July 1985
Shah Nawaz Bhutto was found dead in his room at his
residence in France. All family members were present there. Later on it was
found, that death was due to poisoning. It was beloved that some agent of
Zia did that.
21st August 1985
Shah Nawaz Bhutto's body was handed over to the
family. Army regime reluctantly allowed his burial in Pakistan. Miss Benazir
Bhutto brought his body to Pakistan, and buried him in family graveyard in
Garhi Khuda Bukhsh beside his father's grave.
27th August 1985
Miss Benazir Bhutto was arrested from 70 Clifton
Karachi.
18th October 1985
National assembly adopted 8th amendment of
constitution, giving legal cover to all martial law acts. Through this
amendment President was given power to dissolve the govt.
21st October 1985
Processions demanding Miss Benazir Bhutto's release
were disbanded. People were stopped to attend a public meeting of MRD in
Karachi and leaders of MRD were arrested after Wards.
22nd October 1985
Miss Benazir Bhutto was informed during detention that
widow of Shah Nawaz Bhutto had been arrested.
3rd November 1985
Miss Benazir Bhutto came to know from newspapers that
she had been called to an inquiry of her brother's death. She immediately
wrote to the regime that she wanted to go and it was Army, which was
stopping her. She asked the Military regime to tell the court in France.
After this letter she was released and allowed to go to France.
30th December 1985
Gen. Zia announced lifting of martial law and
restoration of basic rights. But he remained the Chief of Army staff.
January to March 1986
Bhutto's trustworthy servant Noor Mohammed and his
eleven years old niece were murdered. He had sent a message to Miss Benazir
Bhutto that agency people were chasing him.
Miss Bhutto toured USA and sought help for restoration
of real democracy. Then she went to perform Umra, as per her father's wish.
Then she went to Russia on invitation of a Women Organization of Russia.
17th March 1986
Abdul Ghaffar Lakhani challenged Gen. Zia's holding of
president-ship and chief of Army staff slots in Sindh High Court.
10th April 1986
Miss Benazir Bhutto came to Pakistan after long exile.
She landed in Lahore where she was given unprecedented welcome. A mob of one
million people received her.
11th April 1986
In an interview with London Times Miss Benazir Bhutto
said that she did not believe in revenge and that she wanted to build her
country. She said that last day mob was capable of over-throwing Army
regime. A retired Major entered her room at her residence. He was arrested
but Army declared that he was a mad person but kept him in prison for some
times.
12th April to 3rd May 1986
Miss Benazir Bhutto toured Punjab along with a very
big procession.
15th April 1986
Sunday Times wrote that Miss Benazir Bhutto had won
first round of battle for democracy. Miss Benazir Bhutto also went to
Peshawar where she was given again a very warm welcome.
3rd & 4th May 1986
Miss Benazir Bhutto arrived in Karachi where lacs of
people received her. Then she started Sindh tour. Zia threatened to impose
Martial Law if any confrontation took place. Miss Benazir Bhutto also went
to Quetta where she was given warm welcome.
8th to 26th May 1986
Because Muslim League was formed in 1986 and was not
registered with election commission, hence Speaker National Assembly Fakhar
Imam and Speaker Sindh Assembly Abdullah Hussain Haroon challenged P.M. and
Sindh C.M. and forty-five members of Sindh assembly's membership. On 8th May
Election Commission issued notice. But Zia issued an ordinance making the
petition anfractuous. Prime Minister Janejo tabled no confidence motion
against Speaker Fakhar Imam.
2nd June 1986
National Assembly debated Gen. Zia's extension as
Chief of Army Staff.
5th July 1986
PPP observed 5th July as black day.
10th August 1986
Nine leaders of MRD assembled in 70 Clifton Karachi
and prepared a plan for taking part in election jointly. They demanded
election under 1973 constitution.
13th August 1986
Miss Benazir Bhutto entry into Punjab was banned and
Kikri ground of Karachi was also sealed to prevent PPP public meeting on
Independence Day. One thousand workers of MRD were arrested. Section 144 was
imposed in Karachi and in other seven districts of Sindh.
14th August 1986
PPP's movement for restoration of democracy was
launched. People played hide and seek with police in streets of Karachi.
Miss Benazir Bhutto appeared in Layari, where she addressed a big gathering.
Police tear-gassed and baton charged to disperse the mob but failed. Same
day she was detained for a month.
After 14th August the movement gained momentum. People
became militant. Six people in Lahore and 16 in Sindh were killed. This
situation took worst turn when 30 workers were killed in Sindh. People burnt
railway station and blocked rail track.
15th August 1986
U.S. and West Germany condemned Miss Bhutto's
detention.
19th August 1986
Foreign office declared this condemnation as
interference in Pakistan's internal affairs.
23rd August 1986
Case of sedition was registered against Miss Benazir
Bhutto and nine others.
1st September 1986
Miss Benazir Bhutto challenged her detention in a
constitutional petition.
9th September 1986
Miss Benazir Bhutto was released. She addressed party
workers the same day.
11th January 1987
Fazil Rahu leader of Sindhi Awami Tehrik was murdered
in his village.
30th January 1987
A murder attempt was made on Miss Benazir Bhutto when
she was going to Larkana from Karachi. Security guards of Miss Benazir
Bhutto were kidnapped. Army said it was a simple case of dacoity and
security guards were released later on.
9th March 1987
Miss Benazir Bhutto assured the press freedom if she
came to power in a book launching ceremony at press club Karachi.
29th July 1987
Miss Benazir Bhutto consented to marriage proposal as
per family arrangement.
17th December 1987
Miss Benazir Bhutto was married to Asif Ali Zardari.
Asif Ali Zardari gave a reception at this occasion in Kikri ground Karachi
in which thousand of workers participated.
27th February 1988
Gen. Zia warned foreign minister of Junejo's govt. not
to sign Geneva agreement.
10th April 1988
Ojhari Camp depot was blasted. Heavy damage of
property and life occurred. It is believed that Akhtar Abdul Rehman, ISI,
Chief and other officer of army were involved in this blast to cover the
shortage of ammunition.
29th May 1988
Gen. Zia dissolved assemblies and Junejo's govt. on
allegation of corruption, worst law and order situation and slow process of
Islamization. But interestingly took eight ministers of the same cabinet in
new setup.
5th June 1988
Gen. Azam Khan alleged that Gen. Zia had made Army a
political party.
15th July 1988
Gen. Zia declared Islamic law as the supreme law.
21st July 1988
Gen. Zia announced general elections for 16th November
1988, on non-party basis. Same day Fakhar Zaman issued an Eid-card with his
famous poem - "usurper this is your last Eid". Only after few days this
prediction became true.
1st August 1988
Miss Benazir Bhutto challenged nonparty elections in
the Supreme Court through a writ petition.
17th August 1988
C-130 plane carrying Gen. Zia ul Haq, American
ambassador Arnold Rafael, Gen. Akhtar Abdul Rehman and many other high
ranking army officers crashed, killing all on board. This way the darkest
period of Pakistan history ended.
17th August 1988
This date marks the end of an era and the beginning of
another. People felt relieved. Daily Nation wrote Gen. Zia was a dictator
who had ceased power through illegal means and perpetuated through
fraudulent referendum. Then he gave a civilian set up with the choice of
system carved by him. But before his death he dismissed his hand picked
Prime Minister. He used Islam to perpetuate his rule. He had destroyed every
institution of our society. His rule was a nightmare.
Same day Senate Chairman Ghulam Ishaq Khan resumed
president ship and Gen. Aslam Beg was made Chief of Army staff. After few
days all the political prisoners were released.
Lahore High Court full bench declared that dissolution
of national and provincial assemblies was unjustified but since new
elections are scheduled so court doesn't want to stop the process. Elections
are the best way to know the public opinion but they should be held on party
basis.
Elections were held on party basis. On one side was
eight party alliance and on the other PPP. As per results PPP won 94 seats
out of 207and I.J.I. won 54. Ghulam Mustafa Jotai, Pir Pagro and Muhammad
Khan Junejo lost from their home constituency. As per normal practice
president was bound to invite PPP to from govt. but he delayed it for two
weeks to give time to IJI to muster the support of other group. He met
different leaders and tried to keep PPP away from power. His effort failed
and at last he asked PPP Co-Chairperson Benazir Bhutto to form govt. After
eleven years PPP recaptured power.
Miss Benazir Bhutto took oath as Prime Minister. She
addressed nation same evening in which she announced to restore trade
unions, student unions, better health facilities for people, opportunities
of job for youth, useful and pragmatic foreign policy. She also announced
repelling of laws prejudicial to women right.
12th December 1988
Ghulam Ishaq Khan was elected president with the help
of PPP. He got 348 votes while Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan got 91.
Pakistan Peoples Party N.W.F.P. and Awami National
Party condemned dismissal of Balochistan assembly.
21st December 1988
Miss Benazir Bhutto declared dismissal of Balochistan
assembly a conspiracy against democracy. She revealed in the presence of
Wali Khan, Nawabzada Nasrullah and Fazal ur Rehman that she was pressurized
to pull out of PPP, ANP alliance in NWFP also.
29th December to 31st December 1988
SARC conference was held in Islamabad. Prime Minister
Benazir Bhutto, inaugurated and asked for the end of arms race, so that
money could be spent on people, welfare.
3rd January 1989
BBC viewer declared prime Minster Benazir Bhutto"
women of 1988". This honor had previous year been given to Mrs. Margaret
Thatcher.
7th January 1989
Miss Benazir Bhutto was extended an invitation to
visit Russia.
23rd January 1989
Balochistan High Court restored Balochistan assembly.
11th January 1989
On the invitation of Prime Minister of China, Prime
Minister Mrs. Benazir Bhutto toured China.
12th February 1989
President of France assured Mrs. Benazir Bhutto his
country, support in the field of Atomic Energy, in a meeting in Tokyo.
20th April 1989
News print quota system was abolished. This act
damaged the interest of the owners of the big newspapers which were earning
million through quota system. Mrs. Benazir Bhutto said quota system was
being used to curb press freedom in the past, so we are abolishing it to
give freedom to press. But big newspapers used this freedom to destabilize
the government. A vicious propaganda campaign was launched by the big
newspapers and continued it till the end of her govt.
23rd May 1989
University of Edinburgh, Pennsylvania decided to grant
an honorary degree to Mrs. Benazir Bhutto Prime Minister of Pakistan.
24th May 1989
Benazir Bhutto toured Turkey to strengthen relations
between two brotherly countries.
25th May 1989
Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto officially toured USA,
where she addressed the American Congress.
5th June 1989
Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto paid an official visit
to U.K. and France. These tours enhanced Pakistan's image.
11th July 1989
Public Accounts Committee Chairman, Hakim Ali Zardari
held press conference and revealed corruption by different govt. and private
companies. He listed different examples and hoped some action in near future
will be taken to retrieve the looted wealth.
19th July 1989
Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto addressed Baba Farid
conference held in Lahore organized by Syed Afzal Haider and stressed the
need of promoting regional culture. She also praised Afzal Haider efforts in
this regard.
23rd July 1989
Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto supported Sri Lanka's
demand for withdrawal of Indian armed forces from Sri Lanka.
10th October 1989
Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto visited Bangladesh on
the invitation of President Irshad of Bangladesh.
24th October 1989
Conspiracies were being hitched against PPP's govt.
and at last a motion of no confidence was moved with the backing of
president against PPP govt. in national assembly.
2nd November 1989
Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto failed this move with
the help of party stalwarts and alliance of other parties. No confidence
motion was rejected.
13th November 1989
UN Fund for Development of Women selected Mrs. Benazir
Bhutto for 1989, award.
25th January 1990
Bakhtwar was born to Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
15 May 1990
Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto toured eight Islamic
countries to muster support for Pakistan on Kashmir dispute. These countries
were Iran, North Yemen, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Libya, Syria and Tunisia.
North Yemen, Iran, Egypt and Syria announced support for Pakistan on
Kashmir, Jordan shared view with Pakistan while Prime Minister of Tunisia
declared that his country is with Pakistan in all matters.
10th July 1990
After approved of budget Prime Minister Bhutto took
another tour of remain Islamic countries. She went to Kuwait, Morocco,
Bahrain and Iraq.
6th August 1990
President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dismissed PPP govt. and
dissolved national and provincial assemblies. He announced to hold fresh
election on 24 October 1990.
In fact Ghulam Ishaq was not willing to hand over
power to PPP on the first place but when he had no choice he invited Mrs.
Benazir Bhutto to form govt. but started conspiracy against the govt.
Opposition had the entire blessing to move no confidence against govt. but
they failed. After some time he used his power under 8th amendment. He was
preparing for this act for many months.
7th August 1990
President Ghulam warned he would crush with iron hand
if any protest was made against his decision.
8th August 1990
Mrs. Benazir Bhutto alleged that army was behind her
government's dismissal.
11th August 1990
Pakistan Peoples Party challenged president's action
in Supreme Court of Pakistan.
14th August 1990
Chief of army staff told the press that army had no
political motives.
15th August 1990
Mrs. Benazir Bhutto demanded that speakers of
dissolved assemblies must head caretaker governments.
16th August 1990
Wali Khan supported dissolution of assemblies and
demanded accountability.
18th August 1990
Mrs. Benazir Bhutto was given warm welcome in
Rawalpindi. She said her party would continue struggle for the restoration
of democracy.
19th August 1990
Mrs. Benazir Bhutto addressing a press conference in
Islamabad said that within two years two prime ministers were removed and
two parliaments were dismissed. This will not only harm democracy but it
will damage the country's solidarity and integrity. She said dismissal of
her govt. was a well thought out plan prepared months back. She counted the
achievements of her government and demanded impartial caretaker government
headed by speakers of defunct assemblies.
21st August 1990
Benazir Bhutto got warm welcome at Lahore. Peshawar
High Court accepted for hearing a petition challenging dissolution of
assembly.
22nd August 1990
Sindh High Court ruled detention of Asif Ali Zardari
and Iqbal Memon illegal.
23rd August 1990
President Ishaq formed tribunal to try Pakistan
Peoples Party leadership.
25th August 1990
A group of lawyers challenged establishment of
accountability courts through a petition.
29th August 1990
Mrs. Benazir Bhutto said in a press conference in
Peshawar that accountability courts were established to keep PPP out of
political process.
30th August 1990
PPP entered into an alliance with Tehrik-e-Istaqlal
and Tehrik-e-Nafaz-e-Fiqa-e- Jafferia.
2nd September 1990
PPP ex-minister Ghulam Akbar Lasi was arrested.
4th September 1990
References were filed against Ghulam Muhammad Manika,
Jahangir Bader and Tariq Rahim.
5th September 1990
Jam Sadiq Ali announced to form a progressive block in
PPP.
10th September 1990
Two references were filed against Benazir Bhutto. PPP,
Tehrik Istaqlal and TJFP expanded alliance by including Muslim League Malik
Qasim group and named it Pakistan democratic Alliance "PDA".
12th September 1990
Two more references were filed against Mrs. Benazir
Bhutto.
18th September 1990
Mrs. Benazir Bhutto demanded Ghulam Ishaq Khan's
resignation.
19th September 1990
Ghulam Mustafa Khar told press that Mrs. Benazir
Bhutto would not be allowed to come in Power by this govt.
20th September 1990
Ghulam Mustafa Jotai alleged that Benazir Bhutto had
sanctioned loans amounting to Rs. 20 billion to her in-laws and friends.
21st September 1990
Lahore High Court started hearing petition against
dissolution of assembly.
25th September 1990
References were filed against four ex-MNAs of PPP
including Hakim Ali Zardari.
26th September 1990
Peshawar High Court declared dissolution of NWFP
Assembly illegal and restored it. But after few minutes a supreme court
judge on leave stayed this decision. In fact he was on holidays and not on
duty but he obliged the government Mrs. Benazir Bhutto declared this as
moral victory.
28th September 1990
Ex-minister Qurban Ali Shah was arrested.
30th September 1990
Mrs. Benazir Bhutto who had said that she did not
recognize accountability court, in Karachi and declared that she had come
because she respected the judges. Her advocate said that allegation against
her were fabricated, with malafide intention. They were meant to stop her
for campaigning in election.
2nd October 1990
Reference against Mrs. Benazir Bhutto could not be
heard in Justice Rashid Aziz court in Lahore due to disturbance. Defense
alleged that police present in civil clothes was responsible for violence.
6th October 1990
Ten leaders of PPP were issued contempt of court
notices in respect of 2nd October incidence.
8th October 1990
Public circles declared removal of Justice Qazi Jamil
politically motivated.
10th October 1990
Asif Ali Zardari was arrested in an abduction and
dacoity cases. Mrs. Benazir Bhutto declared her husband's arrest a
conspiracy and feared he will be killed.
11th October 1990
Asif Ali Zardari was handed over to CIA for
investigation. Supreme Court Peshawar bench confirmed its stay order against
Peshawar High Court restoring NWFP Assembly.
14th October 1990
Lahore high court declared valid the president's act
of dissolution of assemblies. It also validated caretaker govt. Same day
arrest warrant of Ihsan-ul-Haq Piracha ex-finance minister were issued.
15th October 1990
Election Manifesto of PDA was released. It consisted
of service to Islam, safeguarding solidarity and integrity of Pakistan,
people welfare and their involvement in government, abolition of
unemployment, uplifting of rural population and preservation of freedom of
expression.
16th October 1990
Aitazaz Ahsan was beaten during hearing of reference
against Mrs. Benazir Bhutto.
18th October 1990
Sindh High Court validated president's act of
dissolution of assemblies.
21st October 1990
Asif Ali Zardari was bailed out but not released.
22nd October 1990
PPP demonstrated popularity among masses by a big
election rally at the end of election campaign, which terminated at
Chauburji, Lahore. Rally was led by Chairperson P.P.P. Mrs. Benazir Bhutto,
Punjab P.P.P. president, Fakhar Zaman, Mumtaz Rathore president P.P.P, Azad
Kashmir, Jhangir Badar, Sheikh Rafiq and others.
23rd October 1990
Asif Ali Zardari's remand was extended.
23rd October 1990
Another reference against Mrs. Benazir Bhutto for
recruiting eight thousand employees was filed.
24th October 1990
General election was held, PDA alleged rigging on
large scale. With a difference of only few thousand votes sixty seats of
national assembly were won by Muslim League. Wali Khan, Nawabzada Nasrullah
Khan and Maulana Fazal-ul-Rehman lost election.
25th October 1990
Election results were declared. IJI won 105 seats and
PDA only forty-five.
27th October 1990
Elections for provincial assemblies were held.
Thirty-six persons died and 107 were injured in the process.
28th October 1990
Hakim Ali Zardari alleged that election were fraud and
army intelligence agencies rigged election of 100 seats of national
assembly.
29th October 1990
French observer team came to watch election. IJI
rigged election with the help of invisible hands. Mrs. Benazir Bhutto
demanded re-election on 100 seats.
2nd November 1990
PDA decided its members of national assembly would
take oath under protest.
3rd November 1990
PDA boycotted assembly session for not allowing Asif
Ali Zardari MNA elect to attend session. Mrs. Benazir Bhutto was elected
opposition leader in National Assembly.
4th November 1990
PDA boycotted Sindh assembly session against abduction
of its fifteen MPAs.
11th November 1990
Mrs. Benazir Bhutto appeared in Lahore High Court and
demanded judicial investigation of murder of a PPP's MPA.
14th November 1990
PPP leader Musroor Ahsan was arrested in Karachi.
17th November 1990
A court in Karachi rejected Asif Ali Zardari bail
application. Mrs. Benazir Bhutto was charge sheeted.
19th November 1990
PDA's MPAs were arrested in Sindh.
27th November 1990
PDA's MPAs joined Balochistan govt. Mrs. Benazir
Bhutto expressed her anger on it.
4th December 1990
Mrs. Benazir Bhutto protested against dismissal of
persons employed in her govt.'s period.
9th December 1990
Mrs. Benazir Bhutto gave a four points formula to end
govt. opposition confrontation. PPP worker Dr. Zafar was killed in Sindh.
16th December 1990
Sindh assembly member of PPP Mr. Manzur Wasan and many
others were arrested. In fact Sindh govt. was formed wincing PPP's MPAs by
sate means.
26th December 1990
Mrs. Benazir Bhutto condemned Jam Sadiq's acts of high
handedness.
27th December 1990
Jam Sadiq Chief Minister Sindh alleged that dacoits
are supplied arms from Bilawal House.
31st December 1990
Sindh High Court rejected Asif Ali Zardari's bail
application.
2nd January 1991
Ghulam Mustafa Jotai ex-care taker prime minister
accepted rigging in 1990 elections while disclosing that Nawabzada Nasrullah
and some other leaders were defeated in election through a conspiracy.
4th January 1991
Farooq Laghari demanded annulment of eighth amendment.
5th January 1991
PPP's workers celebrated Z.A. Bhutto birthday in all
major cities of Pakistan.
9th January 1991
Ex-chief minister Sindh Aftab Shahban Mirani and
others party workers along with eleven students of PSF were arrested.
14th January 1991
No-confidence motion against Prime Minister of Azad
Kashmir Mumtaz Hussain Rathore was defeated.
15th January 1991
PPP took out a procession in Lahore in favour of
Iraq's President Saddam Hussain. That was led by Nawabzada Nasrullah, Sheikh
Rafiq and P.P.P. Punjab President Fakhar Zaman. P.M.L. hooligans near
Anarkali attacked it.
16th January 1991
Mrs. Benazir Bhutto left for London. Sindh govt. took
back sedation case against G.M. Syed.
21st January 1991
PPP took out another procession against American
interference in Iraq.
25th January 1991
Chief Minister Sindh stated in a public meeting that
Benazir Bhutto should thank President Ghulam Ishaq Khan for not directing
him to arrange her defeat in election from her hometown Larkana.
25th January 1991
PPP demanded emergency meeting of national assembly to
discuss Iraq situation.
27th January 1991
Begum Nusrat Bhutto invited all political parties of
the country to unite to demand immediate stopping of war in Gulf.
28th January 1991
PDA demonstrated protest against attack on Iraq by
NATO forces. A case was registered against Asif Ali Zardari for killing
M.Q.M's workers.
30th January 1991
PDA protested against fabrication of cases against
PDA's leaders in Karachi.
5th February 1991
PPP warned dire consequences if PPP govt. in Azad
Kashmir was sacked.
11th February 1991
Benazir Bhutto returned home after four weeks tour of
foreign countries.
16th February 1991
More PPP workers were arrested in Sindh. Ex-Chief
Minister Qaim Ali Shah's warrant of arrest issued.
19th February 1991
Sindh assembly members belonging to PPP demanded
security because they are afraid that they will be abducted in senate
election.
21st February 1991
Three more Sindh assembly members were arrested.
27th February 1991
PDA expressed concern on Sindh situation.
27th February to 3rd March 1991
PDA continued boycott of national assembly to protest
the arrest of Sindh assembly members.
7th March 1991
Qaim Ali Shah was arrested. His bail application was
rejected.
9th March 1991
PPP threatened to boycott senate election and tender
resignation from National Assembly if Sindh situation was not addressed to.
10th March 1991
Sindh assembly members belonging to PPP handed over
their resignations to Benazir Bhutto.
14th March 1991
A Karachi Court allowed Senator Musroor Ahsan to
attend senate session.
26th March 1991
Four persons at Singapore airport hijacked a Pakistan
plane but the security force killed them. Later on govt. claimed that
hijackers were PPP workers who wanted to get some PPP's leaders released.
But Secretary Foreign Affairs announced that there was no proof that PPP was
involved in this hijacking. In spite of this, police arrested scores of PPP
workers.
31st March 1991
Benazir Bhutto appeared in a special court and denied
use of air force plane to transport members of national assembly during no
confidence move.
4th April 1991
During death anniversary of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto,
Benazir Bhutto pledged to continue struggle for the have-nots.
8th April 1991
Begum Nusrat Bhutto condemned the announcement of a
housing scheme at the site of Rawalpindi jail in order to stop P.P.P to
build monument at the site where Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was hanged.
9th April 1991
PDA terminated boycott after reaching their point with
IJI.
25th April 1991
Ex-Chief Minister Sindh's advisor Ghulam Abbas Chandio
was arrested in connection with hijacking.
12th May 1991
To demand resignation or removal of Jam Sadiq black
day was observed in Sindh.
13th May 1991
Ex-Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was accused
of misuse of secret funds of Rs. 95,500,000. Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto refused
to give details of use of these funds because it will harm national
interest.
16th May 1991
National assembly passed Shariat bill. PDA and PKMAP
voted against the bill. Benazir Bhutto declared the bill un islamic, illegal
and unconstitutional.
11th June 1991
President Ghulam Ishaq appointed Lt. General Asif
Nawaz Junjua as Chief of army staff in place of Gen. Aslam Beg. Lt. General
Shamim Alam was appointed as Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee's Chairman.
16th June 1991
National assembly passed 1991-92 budget. PPP declared
it anti public budget.
18-21st June 1991
Judge anti terrorist court Nabi Sher Junejo and his
two guards were shot dead while traveling in his car. He was hearing Asif
Ali Zardari case. Chief minister Sindh as per pervious practice alleged PPP
for this murder. Until 21st June, 750 active workers of PPP were arrested.
1st July 1991
Govt. ordered to arrest all the political workers who
were released by the PPP govt.
5th July 1991
Azad Kashmir Prime Minister and PPP leader Mumtaz
Rathore were sacked and arrested. He had ordered fresh election due to
rigging in 29th June election.
8th July 1991
President promulgated special courts ordinance.
18th July 1991
National assembly passed 12th amendment in
constitution in thirty minutes. Through this amendment government got power
to establish special courts.
July 1991
PPP's student leader Rahila Tiwana was released on
bail. She told a tale of horror. She was university student and president of
Peoples Student Federation, Karachi, division. Some agency person picked her
up from her residence. She was taken to CIA center and kept for many days.
She was hanged upside down for five hours. She started bleeding through
nose. She fainted. Her brother, sister and father were tortured in front of
her. They demanded from her a confession involving Benazir Bhutto and Asif
Ali Zardari in under trial cases of murder and bribe. They also asked her to
confess that Begum Nusrat Bhutto sent her to India for terrorist training.
She lost mental balance and was shifted to mental hospital after getting
signature on blank papers. She was released following strong national and
international campaign for her release.
3rd August 1991
Ex-advisor of Prime Minister confessed her involvement
in rigging the election.
4th August 1991
PDA observed twelve hours hunger strike to protest
against special courts.
17th August 1991
MQM attacked Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto's car in which
some PPP's workers were injured.
20th August 1991
PDA took out procession against the attack on
Mohtarma's car and govt. ordered judicial inquiry.
27th August 1991
Chief Minister Sindh threatened English daily Frontier
post with serious consequences, if it did not stop criticizing his govt.
29th August 1991
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto advocated new social order.
30th August 1991
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto met Nawabzada Nasrullah for
taking combined steps against IJI govt.
31st August 1991
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto met Chief of Army Staff Asif
Nawaz Junjua.
15th September 1991
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto left for America.
24th September 1991
PDA issued white paper on election rigging. At least
seventy seats were won by IJI through rigging.
25th September 1991
Salman Tasir PPP leader alleged that Ittefaq
Industries had taken six hundred million rupees loans from banks.
7th October 1991
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto came back after touring
America.
8th October 1991
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto demanded fresh election under
impartial caretaker govt.
12th October 1991
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto filed an application asking
Supreme Court to order shifting of all cases against her to Karachi.
15th October 1991
National assembly started discussing cooperative
scandal.
16th October 1991
Supreme Court rejected Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto
application for transferring cases to Karachi.
17th October 1991
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto issued a document named "A
dacoity on Pakistan's treasury". It was stated in this document that four
people Mian Nawaz Sharif and his family, Choudhry brothers Dr. Basharat
Elahi and Saifullah had plundered the banks. It was questioned that why
president was not taking action against the corruption of this government as
he had sacked Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto's govt. on same charges. Was it not
true that he himself in involved.
19th October 1991
Wife of a political worker Easa Baloch whose case was
under trial in Karachi special court, was kidnapped when she was returning
home after hearing her husband's case. The police took her to police station
and assaulted her.
24th October 1991
PDA held a big rally in Rawalpindi and announced
protest demonstrations against government.
29th October 1991
House of PDA leader Nisar Khuhro was burnt.
2nd November 1991
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto started Sindh tour.
4th November 1991
Supreme Court upheld high court decision validating
dissolution of assemblies.
17th November 1991
PDA held a big rally against cooperative scandal and
against price hike.
19th November 1991
Chief Minister Sindh Jam Sadiq Ali came back after
treatment abroad.
30th November 1991
Publication of 'Musawat' newspaper stopped.
7th December 1991
Sardar Shaukat Hayat a veteran Muslim League leader
exposed the rape of her daughter Vina Hayat and accused president's son in
law and advisor of Sindh government. As per his claim this act took place on
27th November.
10th December 1991
Women action forum took out a procession in Lahore
against Vina Hayat rape case. The procession was baton charged.
11th December 1991
PDA demanded President resignation.
12th December 1991
Sardar Shaukat Hayat demanded a commission to
investigate her daughter's case comprising three members namely Mohtarma
Benazir Bhutto, Mian Nawaz Sharif and Chief of army Asif Nawaz.
19th December 1991
Opposition protested in parliament meeting during the
address of President. A protest rally was baton charged, out side parliament
building in which fifty persons were injured.
24th December 1991
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto met speaker National Assembly
to sort out issues with government.
29th December 1991
Local bodies’ election were held. They were rigged and
PDA rejected them.
2nd January 1992
PPP decided to issue white paper on local bodies
election.
5th January 1992
PPP observed Bhutto's birthday throughout the country.
11th January 1992
Khurshid Begum wife of Esa Baloch appealed to Punjab
to help her to get justice.
20th January 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto demanded Jam Saudi’s
resignation with in twenty-four hours. She also decided to attend all
parties conference.
23rd January 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto accused President in forcing
Sindh to separation.
1st February 1992
Asif Ali Zardari was allowed to attend national
assembly session.
3rd February 1992
Ex-Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah demanded
governor Raj for Sindh and trial of Jam Sadiq for sedition.
7th February 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto asked JKLF not to cross line
of control and postpone the programme for some time.
17th February 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto started agitation as per APC
decision. She said this agitation would continue till change of govt. She
held rallies at Multan, Sahiwal and others cities.
27th February 1992
Yahya Bakhtiar was elected opposition leader in the
Senate.
4th March 1992
Jam Sadiq died and Muzafar Ali Shah was elected new
chief minister. Jatoi group and PDA entered in alliance in Sindh.
11th March 1992
Prime minister Nawaz Sharif sacked Ghulam Murtaza
Jotai from his cabinet due to PDA- Jatoi group alliance in Sindh.
20th March 1992
Sindh PPP withdrew support of Muzafar Shah's govt. in
Sindh.
24th March 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto declared IJI's govt. economic
policies harmful for the country.
29th March 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto talked to Jatoi on future
course of action.
12th April 1992
Nawabzada Nasrullah summoned APC heads meeting.
16th April 1992
Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi gave his consent on APC's agenda.
19th April 1992
Jatoi dubbed change in president's attitude about PPP
positive.
5th May 1992
JI left IJI and withdrew support for Nawaz Sharif's
govt.
13th May 1992
One thousand PPP workers were arrested in Hyderabad.
16th May 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto demanded debate on the killing
of seven people by naval task force.
20th May 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto showed concern on calling army
in Sindh.
2nd September 1992
Govt. decided not to allow BB to give welcome address
to President of Pakistan as opposition leader in Parliament.
7th September 1992
In Karachi Begum Nusrat Bhutto met Abdul Hafeez
Pirzada and discussed possible alliance between PDA and NDA.
4th September 1992
Nawabzada Nasrullah suggested alliance between PDA,
NDA and IDF.
7th September 1992
PDA boycotted parliament session during speeches of
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and speaker national assembly but came in when
president of Iran stood to address parliament.
12th September 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto asked the government not to
waste money on Motorway. Instead that money should be spent to build railway
track and small roads connecting villages.
13th September 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was not allowed to speak on
the issue of flood in national assembly. So PDA boycotted the proceeding.
15th September 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto postponed her campaign of mass
contact due to floods. PDA member Sindh assembly Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq was
arrested.
30th September 1992
Three alliance leaders met in Islamabad and decided to
work together against govt. without making an alliance for election.
Participants were PDA, NDA and IJM.
23rd September 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto toured the flooded areas. She
was attacked at Multan and Nawabpur.
26th September 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto told special court in Karachi
that a police officer of CIA had informed her that a conspiracy had been
hatched to kill her husband Asif Ali Zardari while travelling to the court.
9th October 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto condemned the attack on the
house of editor Sindhi daily 'Aftab'.
10th October 1992
Asif Ali Zardari was acquitted in six cases of alleged
attacks on MQM's camps.
27th October 1992
Eleven members of national assembly and three senators
belonging to IJI assured their help to Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto government.
30th October 1992
PDA issued its election manifesto named Islamabad
declaration.
1st November 1992
PDA and NDA decided to start agitation on a common
platform against govt.
2nd November 1992
Imam-e-Qaba declared women rule Islamic.
4th November 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto sent a message of
congratulation to President Bill Clinton of America on his election and said
she wanted to work with him for world peace, democracy and human rights.
7th November 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto warned that the P.M. and
assemblies will not be able to face our pressure. If our demands are not
met, martial law will come. Lahore high court rejected reference against
ex-minister Tariq Rahim.
8th November 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto addressed a big rally in
Faisalabad and said time for demands was over and it was now time to for
action. She appealed to the masses to come out and send the government
packing.
10th November 1992
PDA gave call for the Long March for 18th November.
11th November 1992
Preparation for long march started. Jahangir Badar,
Iftikhar Gillani, Khurshid Kusuri and Fakhar Zaman held a convention.
Speakers stressed to work hard for the success of Long March.
12th November 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto declared that people of Azad
Kashmir and held Kashmir would participate in this march. She said army
would not side with any one in this struggle. Yahya Bakhtiar disagreed with
the decision of long march and resigned.
15th November 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto said if politician did not
play their due role then some one else will do that and that Nawaz Sharif's
government is finished. Prime Minister and Chief of the Army staff discussed
long march. Thousands of PDA's workers were arrested. PPP central
secretariat was sealed. Liaqat Bagh place of rally was sealed.
17th November 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto said government is inviting
martial law. Police raided many places to arrest Begum Nusrat Bhutto in
Lahore.
18th November 1992
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was stopped to proceed from
Islamabad to Liaqat Bagh. Worker accompany her were badly beaten. Even
leader like Farooq Laghari was batten changed. A large number of leaders and
workers were arrested including Ghulam Mustafa Jotai, Qaim Ali Shah, Zahid
Sarfraz, Maj. Gen. (R ) Naseerullah Baber, Maulana Kasur Niazi, Malik Qasim,
Aftab Sherpao, Salman Tasir, Aitazaz Ahsan J. Salik, Jahangir Badar, Sheikh
Rafiq etc. BB was able to reach Liaqat Bagh and addressed rally, which was
tear-gassed and baton charged. She was arrested and deported to Karachi
Begum Nusrat Bhutto was also arrested on her way to Islamabad. Long March
was a success. It left great impact on national politics and led to the
ouster of Nawaz Sharif.
30th November 1992
PPP completed its silver jubilee (25 years). Seminar
was arranged by cultural wing of the party in Lahore which was presided by
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Speakers included Mazhar Ali Khan, Mehdi Hasan and
cultural wing president Fakhar Zaman.
18th April 1993
President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dissolved assemblies and
dismissed Nawaz Sharif's government. He alleged Nawaz Sharif's government of
corruption and incompetence. This act of president was challenged in Supreme
Court of Pakistan by the ex Prime Minister. Balakh Sher Mazari took over as
care taker Prime Minister. Asif Ali Zardari was taken in the cabinet Supreme
Court declared president's act as illegal and extra constitutional. National
assembly and Nawaz Sharif's govt. were restored. With this verdict of the
court country was thrown in a crises.
19th July 1993
Chief of Army intervened. Prime Minister tendered his
resignation after giving advice for dissolving the assembly to the
president. Ghulam Ishaq Khan also resigned and Chairman Senate Waseem Sajjad
took over as acting president.
Caretaker govt. headed by Moin Qureshi announced fresh
election on 6th October 1993. Election campaign was launched.
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto led her party to victory.
6th October 1993
Elections were held for National Assembly. PPP won 86
seats, while Muslim League got only 72.
Elections for all the four provincial assemblies were
held. PPP got a total of 175 seats in four assemblies.
20th October 1993
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was elected leader of house by
securing 121 votes. Same evening she took oath as Prime Minister of Pakistan
for the second time.
5th December 1993
Central Executive Committee of PPP elected Mohtarma
Benazir Bhutto Chairperson of PPP in place of Begum Nusrat Bhutto.
December 1993
PPP formed govt. in Sindh and Punjab as well. Later on
govt. in NWFP was also formed by the PPP with the help of its alliance.
Presidential election was held in which PPP's
candidate Farooq Laghari got majority votes and was elected President.
ACHIEVEMENT OF PPP GOVERNMENT
