Key events since independence, with dates from the National Assembly and other cited sources.
Pakistan came into being on 14 August 1947, when power was transferred from British India. Its first constitution came into force on 23 March 1956, East Pakistan became Bangladesh in December 1971, and the present Constitution has been in force since 14 August 1973. This timeline lists 54 key events from 1947 to 2025. Each entry names its source.
Exact dates come from the National Assembly of Pakistan's parliamentary history where it gives them. Where only a month or year is shown, the source gives no exact day. For every head of government and head of state, see the list of prime ministers and the list of presidents.
1947–1958: Independence and the first constitution
: Transfer of power: Pakistan comes into being. Lord Mountbatten addresses the Constituent Assembly in Karachi, and Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah replies. (National Assembly of Pakistan)
: The first Constitution comes into force and Pakistan becomes an Islamic Republic, with Iskander Mirza as its first president. (National Assembly of Pakistan)
: President Iskander Mirza abrogates the Constitution and declares martial law, with General Ayub Khan as Chief Martial Law Administrator. (National Assembly of Pakistan)
1958–1971: Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan and the break-up of Pakistan
: The worst floods in 80 years kill at least 1,600 people and affect more than 20 million. (BBC News)
: Osama bin Laden is killed by US special forces in Abbottabad. (BBC News)
: General elections are held, and power passes from one elected government to another, which the National Assembly calls a historic milestone. Nawaz Sharif takes oath on 5 June 2013. (National Assembly of Pakistan)
: Malala Yousafzai, shot by the Taliban in 2012, becomes the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize. (BBC News; The Nobel Prize)
: Militants kill nearly 150 people, mostly children, at a school in Peshawar. (BBC News)
: The Supreme Court disqualifies Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif; Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is elected on 1 August. (National Assembly of Pakistan)
: The 25th Amendment merges the Federally Administered Tribal Areas into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. (Dawn)
: Imran Khan becomes the first prime minister removed by a no-confidence vote; Shehbaz Sharif takes office on 11 April. (Dawn; National Assembly of Pakistan)
: Monsoon rains and floods from mid-June kill 1,739 people by early November, according to the National Disaster Management Authority. (Xinhua)
: The Council of Common Interests approves the results of the 2023 digital census. (Dawn)
: Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar is sworn in as caretaker prime minister. (Dawn)
: Asif Ali Zardari is sworn in as president for a second time. (Dawn)
: The 26th Constitutional Amendment, mostly about the judiciary, becomes law. (Dawn)
: Pakistan and India agree to a ceasefire after military exchanges. (Dawn)
: President Zardari assents to the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which creates the Federal Constitutional Court. (Dawn)
FAQ
When did Pakistan gain independence?
On 14 August 1947, when power was transferred and Lord Mountbatten addressed the Constituent Assembly in Karachi. Jinnah was sworn in as Governor-General on 15 August 1947 (National Assembly of Pakistan).
When did Pakistan become a republic?
On 23 March 1956, when the first Constitution came into force and Pakistan became an Islamic Republic. That is why 23 March is also Republic Day (National Assembly of Pakistan).
Pakistan carried out its nuclear tests in 1998, after India's tests that year (BBC News).
Who was the president of Pakistan in 1971?
General Yahya Khan, until 20 December 1971, when Zulfikar Ali Bhutto took over as president and Chief Martial Law Administrator (National Assembly of Pakistan).
How many constitutions has Pakistan had?
Three: 1956, 1962 and 1973. An interim constitution was also adopted on 17 April 1972. The 1973 Constitution is still in force (National Assembly of Pakistan).