2008 in Pakistan

Events from the year 2008 in Pakistan.

Incumbents

2 January – Pakistan announces that elections originally scheduled for 8 January will be postponed until the 18 February, following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
3 January – Benazir Bhutto assassination: President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf denies any role in Benazir Bhutto's death.
11 January – Beginning of Islamic Hijri year 1429 First of Muharram on Friday 11 January 2008.
19 January - Saturday 9th of Muharram, Official holiday in Pakistan in memory of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain
20 January – Sunday 10th of Muharram, Ashura, an official holiday in Pakistan-In memory of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain
31 January – The United States announces that Abu Laith al-Libi, a senior commander of Al-Qaeda who recruited and trained operatives, was killed in a missile strike in northwest Pakistan

9 February – 15 People are killed in an election rally in Charsada.
11 February – Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan is believed to have been kidnapped by suspected pro-Taliban militants.
12 February – The Government of Pakistan steps up security for "fair, transparent and peaceful" elections scheduled for 18 February.
13 February – Pakistan test fires a nuclear capable short range ballistic missile.
Two suspects confessed to a judge that they helped to arm the suicide bomber who killed Bhutto.
14 February – Three soldiers are killed by a bomb explosion near Khair, Surabaja.
15 February – Pakistan announces the arrest of a fifth man in connection with the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
Pakistan and India agree to double the number of flights between the two nations.
16 February – 37 people are killed in a bombing in the town of Parachinar at an election rally.
18 February – Elections take place in Pakistan.
19 February – Election results show that President Musharraf's party Pakistan Muslim League have received a heavy defeat.
21 February – Pakistan's two main opposition parties agree to form a coalition following the elections.
29 February – At least 45 people died and 82 were wounded in a suicide attack on the funeral February 29, 2008 of a district superintendent of police – killed earlier in the day in a separate attack – in Swat province.

22 March – The PPP nominate Yousaf Raza Gillani to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
25 March – Yousaf Raza Gillani is sworn in as Prime Minister of Pakistan.
24 March – Prime minister Gillani vows to free judges who were detained during emergency rule.
29 March – PM Gillani announces to the National Assembly that the fight against terrorism will be the top priority of the new government.

1 April – The new government of Pakistan announces that it will rethink the policy on militants.
15 April – President Musharraf announces he is lobbying the Chinese government to build gas and oil pipelines.
16 April – The Olympic torch arrives in Pakistan.
19 April – Taliban rebels release a video of Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan who they are holding as a hostage.

12 May – PML quits the cabinet, following the failure to restore judges.
16 May – Pakistan's Ambassador to Afghanistan, Tariq Azizuddin was set free by kidnappers.
17 May – Lawyers announced their plan for Long March to be held on 10 June, for the Restoration of Judges.

1 June – Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed left Pakistan Muslim League (Q) and formed his new Party, Awami Muslim League.
2 June – Car bomb attack near Denmark Embassy kills 8 people..

6 July – A suicide bomber attacked a police station in Islamabad killing 12 policemen and seven civilians in a rally marking the first anniversary of Lal Masjid siege.

12 August – First National Youth Awards conferred.
18 August – President Pervez Musharraf, faced with the prospect of being impeached, resigns from the office of president.
19 August – 32 people were killed while 55 injured in an attack in Dera Ismail Khan carried by Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.
23 August – At least 15 people were killed in a suicide attack at a police check post in Char Bagh area of Swat. Also, three persons including two kids were killed in a bomb blast in Abuha.

9 September – Asif Ali Zardari became 11th President of Pakistan
20 September – The Islamabad Marriott Hotel bombing executed by unidentified terrorists kills 54 people and injures 266.