5 July 1977

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is overthrown in a military coup led by General Zia-ul Haq.

March 1978

During a visit to Pakistan, Daoud Khan and Zia-ul Haq come close to signing an agreement that could resolve the dispute over the Durand Line.

27 April 1978

The Saur Revolution in Afghanistan overthrows Daoud Khan. His successor Nur Muhammad Taraki established a Communist regime, which ruled from Kabul till 1992

14 September 1979

Taraki is overthrown by Hafizullah Amin. It was his defiance of Soviet orders and his alleged links to the CIA, which provoked the Soviet Union into invading Afghanistan.

25 December 1979

The Soviet Union begins its military occupation of Afghanistan. Amin is killed and replaced by Babrak Karmal.

29 January 1980

An emergency session of the Conference of Islamic States held in Islamabad, condemns the Soviet military occupation and demands the immediate withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan.

March 1980

The US offers US$ 400 million to Pakistan in military and economic aid in order to secure Pakistan’s cooperation in undermining the Soviet occupation in Afghanistan. However, this offer is rejected by Zia-ul Haq as ‘peanuts’.

25 August 1981

Babrak Karmal announces his willingness to hold tripartite talks with Pakistan and Iran under UN aegis. However, this proposal is rejected by both Iran and Pakistan.

September 1981

Ronald Reagan’s government offers Pakistan an aid package of US$ 3.2 billion spread over six years.

May 1985

The ISI organises the Mujahideen leaders into seven political parties, which came to be known as the ‘Peshawar Seven’.

1 January 1987

President Najibullah declares a ceasefire claiming that it will hold as long as its reciprocated by the mujahideen. However, such overtures are rejected by the ‘Peshawar Seven’.

8 February 1988

Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev publicly announces that the Soviets will begin their withdrawal in May, which will be completed within ten months.

14 April 1988

The Geneva Accords are signed, paving the way for the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan.

11 August 1988

Al Qaeda is said to have been formed during a meeting between Osama bin Laden, Abdullah Azzam and senior leaders of Egyptian Islamic Jihad in Peshawar.