1971-1977: Bhutto Era

• Fall of Dhaka (Dec 1971) — loss of East Pakistan, birth of Bangladesh
• ZA Bhutto becomes President then PM; 1973 Constitution promulgated (still in force, amended)
• Nationalization of industries, land reforms; populist PPP politics
• Ended by 1977 coup (Zia-ul-Haq) after disputed elections & PNA movement

1977-1988: Zia Era

• Martial law; Islamization policies (Hudood Ordinances, Zakat/Ushr)
• 8th Amendment (1985) — added Article 58(2)(b), President's power to dissolve assemblies
• Bhutto executed (1979) — deeply polarizing event
• Died in 1988 plane crash (Bahawalpur) — return to civilian rule

1988-1999: Decade of Civilian Instability

• Alternating PPP (Benazir Bhutto) & PML-N (Nawaz Sharif) governments — 4 govts, none completed full term
• Frequent use of Article 58(2)(b) to dissolve assemblies (by Presidents)
• Ended by Musharraf's 1999 coup

1999-2008: Musharraf Era

• Military rule; 17th Amendment legitimized coup retroactively, LFO (Legal Framework Order)
• 2007: Lawyers' Movement (post Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry's removal) — major civil society mobilization
• Benazir Bhutto assassinated (Dec 2007)

2008-Present: Democratic Transition Era

• 2008: PPP-led coalition; 2010: 18th Amendment — repealed 58(2)(b), devolved powers to provinces (major reform)