Conflict Between India and Pakistan - An Encyclopedia

184 CHRONOLOGY

9 June republic and adopts a constitution as 12 April The UNSC appoints Sir Owen
17 August a federal republic. Nehru visits June–July Dixon, eminent jurist from
Washington, D.C., and addresses a July Australia, as UN representative on
17 October joint session of Congress. Kashmir. The appointment is
17 December September accepted by both India and
Britain devalues the pound sterling Pakistan.
1950 vis-à-vis the U.S. dollar, from $4.03 December
January to $2.80; most Commonwealth 1951 Owen Dixon conducts intensive
26 January countries (including India but not 16 January negotiations with governments of
April Pakistan) follow. Pakistan and India and also meets
Shaikh Abdullah in Srinagar and
Under the auspices of UNCIP, a Ghulam Abbas in Muzaffarabad.
cease-fire line agreement is signed in
Karachi by military representatives of The possibility of partition-cum-
Pakistan and India, along with plebiscite is raised at the
representatives of UNCIP. Liaquat–Nehru meeting in New
Delhi in July 1950, during which
After the Karachi Agreement on both sides seem ready to explore
Kashmir, UNCIP proposes a ideas beyond their original
tripartite meeting at political level on positions.
August 17 to conclude a truce
agreement stipulating a program of The Dixon Plan, proposed by Sir
withdrawal of forces. The meeting is Owen Dixon, UN representative for
cancelled in view of persisting India and Pakistan on Kashmir, is
differences between the two sides. submitted to the Security Council. It
proposes assigning Ladakh to India
Article 370 is inserted into the Indian and the Northern Areas and
Constitution giving Kashmir certain Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) to
special rights not given to other states Pakistan, to split Jammu between the
of India. two, and to hold a plebiscite in the
Kashmir Valley.
Following UNCIP’s final report the
UN Security Council requested its Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a strong
president, General A. G. L. man in India’s relations with
McNaughton (Canada), to mediate Pakistan, dies.
between the parties and find a
“mutually satisfactory basis for Nehru and Liaquat hold a meeting
dealing with the Kashmir problem.” in London during the
Commonwealth Prime Minister’s
In January General McNaughton Conference. The prime ministers of
begins mediation efforts but finds Australia, the UK, Canada, New
the positions of the two parties wide Zealand, and Ceylon (as of 1972, Sri
apart. Lanka) are present.

The republic of India is inaugurated. An Australian suggestion about
posting a Commonwealth brigade in
Nehru makes his first visit to Kashmir and holding a limited
Pakistan (accompanied by his plebiscite is not acceptable to either
daughter, Indira, and son-in-law, country, with Pakistan insisting on a
Feroze Gandhi). He is met at Karachi plebiscite for the entire state and
by Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan India unwilling to countenance the
and his cabinet. The Liaquat–Nehru stationing of “foreign troops on
Pact is signed. Indian soil.”

CHRONOLOGY 185

28 January The president of the UN Security 1953 except the size of Pakistani Kashmir
Council states that: and of Indian and Kashmir state
July 25–27 July forces to be retained on the eve of
September (a) The question of accession should August the plebiscite and the timing of the
7 September be decided by plebiscite, 17–20 August plebiscite administrator’s
(b) The plebiscite is to be conducted appointment.
October under conditions ensuring complete October
impartiality, and 1954 Further negotiations at UN and in
1952 (c) hence to be held under the aegis April Geneva do not reduce the March 27
March of United Nations; “these matters are differences on these basic points.
not disputed between the parties.” Finally, Graham reports the failure of
16 July his mission to the Security Council
India’s first Five-Year Plan published. on March 27, 1953.

India’s President Rajendra Prasad Agreement is reached by the prime
threatens to resign over the Hindu ministers of India and Pakistan,
Code Bill. meeting in Delhi regarding the
settlement of Bengal boundary
The UN Security Council’s disputes.
representative Frank Graham
presents 12 proposals to India and Pakistani and Indian prime ministers
Pakistan. While some are acceptable meet in Karachi and agree that a
to both, disagreement persists on the resolution of their disputes is
quantum and disposition of troops “essential to progress in both
and on the induction into office of a countries.”
plebiscite administrator. Meetings to
resolve the differences, held in New Sheikh Abdullah’s government in
York and Geneva, fail to achieve Kashmir is dismissed by J. Nehru;
results. Abdullah is arrested.

Liaquat Ali Khan is assassinated, Pakistan’s Prime Minister
gunned down by a hired assassin in Mohammed Ali visits New Delhi. A
Rawalpindi’s army cantonment. communiqué issued at the end of
meetings says that the issue of
Dr. S. P. Mookerjee, former president Kashmir “should be settled in
of the Hindu Mahasabha, launches accordance with the wishes of the
the Jana Sangh, a communalist party. people of that State with a view to
promoting their well-being and
India’s first general elections are held: causing the least disturbance to the
Congress wins large majority, thereby life of the people of the State.” Both
maintaining and legitimizing one- countries agree on the appointment
party dominance. of a plebiscite administrator by the
end of April 1954.
Language riots break out in East
Pakistan; Bengalis are critical of Formation of Andhra Pradesh,
Punjabis. India’s first linguistic state.

In his revised proposals, Graham Akali Dal begins demand for a
tries to narrow down the differences Punjab Subha.
on the size and disposition of
troops but does not succeed. A Sino-Indian agreement is reached
Negotiations continue and an on Tibet, whereby India recognizes
agreement is reached on all points Tibet as part of China.

186 CHRONOLOGY

June Zhou Enlai (Chou En-lai) visits Naga insurgency begins in northeast
Delhi. Joint statements are released India.
September on Panch Sheel; principles of peace
are issued. Pakistan’s constitution introduces the
1955 One Unit Scheme and presidential
January Pakistan signs a mutual defense system.
February agreement with the United States.
April 1957 India’s first atomic reactor, at
SEATO, the Southeast Asian Treaty 20 January Trombay near Bombay (Mumbai), is
December Organization, is launched from inaugurated by Nehru; it started
Manila, with Pakistan as a member operation in August 1956.
1956 and India opposed.
July 22 January India and Pakistan sign a new trade
October The Muslim League is defeated by agreement
the United Front in East Pakistan
November elections. 24–26 January Zhou Enlai visits Delhi for talks with
Nehru.
Congress declares that a “socialistic
pattern of society” is the objective of 26 January Kashmir’s constitution providing for
planning. incorporation of the territory into
India comes into force. Anti-Indian
Soviet economic assistance to India is protest demonstrations occur in
inaugurated, with the announcement Karachi, Lahore, Hyderabad, and
of the building of a steel mill. Dacca (later Dhaka).

Bandung conference takes place, Throughout the year India has to
with Indian and Pakistan’s wage an almost ceaseless polemical
participation. battle in the UN over Kashmir.

Pakistan adheres to the Iraq-Turkey 30 January Control over movements of
Treaty and the Baghdad Pact. Commonwealth nationals in India
(in effect of Pakistani and South
Soviet leaders Bulganin and African nationals) are made similar
Krushchev visit India and announce to control over movements of
support for India’s stand on Kashmir foreigners.
and are critical of Pakistan’s
membership of SEATO and the New Delhi announces that, following
Baghdad Pact. the resignation of the minister of
defense, the portfolio has been taken
The three nonallied triumvirs—Tito, over by Nehru.
Nasser, and Nehru—meet on Tito’s
Adriatic holiday island, Brioni. 25 March Elections to Jammu-Kashmir state
assembly, held on March 25 and 30
Nehru condemns Anglo-French and respectively, resulted in a majority for
Israeli action in Suez but not the the ruling National Conference Party.
Soviet suppression of the Hungarian
uprising. Pakistan is critical of Soviet 5 April India’s second general election results
suppression in Hungary but show Indian National Congress Party
equivocal about the Suez War. (Congress) majority in the Lok
Sabha and in 11 of the 13 state
India’s States Reorganisation Bill is assemblies. Congress also wins the
passed; the militant phase of the outstanding four seats in Himachal
Pradesh.

CHRONOLOGY 187

13 April Sardar Mohammad Ibrahim Khan, 4 November Dr. Karan Singh, son of the former
president of the All-Jammu- 9 November Maharaja, is reelected Kashmir’s head
14 April Kashmir Moslem Conference, takes 27 November of state for the next five years by the
17 April office as president of the Azad 6 December Kashmir state assembly without
17 May Jammu-Kashmir government [i.e., opposition.
25 May of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir 11 December
3 June (POK)]. 16 December India and Soviet Union sign an
23 June 1958 agreement in New Delhi
26 June Nehru, in a speech in New Delhi, implementing details of credit
10 July makes a further appeal to the great October agreement of May 21, 1956.
powers to stop tests of nuclear 1959
bombs. January Nehru publicly issues a renewed
appeal to the United States and the
Nehru forms a new Indian Congress- March Soviet Union to end nuclear weapon
led government. tests and to bring about effective
disarmament.
Krishna Menon becomes minister of
defense. Indian government announces
agreement with British-owned
Nehru visits Ceylon at the invitation Burmah Oil Company on formation
of Bandaranaike (May 17–20) to of joint rupee company to exploit
participate in 2,500th anniversary new oil resources in northeastern
celebrations of the birth of the Assam; agreement establishes Oil
Buddha. India Private, Ltd., signed January 14,
1958.
India and Communist China renew
their two-year trade agreement of Pakistan’s Prime Minister I. I.
October 14, 1954, from 1956 to Chundrigar resigns.
December 31, 1958, by an exchange
of letters. New Pakistan cabinet under Malik
Feroze Noon is sworn in.
Baghdad Pact’s Permanent Council
holds its third annual meeting in President Mirza abrogates
Karachi (June 3–6). Pakistan’s constitution and
dismisses the central and provincial
Nehru makes extensive tour of governments.
several Scandinavian countries.
Ayub Khan becomes Pakistan’s head
Pakistan and Afghanistan sign an air of government and chief martial law
agreement and exchange ratifications administrator in a peaceful coup.
on December 12.
India protests to China over Aksai
Commonwealth Prime Minister Chin Road.
Conference held in London (June
26–July 5). India is represented by I. Gandhi is elected president of the
Nehru and Pakistan by H. S. Congress Party. Zhou Enlai lays
Suhrawardy. claim to large areas of India’s
territory. President Eisenhower visits
Pakistan’s Prime Minister H. S. India as part of an extensive foreign
Suhrawardy visits the United States tour.
(July 19–26) and has talks with
President Dwight D. Eisenhower Dalai Lama flees from Tibet into
and John Foster Dulles (July India. China reacts critically.
10–12).

188 CHRONOLOGY

July Kerala’s communist-led state 7 November Nehru accepts Defense Minister
15 September government is dismissed. 21 November Krishna Menon’s resignation from
1960 26 December the cabinet.
May Pakistan’s President Ayub Khan
meets with Jawaharlal Nehru at Delhi 1963 China announces unilateral cease-
July airport, and they speak of settling fire.
September Kashmir.
India, under pressure from the
1961 President Ayub and Nehru meet in United States and Britain, engages in
November London at Commonwealth Prime six rounds of secret talks with
Ministers’ Conference and discuss Pakistan on Kashmir and other
December Kashmir but without making related issues. Pakistani Foreign
1962 progress toward settlement. Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and
January Indian External Affairs Minister
20 October India adopts a Forward Policy in Sardar Swaran Singh participate in
border areas. Khrushchev visits the talks.
India.
First round at Rawalpindi (December
Indus Waters Treaty between India 26–29, 1962) is confined to
and Pakistan is signed. preliminaries, historical aspects, and
respective stands.
Feroze Gandhi, Indira’s husband,
dies. India seems ready to accept the
partition of Kashmir while urging
Nehru visits Karachi and Rawalpindi. that the division should take into
Kashmir forms one of main topics of account geographic, administrative,
discussion with Ayub but without and other considerations and that
results. the settlement should involve the
least possible disturbance to the life
Queen Elizabeth II visits India and and welfare of the people.
Pakistan as part of an extensive
Commonwealth tour. Second round of Pakistan–India
talks held in Delhi (January 16–20,
During Nehru’s visit to the United 1963) and a third in Karachi (April
States, President John F. Kennedy 21–25), with Pakistan calling for a
asks him to solve the Kashmir issue plebiscite and India opposing it. At
(at the insistence of Ayub Khan). the fourth round in Calcutta
Nehru rules out any solution other (March 12–14), India suggests an
than the one based on the cease-fire adjustment of the cease-fire line to
line. settle the dispute, which Pakistan
rejects, while a fifth round in
Indian forces invade and annex the Karachi (April 21–25) is taken up
Portuguese colony of Goa, stirring with India’s protest at the recently
up much foreign criticism, especially signed Pakistan–China boundary
from Pakistan. agreement under which some part
of the former State is ceded to
India’s third general elections are China. At a sixth and final round at
held. Delhi (May 14–16), Pakistan
proposes a plebiscite confined to the
Chinese offensive is launched across Kashmir Valley, which it further
India’s borders. suggests should be placed under
international control for 12 to15
months prior to the holding of
elections.

CHRONOLOGY 189

March If the plebiscite is not acceptable, August Nehru’s sudden death in New Delhi
August then the people’s wishes should be 12 October aborts Abdullah’s mission. Abdullah
1964 ascertained by some other form and returns to India.
March the dispute settled. India rejects both October–
24 May proposals. During these talks India November Indira Gandhi is elected to
offers Pakistan some strips of parliament (Rajya Sabha, or upper
27 May territory to the west and north of the 20 December house) for the first time.
valley but will concede no part of the
valley itself. 1965 Ayub and Shastri meet in Karachi for
9 April several hours of conversation about
Sino-Pakistan border and territorial world affairs and Indo-Pakistan
agreement is vehemently criticized by 30 June relations, but no dramatic
the Indian government for September announcements are made, nor is
purporting to deal with territory that there any expression of mutual
India regards as its own. October– goodwill. However, it is agreed that
December the next main contact will be at
Many of Nehru’s senior cabinet ministerial level.
colleagues, including Moraji Desai, 1966
resign under the Kamaraj Plan to The Communist Party of India splits.
work for the party.
Five hundred are arrested in India,
Indian government creates the State suspected of being Chinese spies.
of Nagaland in the extreme
northeast. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)
is founded by Swami
Anti-Muslim violence breaks out in Chinmayananda.
India.
Indian and Pakistani soldiers clash in
Nehru invites Sheikh Abdullah to the border region of the Rann of
Delhi, and the two have cordial Kutch, northwest India, and
discussions. Abdullah travels to southeast corner of Pakistan.
Pakistan and also to Pakistani
Kashmir, where he confers with India and Pakistan sign a cease-fire
President K. H. Khurshid. Some say regarding Rann of Kutch.
that Nehru has a change of heart on
Kashmir, though others deny it. The war between India and Pakistan
along Pakistan’s eastern borders from
Ayub later records that Abdullah Kashmir to the Arabian Sea lasts five
proposes confederal arrangements weeks.
among Pakistan, India, and Kashmir,
which he rejects. Mirza Afzal Beg, Much active diplomacy takes place,
who accompanies Abdullah to especially involving Britain, the
Pakistan, later tells Indian author United States, and the Soviet Union
P. L. Lakhanpal, “various solutions of to settle the outstanding disputes of
the dispute were talked about in the Indo-Pakistan war diplomatically.
general terms but no preferences for
any particular solutions were Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri
indicated.” and President Ayub Khan sign the
Tashkent Agreement on January 10,
Nehru dies at age 74 and is succeeded 1966, formally ending the five weeks
as India’s prime minister by L. B. of war between Pakistan and India of
Shastri. I. Gandhi becomes minister August–September 1965.
of information and broadcasting.

190 CHRONOLOGY

10 January Shastri dies after signing the Indo- 1968 Communal disturbances are also
24 January Pakistan Tashkent Agreement. more frequent than in 1967,
6 June 2 January particularly in the states of Assam,
1967 Indira Gandhi is sworn in as prime West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh,
February minister. February Kerala, and Mysore. An ominous
aspect of this increase in communal
12 March The Indian rupee is devalued by 35.5 19 June rancor is its eruption in parts of
May percent under World Bank pressure. 1 July southern India.
8 July
1968 The Mizo insurgency escalates. 13 November The Indian government releases
1969 Sheikh Abdullah. During the rest of
India holds its fourth general January the year he proposes various
elections. Indira Gandhi is forced to 30 January solutions, none of which seem
accept Moraji Desai as deputy prime generally acceptable within India.
minister. Indo-Pakistan discussions, mainly of
a technical nature, are resumed
Indira Gandhi is reelected prime regarding eastern rivers, especially
minister of India, marking the end of the Farraka Barrage and the
dominance by the Congress threatened loss of irrigation water in
throughout India. East Pakistan, but little progress is
made.
Indira Gandhi announces 10-point
program, including bank The Rann of Kutch Tribunal issues
nationalization and abolition of its findings, awarding a portion of
Maharajas’ privy purses and the territory in dispute to Pakistan
privileges. [about 777 square kilometers (300
square miles) of its claim] and by
The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is April the two sides begin the work of
founded, with Z. A. Bhutto as its border demarcation.
head.
India protests to China, alleging
After the third general election in Chinese complicity in training
India in 1967, there are ministries subversives in Nagaland.
formed in several states made up of
coalitions of parties, other than in Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty is
the Congress, which result in 1968 signed by the UK, the United States,
being a year of marked political USSR, and several other states, but
instability for India. Coalitions fall not by India or Pakistan.
apart consequent to the inability of
any single party to form a stable India’s president Zakir Husain arrives
government, and president’s rule has in Moscow on a 10-day visit.
to be imposed with the promise of
fresh elections in the near future. In Pakistan, PPP leader Z. A. Bhutto
This occurs first in Haryana toward is arrested following disorders in
the end of 1967and is followed in West Pakistan.
1968 by West Bengal in February,
Uttar Pradesh in April, Bihar in June, The centenary of the birth of
and the Punjab in August. This Mahatma Gandhi is celebrated
political fluidity impairs the throughout India and many places
continuity of administration, which overseas.
is all the more essential because of
the increase in various forms of Indian prime minister Indira
public turmoil and agitation. Gandhi, prays at the spot near the

February River Jumna where the Mahatma was April CHRONOLOGY 191
25 March assassinated 21 years before. 13 May
Indus Waters Treaty between India
March President Ayub Khan of Pakistan 21 July and Pakistan, signed in 1960,
1970 proposes discussions with opposition expires.
February leaders for constitutional reform October
March (February 26–March 13); he holds a November President Yahya Khan announces the
conference of political leaders in December legal framework order laying down
Rawalpindi. rules for transferring power back to
1971 civilian authorities.
President Ayub Khan resigns; March
General Yahya Khan, commander-in- 25 March Field Marshal Ayub Khan, Pakistan’s
chief of the army, on March 31 president (1958–1969), dies of a
assumes office as president. heart attack in Islamabad.
Communal violence afflicts parts of
India. Pakistan lodges a protest against the
communal riots that broke out in
Gujerat goes through an orgy of Bhiwandi (Bombay) and urges the
violence—Hindu-Muslim riots, the Indian government to protect the
like of which India has not Muslim minority.
experienced since partition in
1947—engulfs several parts of the India and Pakistan agree in a joint
state; nearly 1,000 people are killed. communiqué that Farraka should be
The course of Pakistan’s or India’s the point of delivery of Ganges
foreign relations is little affected by waters to Pakistan, at the end of
their internal turmoil. meeting July 16–21 in New Delhi.

The Rann of Kutch dispute, which India sends a note to Pakistan on
has brought about Indo-Pakistan Kashmir.
armed clashes early in 1965, is
formally concluded in June. East Pakistan’s coastal districts are hit
Following demarcation of the by a cyclone in which more than a
boundary and exchange of maps, million die.
each party withdraws from the
territory it is no longer entitled to Pakistan’s National Assembly
hold. elections are held—166 of the 300
seats in the Assembly are won by the
A series of discussions on the Awami League, while 81 seats are
Farraka Barrage covers technical won by the Pakistan People’s Party,
aspects of the problem but fails to displaying a pattern of marked
reach an agreement on how the regionalization of political
Ganges water is to be allocated when preferences.
the barrage is completed.
Throughout the year, a stalemate Gandhi dissolves parliament and
over Kashmir continues to impede a calls for midterm parliamentary
general rapprochement. elections.

Indo-Pakistan talks on Ganga waters Gandhi wins a two-thirds majority in
begin in Islamabad. the Lok Sabha (the lower house of
parliament).
Joint communiqué is issued at the
end of talks on Farraka Barrage in Pakistan’s army begins military
Islamabad. crackdown in East Pakistan; Mujib-
ur Rahman is arrested in Dhaka by
the army and imprisoned.

192 CHRONOLOGY

July Refugees from East Pakistan, 16 December Indo-Pakistan cease-fire and troop
especially Hindus, start fleeing across 17 December withdrawal.
August the border into Assam and West 20 December
3 December Bengal. 22 December Pakistan’s army commander
4 December surrenders in Dhaka; Bangladesh
6 December By July it is estimated that at least 7 1972 emerges de facto as an independent
8 December million people have fled across the 3 January state.
9 December border into India and that refugees 12 January
are still arriving at the rate of about 30 January India orders a unilateral cease-fire on
10 December 50,000 a day. Many of the refugees the western front. President Yahya
14 December are living in the open or in 4 February Khan accepts the cease-fire.
makeshift camps, facing starvation 9 February
and cholera as the monsoon season Z. A. Bhutto succeeds Yahya Khan as
begins. 14 February head of government in Pakistan.
3 March
Indira Gandhi signs the Treaty of The UN Security Council Resolution
Peace, Friendship and Co-operation on a cease-fire demands that a
with the Soviet Union. durable cessation of hostilities be
observed and remain in effect until
Pakistan Air Force attacks Indian air withdrawals take place, and it calls
bases; the third open Indo-Pakistan for international relief assistance and
War begins. Pakistan makes a formal the rehabilitation of refugees.
declaration of war on India.
At a public meeting in Karachi, Z. A.
In the eastern section, Indian troops, Bhutto receives approval to release
in concert with the Mukti Bahini Sheikh Mujib-Ur Rahman from jail.
(local freedom fighters), move into
East Pakistan at several points. Sheikh Mujib-Ur Rahman is sworn
in as prime minister of Bangladesh.
India accords recognition to
Bangladesh, and Pakistan breaks off Pakistan quits the Commonwealth
diplomatic relations with India. over Bangladesh.

General Sam Manekshaw, India’s Pakistan’s third constitution is
chief of the Army staff, calls on introduced; riots break out following
Pakistani “occupation” forces in the tabling of the Sindhi language
Bangladesh to surrender immediately bill.
to the Indian army.
Britain recognizes Bangladesh.
In a statement in parliament, India’s
defense minister announces that Accord is issued in Calcutta, after
Pakistan’s largest submarine, the talks between Indira Gandhi and
U.S.-built Ghazi, was sunk off Sheikh Mujib-Ur Rahman, promising
Vishakhapatnan on the night of the withdrawal of India’s armed
December 3–4. forces from Bangladesh by March 25.

India guarantees safe conduct for India, in a letter to the UN secretary-
planes from several countries to general, offers to hold direct talks
evacuate foreign nationals from with Pakistan “at any time, at any
Karachi, Islamabad, and Dacca. level and without precondition.”

At the UN, the Soviet Union uses its Pakistan’s Lieutenant General Gul
veto for the third time to block a U.S. Hasan, chief of staff of the Army, and
resolution calling for an immediate

CHRONOLOGY 193

12 March Air Marshal Rahim Khan, Air Force 10 August Simla Agreement is formally ratified
4 April chief, are replaced by General Tikka by the Indian parliament.
25 April Khan and Air Marshal Zafar 28 November
30 April Choudhry, respectively. 11 December Representatives of India and
12 December Pakistan’s Army chief reach an
28 June India’s armed forces withdraw from 1973 agreement on procedure for the
June–July Bangladesh at a ceremonial parade in 20 February delineation of the line of control in
Dacca. Jammu-Kashmir in light of the
15 July April cease-fire of December 17, 1971.
25 July The National Assembly convenes in
Islamabad to frame a new First meeting of the Army chiefs of
constitution for Pakistan. India and Pakistan (December 1),
with Generals Manekshaw and Tikka
India’s chairman of the Policy Khan, is held in Lahore; they issue a
Planning Committee of the Ministry joint statement.
of External Affairs D. P. Dhar, a
Kashmiri, leaves for Islamabad for Agreement on the delineation of LoC
talks with Bhutto’s emissary. in Jammu-Kashmir is reached in
accordance with the Simla
India and Pakistan agree to a summit Agreement of the previous June–July.
meeting between Indira Gandhi and Maps are initialed by representatives
Z. A. Bhutto at the end of May or of the two armies.
beginning of June, according to a
communiqué released after the India’s Foreign Minister, Sardar
meetings of the special emissaries of Siwaran Singh, makes a statement in
the president of Pakistan and the parliament that India has informed
prime minister of India at Muree and Pakistan of its withdrawal of the
Rawalpindi. claim on two villages (Dhum and
Chilkot).
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Indira
Gandhi meet in Simla, India, to deal Two 18-year-old Pakistanis, Basharat
with consequences of the 1971 war. Hussain and Mohammad Hussain,
On July 2, the two leaders reach an are shot dead by the police when
accord and sign the Simla Agreement. they attempt an armed raid on the
Indian High Commission in
On Jammu-Kashmir, the accord London.
renames the cease-fire line as the line
of actual control to reflect some A 15-year-old Pakistani boy involved
minor adjustments that are mutually in this attempt is later sentenced by
agreed on, and it pledges both sides the Juvenile Court. Newspaper
to respect the new line. A proviso is reports say that the raid was
added at Bhutto’s insistence saying organized by the Black December
that this would be “without prejudice group.
to the recognized position of either
side.” It also commits both countries Gandhi breaks the tradition of
to “further undertake to refrain from appointing the chief justice on the
the threat of use of force in violation basis of seniority.
of this line.”
Indian troops annex Sikkim.
Pakistan’s National Assembly ratifies
the Simla Agreement. Tribal insurgency breaks out in
Baluchistan.
India’s Union Cabinet approves the
Simla Agreement.

194 CHRONOLOGY

12 April Pakistan’s new constitution is 5–9. After discussion on the various
authenticated by President Bhutto. issues mentioned in the Delhi
Agreement of August 28, 1973, they
10 July The National Assembly of Pakistan sign a tripartite agreement regarding
passes a resolution authorizing the repatriation of prisoners held in
government to recognize Bangladesh. these countries.

24–31 July The Special Representative of the Swaran Singh and Aziz Ahmed sign
Prime Minister of India P. N. Haksar, an agreement on the release and
a Kashmiri, and the Pakistan May repatriation of persons detained in
Minister of State for Defence and 18 May either country prior to the conflict of
Foreign Affairs Aziz Ahmed hold 1971.
talks in Rawalpindi to try to solve the
humanitarian problems set out in the Railway strike occurs in India.
Indo-Bangladesh Declaration of
April 17, 1973. India tests a so-called peaceful
nuclear explosion (PNE).
14 August Pakistan’s third constitution is
promulgated, Z. A. Bhutto becomes At a press conference in Lahore,
prime minister, and Fazal Ilahi 19 May Prime Minister Bhutto demands
Chaudhry becomes president. what he calls a nuclear umbrella to
protect Pakistan from nuclear
28 August P. N. Haksar and Aziz Ahmed sign an blackmail after India carries out a
agreement in Delhi to solve the successful peaceful nuclear explosion
humanitarian problems that resulted 31 May on May 18.
from the August 28 conflict of 1971.
This agreement provides for the Reacting to the nuclear explosion by
repatriation of prisoners who are India, Pakistan calls for the
nationals of India, Pakistan, and postponement of the talks on
Bangladesh to their respective restoration of postal
countries. The government of telecommunication and travel
Bangladesh concurs in this facilities planned for June 10 until “a
agreement. more favourable atmosphere is
created.”
19 September The repatriation of Muslim Bengalis
from Pakistan and of the non- In response to a request from
Bengalis from Bangladesh begins. 25 July members of the Pakistan National
Assembly that the government of
1974 Pakistan recognizes Bangladesh, Pakistan should take up with the
February which is admitted to the government of India the question of
Organisation of the Islamic Sadar Bazar riots of April–May 1974
Conference (OIC), founded in1969, in Delhi, Aziz Ahamed says:
for its summit meeting in Lahore.
(i) in the past, Pakistan used to take
March J. P. (Jaya Prakash) Movement starts up such cases with India under
in Bihar. Nehru–Liaquat pact; (ii) the pact
was primarily about East Pakistan
9 April Dr. Kamal Hossain, foreign minister and adjoining Indian provinces and
of Bangladesh, Sardar Swaran Singh, with East Pakistan gone, no useful
minister of external affairs, India, and purpose would be served by lodging
Aziz Ahmed, minister of state for a protest with New Delhi and (iii)
defense and foreign affairs of under the Simla Agreement, it
Pakistan, meet in New Delhi April would be treated as an internal
matter.

CHRONOLOGY 195

27 July Under Parliamentary pressure the radio broadcasting stations of
16 August however, the government of Pakistan both countries comes into force.
11 September handed over an aide-memoire to the
14 September government of India expressing 22 November At the conclusion of the talks in
concern over the Sadar Bazar riots. Islamabad between the Indian
21 October delegation led by Narottam Sehgal,
The government of India, through secretary, ministry of tourism and
an aide-memoire, replies to the civil aviation, and the Pakistan
government of Pakistan’s aide- delegation led by Major General
memoire on the Sadar Bazarriots, Fazal Maqeem Khan, secretary,
saying it is unable to agree that defense and aviation, a joint
Pakistan had any right to raise communiqué is issued regarding
officially a matter that falls entirely progress of civil aviation matters
within India’s domestic between the two countries, and they
jurisdiction. decide to continue the dialogue in
New Delhi. No agreement is
The National Assembly of Pakistan reached.
declares the Ahmadiyas sect non-
Muslim. 30 November Y. T. Shah, secretary to the
government of India, ministry of
Kewal Singh, foreign secretary of commerce, and Ejaz Ahmed Naik,
India, and Agha Shahi, secretary of secretary, government of Pakistan,
foreign affairs of Pakistan, sign the ministry of commerce, hold talks in
following agreements in Islamabad: New Delhi on November 26–30,
1974, and sign a protocol on the
(i) Agreement relating to the resumption of trade. This protocol
exchange of postal articles. provided for a trade agreement to be
(ii) Agreement regarding signed in the near future.
establishment of telecommunication
services like telephone, telex, and 1975 Indian delegation, led by
telegrams. 15 January Ramakrishnaya, secretary
(iii) Visa agreement to provide travel government of India, ministry of
facilities to nationals of either shipping and transport, holds
country desiring to visit the other. meetings with the Pakistan
This agreement defined the types of delegation led by T. Kidwai, secretary,
visas, the check posts at the government of Pakistan, ministry of
registration formalities. communications at New Delhi on
(iv) Protocol on visit of pilgrims January 11–15, 1975, and signs a
from either country to the religious protocol on the resumption of
shrines situated in the other. shipping services.

Agha Shahi hands over a letter of 23 January Pursuant to the protocol signed on
understanding for the cessation of November 30, 1974, on the
hostile propaganda by the radio resumption of trade, Y. T. Shah and
broadcasting stations of both Ejaz Ahmed Naik meet at Islamabad
countries. At the conclusion of the and sign a trade agreement.
meeting held at Islamabad on
September 12–14, a joint 31 January The Cotton Corporation of India
communiqué is issued covering the and the Pakistan Cotton Export
progress made during these talks. Corporation sign an agreement in
Bombay under which India is to
Kewal Singh replies to the letter from import raw cotton valued at 250
Agha Shahi, and the agreement for million rupees from Pakistan.
cessation of hostile propaganda by

196 CHRONOLOGY

Prime Minister Bhutto declares that respective Foreign Secretaries Jagat
he will call for a hartal in Jammu- Mehta and Agha Shahi, meet in
Kashmir as well as in Pakistan and Islamabad with the objective of
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to resuming normalization of relations.
protest against the projected The joint statement issued after the
agreement between the government talks announces agreement on the
of India and Sheikh Mohammad following:
Abdullah. India points out that this
utterance is against the meeting in (i) Withdrawal of complaints from
Peshawar. ICAO and the restoration of air links
and over flights.
8 February Hayat Mohammad Khan Sherpao, (ii) Resumption of goods and
chief minister of the Northwest passenger traffic by rail via Wagah-
12 February Frontier Province, is assassinated Attari border check post.
15 February while addressing a public meeting in (iii) The re-establishment of
Peshawar. diplomatic relations at ambassadorial
June level.
25–26 June The United States lifts its arms (iv) Private sector participation in
15 August embargo on Pakistan imposed bilateral trade.
November during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War. (v) Repatriation of detainees from
both countries.
1976 Kewal Singh sends a protest letter to 21 June
22 March Agha Shahi criticizing Pakistan radio 28 June K. S. Bajpai is announced as India’s
12 May reports about “bloody clashes” in ambassador-designate to Pakistan.
Kashmir over the agreement between
Gandhi and Sheikh Abdullah. The agreement for resumption of
railway traffic between the two
Gandhi is found guilty of corrupt 16 July countries is signed.
electoral practices by Allahabad High
Court. The agreement for resumption of air
services between the two countries is
The Emergency is imposed by Indira 21 July signed.
Gandhi. It lasts 21 months.
Air services between India and
Sheikh Mujib-Ur Rahman, president Pakistan resume. Ambassadors-
of Bangladesh is assassinated. designate to both countries reach
their respective capitals by the first
Chinese troops ambush an Indian 22 July flights.
security patrol along India’s northern
border, killing four men in the first After a lapse of 11 years, the rail link
flare-up between the two countries in between Amritsar and Lahore is
eight years. reestablished.

Lieutenant General Mohammad Zia- 24 July Diplomatic relations, suspended in
ul Haq is appointed as the next chief 10 September 1971, are formally reestablished when
of Army staff in Pakistan. Ambassadors K. S. Bajpai and Syed
Fida Hussain present their
Pursuant to the letters exchanged credentials.
between Prime Minister Indira
Gandhi and Prime Minister Bhutto An Indian aircraft flying from Delhi
on March 27, 1976, April 11, 1976, to Bombay is hijacked by six armed
and April 18, 1976, delegations from men. On January 5, 1977, the
India and Pakistan, led by the government of Pakistan releases the
hijackers, which the Indian

CHRONOLOGY 197

spokesperson describes as “highly 5 July General Zia-ul-Haq removes Prime
regrettable.” Minister Bhutto from office, declares
1977 martial law, and appoints himself the
11 January The Pakistan National Alliance is chief martial law administrator.
10 February formed from nine political parties.
3 September Z. A. Bhutto is accused of conspiracy
March Indian Ambassador K. S. Bajpai to murder.
orally conveys to Agha Shahi the
7 March Indian government’s objection to the 16 September Z. A. Bhutto is arrested in Larkana.
10 March publication of a white paper on
8 April Kashmir. 10 November The Supreme Court issues its verdict
on Begum Nusrat Bhutto vs. Chief of
11–14 April Director General of the Foreign the Army Staff and Federation of
Office Mehdi represents Pakistan for Pakistan, validating the
the funeral of President Fakhr- extraconstitutional measures in a
uddeen Ali Ahmad. state of emergency “in the interest of
the State and for the welfare of the
Messages of felicitations are sent people, as also the fact that the
by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi Constitution was not abrogated, but
and Acting President Jatti to Prime merely held in abeyance.”
Minister Bhutto and the Pakistan
president, respectively, on PPP’s 1978 India and Pakistan exchange
success in Pakistan’s elections. 4 January detainees still held in each other’s
Following the elections in India, countries following the 1971 conflict.
Prime Minister Bhutto sends
messages of congratulations to 6–8 February Indian Foreign Minister Atal Bihari
Prime Minister Moraji Desai on Vajpayee pays a goodwill visit to
the occasion of the election of the Pakistan.
first non-Congress government in
India. 9–19 February Four hockey matches between India
and Pakistan—two in India and two
General elections are held for the in Pakistan—are played for the first
National Assembly in Pakistan. time in a decade.

Elections are held for the four 20 February Dr. Amir Mohammad, adviser to
provincial assemblies in Pakistan. Pakistan’s chief martial law
administrator, visits India at the
Moraji Desai replies to Z. A. invitation of S. S. Barnala, minister
Bhutto’s letter on April 8. Bhutto has for agriculture and irrigation.
stated that a no-war pact with India
can be considered only if the 18 March Bhutto is sentenced to death in a
Kashmir issue is resolved or if a self- unanimous decision by Lahore High
executing or monitoring machinery Court.
is provided for the settlement of
their dispute. 14 April India and Pakistan sign a bilateral
agreement on the Salal Dam in India.
Indo-Pakistan trade talks at the Agha Shahi, adviser to General Zia
secretary level are held in New Delhi on foreign affairs, visits India in this
April 11–14, 1977, to review the 1975 connection.
Trade Agreement between the two
countries. It is decided to extend the 6–8 May The Commerce Secretaries of the
validity of the agreement to January two countries meet in Islamabad to
22, 1978. review trade connections.

198 CHRONOLOGY

Karakoram highway is opened to ambassadors; India’s ambassador
traffic in the presence of M. Keng declines the invitation. Agha Shahi,
Piao, vice premier of People’s speaking in the UN General
Republic of China. Assembly, calls for a just and
honorable solution of Jammu-
19 August Agha Shahi, in his speech at the Kashmir issue in the spirit of the
Pakistan Association of World Simla Agreement.
Federalists in Karachi, says that,
with regard to conventional 7–9 October Another round of trade talks
armaments, Pakistan is awaiting between India and Pakistan is held in
response from India to Pakistan’s Islamabad. There is not much
proposals, first made in 1974, to progress.
negotiate a mutual and balanced
reduction of force. 29 October President Zia tells a press conference
that there is no question of
31 August Meeting between India’s Prime abolishing the visa system between
Minister Desai and General Zia in India and Pakistan.
Nairobi at the funeral of President
Kenyatta. Pakistan returns a portion of wheat
seeds purchased from India on the
1 September The government of Pakistan is grounds that the seeds are infested
permitted in principle to allow an with weevil.
Indian consulate to open in Karachi
in return for a Pakistani consulate to India and Pakistan agree to
be opened in Bombay. streamline and speed up railway
traffic between the two countries
2–4 September Pakistan Minister for Food and during the two-day talks between the
Agriculture Khwaja Mohammad officials held in New Delhi.
Safdar visits India from September
2–4 in connection with purchase of 18–19 November L. K. Advani, minister for
wheat seeds. An agreement is reached information and broadcasting, goes
for the sale of wheat seeds by India to to Pakistan on an official visit.
Pakistan. Pakistan’s minister for information
raises the subject of disturbances in
Two planeloads carrying tents, milk Aligarh in his discussions with
powder, medicines, and cotton sheets Advani. Advani meets President Zia
are sent by Pakistan to India for the briefly at the venue of a cricket
flood-affected areas. match.

16 September General Zia is sworn in as president, A group of Sikh pilgrims visits
replacing Fazal Elahi Chaudhry, who Nankana Sahib on the occasion of
retires upon completion of his term. the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.

7 December Pakistan’s Foreign Office issues a
strongly worded statement regarding
22 September An Indian cricket team arrives in the tone and content of India’s
Karachi on September 25 on an foreign minister’s speech in India’s
eight-week tour of Pakistan. Parliament while replying to a
motion on December 6 regarding a
25–29 September A four-member delegation from study conducted by the UN
India goes to Pakistan to discuss Subcommission on Protection of
locust control. Discrimination and Protection of
Minorities that listed Jammu-
3–5 October General Zia visits Hunza and Kashmir among the problems still
Karakoram highways on October awaiting settlement. On the same
3–5. He is accompanied by 15

day, the Indian ambassador is 21 April CHRONOLOGY 199
summoned by the Pakistan foreign 28–31 May
secretary in this connection. Zia, in a press conference talking
25–29 June about the Jamshedpur riots, says that
1979 Ganga Singh Dhillon, a 25 July he is grateful to Moraji Desai and the
17 January representative of the Nankan Shaib Indian government for not having
Foundation, visits Pakistan and said a word about Pakistan’s internal
meets General Zia. affairs.

21 January General Zia, at a banquet for China’s About 1,000 Sikh pilgrims, led by
visiting Vice Premier Li, says that the Sardar Jeevan Singh Umranangal,
Kashmir problem is the greatest visit Panja Sahib.
hurdle in the process of the
normalization of Indo-Pakistan S. Shah Nawaz, foreign secretary of
relations. Pakistan, visits India and holds
discussions with India’s foreign
17–22 January The permanent Indus Commission, secretary on bilateral and other
constituted under the Indus Waters matters of mutual interest.
Treaty in 1960, undertakes its 60th
tour of inspection in Pakistan. At the Islamic Foreign Minister’s
meeting in Fez, Agha Shahi, Pakistan’s
3 February A four-member public sector adviser on foreign affairs, says that
delegation of Pakistan, led by Farooq, the people of Jammu-Kashmir,
managing director, heavy mechanical whose destiny is of continued
complex, Taxila, visits India. concern to the Islamic world, deserve
support for the realization of their
10 February Shariat benches composed of three right to self-determination,
Muslim judges (qazis) are established recognized by the resolutions of the
in the high courts in Pakistan. UN Security Council.

March General Zia, in an interview, says that The Indus Commission holds its
the Kashmir question is the only 40th session in Islamabad.
hindrance in the process of
normalization and that India should Nine hundred and twenty Sikh
honor the UN resolution. pilgrims visit Lahore to attend
ceremonies in connection with the
12 March Pakistan announces its decision to martyrdom of Guru Arjun Dev.
withdraw from CENTO.
Benazir Bhutto, at a press conference
10–19 March Indian journalists Kuldip Nayar and in Karachi, asks why the government
Khushwant Singh visit Pakistan. of Pakistan has not protested to India
against anti-Muslim riots in several
31 March Pakistan Foreign Office, in an official parts of India. She accuses the
statement, mentions that President government of Pakistan of being
Zia has proposed in his reply to silent when Muslims are being
India’s Prime Minister that Pakistan, slaughtered in India.
India, and other states in South Asia
should issue a joint declaration About 500 Sikh pilgrims visit Lahore
renouncing the manufacture or in connection with the anniversary of
acquisition of nuclear weapons. Ranjit Singh’s death.

4 April Bhutto is executed in Rawalpindi’s The 100,000th visa of 1979 is given
central jail and buried near Larkana, by the Indian Ambassador to Syed
his family home. Roshen. The Indian Airlines manager
offers a free return ticket to Syed
Roshen.

200 CHRONOLOGY

August Agha Shahi, in a speech at the UN 15 November General Zia visits Azad Jammu-
Committee for Elimination of Racial Kashmir (POK) and declares that
Discrimination, urges Indian 17 November Pakistan will continue to support the
government to take steps for the 21 November Kashmiri people’s right to self-
preservation of autonomy of 5 December determination and that his
educational institutions for minority government has made India
communities, particularly the 1980 recognize the existence of the
Muslims. 1 January Kashmir dispute.

1–6 September General Zia, at the Nonaligned Over a thousand Sikh pilgrims visit
Conference in Havana, says that Nankana Sahib on the occasion of
Pakistan is determined to seek the Guru Nanak’s birthday. American
resolution of Jammu and Kashmir Sikh Ganga Singh again visits
problem in accordance with the Pakistan as a guest of General Zia.
relevant UN resolutions and the
spirit of Simla Agreement. Prime Minister Charan Singh sends a
message of sympathy on the death of
India’s Foreign Minister S. N. Mishra 165 people in a PLA crash in Saudi
meets Agha Shahi in Havana and Arabia.
later General Zia. Bilateral relations
are reviewed. Maulana Maududi, founder of
Jammat-i-Islami, dies in Lahore.
16–18 September Indo-Pakistan technical trade talks
are held in Islamabad. Pakistan’s The United States embassy in
delegation does not show any Islamabad is ransacked and burned
inclination to have a meaningful by a mob. Two U.S. embassy officials
trade in the private sector after which die in the fire.
the talks are adjourned.
A staff member of the Indian
30 September A group of 76 Hindu followers of embassy, on the way to his residence,
Sant Shadaramji visit Pakistan. is waylaid by Pakistan intelligence
agents and taken into custody, where
1 October A delegation of Sikhs from different he is beaten up and interrogated. A
countries is led by American Sikh, strong protest is made to Pakistani
Ganga Singh Dhillon, who is visiting Foreign Office by charge d’affaires
Pakistan. They are feted by General S. K. Lambah.
Zia.
India’s Ambassador K. S. Bajpai is
1–18 October Agha Shahi makes a reference to called to Pakistan’s Foreign Office
Kashmir in a speech before the UN’s and his attention is drawn to Prime
General Assembly. Later Pakistan’s Minister Charan Singh’s statement
Ambassador to the UN speaks in on December 31, 1979, expressing
response to India’s reply. concern over the U.S. decision to lift
the arms embargo against Pakistan.
Manzur Ilahi, a senior member of
Pakistan’s Civil Service Commission, K. S. Bajpai is reminded of Pakistan’s
visits India and holds discussions long-standing offer to enter into
with members of the UPSC. negotiations with India for a
mutually balanced reduction of
Islamization measures are forces.
announced by President Zia, who
also announces a decision to General Zia, in his inaugural speech
postpone indefinitely the elections at the Islamic Foreign Ministers’
scheduled for November 17.

4–7 February Conference, makes a deliberate and 14 May CHRONOLOGY 201
provocative reference to Kashmir. 21 May
9 March 3 June K. S. Bajpai, on completion of his
14 March India’s foreign secretary R. D. Sathe tenure, leaves Pakistan. K. Natwar
10–14 April visits Pakistan on February 4–7. He 13–17 June Singh, the new ambassador, reaches
meets the president, his adviser on 22 June Islamabad and presents his
18 April foreign affairs, and the finance 25–27 June credentials on May 28.
7 May minister. There are two rounds of 15–17 July
discussions between the two 16 August A Pakistani delegation visits India for
delegations. talks on the import of iron ore from
20 August India.
A letter from India’s prime minister 21 August
is handed over to General Zia. General Zia, in a television speech
says that consequent upon the
The foreign secretary discusses the signing of an agreement between
situation in the region arising from India and the Soviet Union for the
the induction of Soviet military purchase of arms worth 16,000
troops into Afghanistan and tries to million rupees, “We are taking
allay Pakistan’s misgivings about the necessary steps to safeguard our
Indian stand with respect to sovereignty and national defence.”
developments in Afghanistan.
Two Sikh Jathas visit Pakistan to take
The Pakistan Cabinet authorizes part in the Gor Mela.
Pakistan Steel to go ahead with
negotiations with India for the Tribal violence in Tripura, India,
purchase of 300,000 tons of iron claims 1,000 lives.
ore.
Discussions between civil aviation
The Zakat and Ushr Ordinance (No. authorities of the two countries are
XVII of 1980) is promulgated in held in New Delhi.
Pakistan.
Agha Shahi visits India. He meets
Sardar Swaran Singh, special Prime Minister Indira Gandhi twice
emissary of Prime Minister Indira and has two rounds of discussions.
Gandhi, visits Pakistan. He meets Afghanistan and bilateral relations
General Zia and has two sessions are discussed.
with Agha Shahi. The discussions
include the situation in Afghanistan. The government of Pakistan issues a
Singh tries to allay Pakistan’s statement expressing “serious
apprehensions regarding India’s concern” at the widespread incidence
stand on Afghanistan. Pakistan of anti-Muslim violence in
revives the earlier proposal of Moradabad and in other parts of
military balance. India.

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi meets India’s Ambassador K. Natwar Singh
General Zia in Salisbury, Rhodesia protests to General Zia for having
(later Zimbabwe). issued a critical statement and says
that it amounted to interference in
Hashim Qureshi, who along with five the internal affairs of India.
others had hijacked the IAC plane
Ganga to Lahore in 1971 and had K. Natwar Singh visits Karachi and
been sentenced to 14 years of meets Begum Nusrat Bhutto and
imprisonment by the Special Court, Benazir Bhutto. He delivers to
is released by the Supreme Court. Begum Bhutto a letter from Prime
Minister Indira Gandhi in which she
thanks her for the message of

202 CHRONOLOGY

condolence on the death of Sanjay evolve jointly with India a mutually
Gandhi. acceptable solution of the Jammu-
Kashmir dispute.

4 September An official of the Indian embassy in
Islamabad is kidnapped, assaulted,
and robbed, allegedly by Pakistani 1981 K. Natwar Singh delivers a letter
intelligence officers. He is questioned 10–12 January from Indira Gandhi to General Zia.
about the functioning of the
embassy. A protest is lodged with the Pakistan releases 14 crew members
Pakistan foreign secretary by S. K. of Saraswati and five other
Lambah as well as with the Pakistan prisoners.
embassy at Delhi.

The Pakistan government in an N. Krishnan, additional secretary
official note discourages their (UN), Ministry of External Affaires
nationals from visiting India. (MEA), visits Pakistan and has
discussions with Dr. Bhatti,
22–26 September Ram Jethmalani, member of additional secretary (UN) in the
parliament, and Acharya Vedalankar Pakistan Foreign Office, on the draft
of the Friends of Afghanistan declaration for the forthcoming
Organization visit Pakistan. Non-aligned Foreign Minister’s
Conference.

11–13 November Another round of Indo-Pakistan 26 January K. Natwar Singh speaks on Pakistan
technical level trade talks is held in television (for the first time) on
Islamabad. India’s Republic Day.

18 November Pakistani Ambassador Abdus Sattar 27 January Sarod concert is held at the Indian
meets India’s Prime Minister Indira February Embassy in Islamabad on the
1 December Gandhi and gives her a message from occasion of India’s Republic Day.
25 December General Zia. 12 April
13 April Agha Shahi leads a delegation held in
K. Natwar Singh has three meetings New Delhi to the Non-aligned
with General Zia during the month Foreign Ministers’ Conference.
at which bilateral relations are
discussed. A special meeting of the Indo-
Pakistan Indus Water Commission is
A record number of 3,500 Sikh held in Islamabad to discuss
pilgrims visit Nankana Sahib on the arrangements for the inspection of
occasion of the birth anniversary of water works on the Ravi and Sutlej.
Guru Nanak.
Nobel Laureate Professor Abdul
General Zia makes a statement Salaam visits India.
reassuring the people of Pakistan that
there is no threat to Pakistan from The Consul General of India, Mani
India. This statement comes after an Shankar Aiyer in Karachi, walk out of
intense anti-India propaganda in the a meeting organized by the Institute
Pakistani media on the occasion of of Foreign Relations in protest
Soviet President Brezhnev’s visit to against the Institute Chairman’s
India. reference to the Kashmir issue in the
context of racial discrimination in
Agha Shahi, speaking at the banquet South Africa.
given during his visit to Beijing,
refers to Kashmir and says that A 2,000-strong Sikh Jatha, led by
Pakistan has been endeavoring to Sardar Santokh Singh, visits Punja

CHRONOLOGY 203

Sahib. President Zia receives some newspapers.” Lambath gives a protest
members of the delegation. note to Bhatti, additional secretary in
the Pakistan Foreign Office.
8 June Foreign Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao
arrives in Pakistan. He meets General The official spokesperson of the
Zia and holds detailed talks with 15 September government of Pakistan issues a long
Foreign Minister Agha Shahi. statement announcing the formal
29 September acceptance by Pakistan of the
10 June Joint press statement issued in 30 September package proposal for the supply and
Islamabad after discussions between 2 October sale of U.S. arms to Pakistan.
P. V. Narasimha Rao and Agha Shahi.
Results of visit are the diffusion of The concluding portion of the
tensions, clarification on contentious statement is a paragraph suggesting
issues including Afghanistan, Pakistan’s readiness “to enter into
increasing the number of cities in immediate consultations with India
visas, from three to four, and for the purpose of exchanging
Pakistan’s decision to participate in mutual guarantees of non-
trade fairs in India. aggression and non-use of force in
the spirit of the pro-Simla
11 June Narasimha Rao addresses the Agreement.” Even the government
Pakistan Institute of International newspaper, the Pakistan Times,
Affairs, Karachi. reports the principal thrust of this
statement through its headlines:
30 June K. Natwar Singh meets General Zia “Positive Turn in Dialogue with US.”
prior to going to Delhi for It is thus clear that this is the context
consultations. in which Pakistan has made this
suggestion. Copy of the Pakistan
July A group of 400 Sikh pilgrims visits official spokesperson’s statement is
Pakistan on the occasion of death given to India’s Ambassador in
anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Islamabad the same evening.
Singh.
An Indian Airlines Boeing, on a
20 July The Pakistan government announces scheduled flight Delhi-Amritsar-
a grant of loans to the chiefs of the Srinagar, is hijacked by five persons
erstwhile states of Kathiawar and and forced to land at Lahore
Junagadh. Airport.

15 August Ustad Asad Ali Khan, a Rudraveena Agha Shahi, commenting on Indira
player, performs in Karachi. Gandhi’s interview with Le Figaro,
expresses surprise and
18 August Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson disappointment at having chosen to
says that the alleged anti-India question Pakistan’s bona fides about
campaign is baseless and without any the settlement of Afghan issue.
foundation. He is commenting on
Indira Gandhi’s remark in Nairobi Hijackers leave the plane.
expressing concern over the anti-
India campaign mounted by In a speech at the UN General
Pakistan. Assembly, Agha Shahi refers to
Kashmir and says, “the only
1–2 September Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson outstanding dispute pertains to J and
expresses “concern” over what he K [Jammu-Kashmir] which should
describes as “a recent ploy of false be resolved in the spirit of the Simla
and fabricated news items that had Agreement and in the light of
appeared in some Indian relevant UN agreements.”

204 CHRONOLOGY

4 October A group of students from St. with Pakistani journalists. The matter
31 October Stephen’s College, Delhi, visits also comes up for discussion during
November Pakistan as guests of President Zia. Agha Shahi’s call on her.
5 November
Pakistan’s foreign secretary Piracha 12 January An aide-memoire is handed over to
16 November transits through Delhi, en route to Foreign Minister Narasimha Rao by
20 November Kathmandu. Pakistan’s Ambassador Abdus Sattar
22 November in response to the Indian aide-
An official Pakistani delegation to memoire of December 24, 1981,
6 December India’s Trade Fair is led by President’s mentioning eight elements for a no-
Adviser Hamid D. Habib. war pact.
24 December
1982 Pakistan Foreign Office 17 January Karan Singh, one of the Embassy
3–31 January spokesperson, through a handout, chauffeurs, is waylaid by Pakistani
states that the Pakistani proposal for intelligence personnel and beaten. A
a Non-Aggression Pact has been protest note is delivered by S. K.
given to Natwar Singh by Secretary- Lambah to the Pakistan
General Shah Nawaz on September government.
14.
29 January Agha Shahi visits India. Pakistan
A 3,000-strong Sikh Jatha, led by welcomes Indian prime minister’s
Prakash Majitha, visits Pakistan on proposal to establish a joint
the occasion of the birth anniversary commission.
of Guru Nanak.
1 February Joint press statement, issued at the
Pakistan Commerce Secretary end of the visit of Agha Shahi, states
Izharul Haq visits India and holds that officials of the two countries
talks with Indian Commerce will meet in Islamabad before the
secretary. end of February 1982 to continue
their exchange of views on the
Pakistan government confirmed their contents of the proposed
offer of no-war pact in an official agreements.
note communicated by them in
Islamabad. 17–19 February A reference to Kashmir is made by
Agha Hilaly, leader of the Pakistan
Indo-Pakistan Hockey series is held. delegation to the Human Rights
Commission in Geneva Replies are
India’s Embassy sent a note to the given by the leader of the Indian
Pakistan Foreign Office seeking delegation B. R. Bhagat, MP.
permission for Natwar Singh and
S. K. Lambah, along with their wives, 19 February P. V. Narasimha Rao, minister for
to visit Charsadda (in NWFD) on 15 external affairs, makes a statement in
December to have lunch with Abdul the Rajya Sabha on the recent visit to
Wali Khan. Permission is not given. India of the Foreign Minister of
Pakistan.
A seven-point aide-memoire given to
the Pakistan Foreign Office in 22 February Forty-four developing countries
Islamabad by Natwar Singh stating belonging to the Group of 77,
the elements of an agreement on including Pakistan, participate in a
nonaggression and nonuse of force. conference in New Delhi. The
Pakistani delegation is led by Niaz
Indira Gandhi suggests a friendship Naik, Pakistan’s permanent
treaty with Pakistan in her meeting representative to the UN in New
York.

24 February As a result of the statement made by 31 May CHRONOLOGY 205
25 February Agha Hilaly in Geneva, it is conveyed
to the Pakistani Ambassador in New 1 June Pakistan’s finance minister informs
24 March Delhi, that the Foreign secretary level the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)
29 March talks for the no-war pact had to be 26 June that, during 1980–1981, goods worth
1 April postponed for the time being. 2 July US$97,203,000 were exported to
3 April 3 July India while Pakistan’s imports from
P. V. Narasimha Rao makes a 24 July India were worth US$2,207,000.
statement in the Lok Sabha in 31 July
response to a Calling Attention Natwar Singh meets President Zia in
Motion regarding the reported Islamabad and hands over the Indian
statement of the head of the prime minister’s letter to him. In his
Pakistani delegation Agha Hilaly, letter the prime minister reiterates
raising the issue of Kashmir at the his firm desire for friendship with
meeting of the UN Human Rights Pakistan and calls for perseverance
Commission at Geneva and the by both countries in an effort to
reaction of the government. restart the process of negotiations
and as a first step proposes a meeting
A press release is issued by the of the Joint Commission that could
government of Pakistan in Islamabad pave the way for discussions of
regretting the postponement by friendship treaty and no-war pact.
government of India of the visit of
Foreign Secretary Sathe to Islamabad, One thousand Sikh yatris participate
which was to have taken place from in the death anniversary celebrations
March 1 to 4. of Guru Arjun Dev.

P. V. Narasimha Rao makes a Following Natwar Singh’s meeting
statement in the Rajya Sabha, calling with General Zia, secretary-general in
attention to the situation arising out the Pakistan Foreign Office, S. Shah
of the indefinite postponement of Nawaz, hands over to the Indian
the official level talks on the no-war mission in Islamabad a draft of an
pact. “Agreement on Non-aggression,
Renunciation of Force and
Natwar Singh leaves Islamabad for Promotion of Good Neighbourly
New Delhi. Relations.”

In an interview given to Kuldip India’s draft of the proposal for an
Nayar, General Zia says Gilgit, Indo-Pak Joint Commission is
Hunza Skardu of the Northern Areas handed over to the Pakistan CDA in
are not part of the “disputed New Delhi by Foreign Secretary
territory.” M. Rasgotra.

Lambat expressed concern to the Both India and Pakistan issue
Additional secretary, Pakistan statements on the 10th anniversary
Foreign Office, on the appointment of the Simla Agreement.
(for the first time) of three
observers from Northern Areas to President Zia receives a 10-member
the Pakistan Federal Council, the delegation of Sikh yatris.
announcement of which is made by
General Zia a few hours earlier on President Zia sent felicitations and
the same day. best wishes to Zail Singh on his
election as president of India.
Three thousand pilgrims visit
Pakistan to celebrate Baisakhi Mela. A draft protocol on exchange of
information, consular access, and
modalities of rules and repatriation

206 CHRONOLOGY

of prisoners/detainees of one country 1 November Two unofficial and one 3,000-strong
in the other is handed to the Pakistan official Sikh jathas visit Pakistan.
embassy in New Delhi.
Indira Gandhi receives Zia-ul Haq in
K. D. Sharma, the new Indian New Delhi. During their meeting
ambassador, arrives in Islamabad. they authorize their foreign ministers
and foreign secretaries to proceed
4 August An Indian Airlines plane is hijacked with talks leading to the
by a Dal Khalsa activist while on a establishment of the South Asian
11 August regular flight from Delhi to Srinagar Association for Regional
15 August via Amritsar. The plane is refused Cooperation. It is also agreed to
22 August permission to land at Lahore by the consider the Pakistani draft of a
27 August Pakistani government and lands nonaggression pact and the Indian
7 September instead at Amritsar. draft of a treaty of peace, friendship,
and cooperation.
October K. D. Sharma presents his credentials 2 November
to President Zia. India and Pakistan sign a protocol on
the exchange of information and
A draft of a treaty of peace, consular access to nationals of either
friendship, and cooperation is given country imprisoned or detained in
by M. Rasgotra in Islamabad to the other.
Pakistan’s foreign secretary Niaz
Naik. For the first time in many years, a
few Hindu pilgrims visit the Katas
Bharati Shivaji, the Mohini Attam Raj temple in Pakistan.
dancer, is denied permission to
perform at the celebrations A delegation of the Punjab, Haryana,
conducted for Independence Day. and Delhi chambers of commerce,
led by Veerendra Punj, visits
Pakistan and China sign a protocol Pakistan.
on the opening of the Khunjerab
border pass between POK and Professor Jabi, health adviser to the
China’s Sinkiang province. Pakistan president, visits India to
attend the 7th International
Pradesh Congress President Murli Conference on E and T Surgeons
Deora visits Pakistan. held in Surat.

Sheikh Ishart Ali, President Zia’s December Pakistan Industries Minister Soomro
adviser on business coordination and visits Delhi to attend the closing
internal trade, visits India. ceremony of Asiad.

Tripartite coordination meeting on 22–24 December Niaz Naik, Pakistan’s foreign
the implementation of Lahore– secretary, visits Delhi. There are
Amritsar coaxial cable link as part of discussions on a no-war pact and
the Asian Telecommunication Union friendship treaty proposals.
is held in Lahore. Differences continue on basic
aspects.
A group of Sikh pilgrims, mostly
women, visits Pakistan. Draft of the Joint Commission
Agreement is initialed.
J. R. D. Tata commemorates 50 years
of civil aviation in the subcontinent 1983 Foreign Secretary Natwar Singh visits
by piloting a Leopard Moth from 17 January Pakistan for consultations prior to
Bombay to Karachi and back.

CHRONOLOGY 207

the 7th Non-aligned Summit in New August Indira Gandhi’s statement to the
Delhi. Indian Congress Parliamentary
25 January Board and her statement in the
18 February The Pakistan government establishes parliament on happenings in
10 March an ombudsman’s office, the Wafaqi Pakistan are construed by the
April Mohtasib. Pakistan government as interference
30 May in their internal affairs.
4 June A trade and industry delegation of
FICCI visits Pakistan. Professor Syed Hameed, vice
July chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru
Joint Commission Agreement is University (JNU), visits Pakistan.
signed by the two foreign secretaries
in the presence of Indira Gandhi and 26 August India’s prime minister sends a letter
General Zia during the Seventh to General Zia expressing concern
Conference of Heads of State and over the detention of Khan Abdul
Government of Non-aligned Ghaffar Khan.
countries held in New Delhi.
9–17 September Six relatives of Indian defense
A 35-member Pakistani delegation of personnel who are missing since the
businesspeople and industrialists 1971 war visit Multan jail to find out
attend a seminar organized by the whether any of their relatives are
Federation of Indian Export there.
Organisation in New Delhi.
11 October Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson
A 3,000-strong Sikh Jatha visits describes as totally false the allegation
Pakistan. that Pakistan is providing arms
assistance to militants in Punjab.
An advance party of seven Indian
officials, led by Natwar Singh, goes to 13 October Dr. Subramaniam Swamy, member
Islamabad to hold an informal of parliament and leader of India’s
preparatory meeting. Janata Party, pays a four-day visit to
Pakistan.
Foreign Minister Narasimha Rao
visits Pakistan in connection with the The government of Pakistan decides
first meeting of the Indo-Pak Joint to reduce postal rates on all surface
Commission. letters in pursuance of the decisions
taken at the Indo-Pakistan Joint
Its report is signed by the two foreign Ministerial meeting.
ministers in Islamabad.
25 October Additional Secretary Sattar summons
The ministers reiterate the Indian Ambassador K. D. Sharma
commitments of their governments and protests against the alleged anti-
to hold further discussions, at an Pakistan references made during the
early date, on Pakistan’s proposal for Vishwa Sindhi Sammelan in New
an agreement on nonaggression and Delhi.
nonuse of force and on India’s
proposal for a treaty of peace, 5 November Pakistan foreign minister Sahabzada
friendship, and cooperation. Yaqub Khan makes strongly critical
references to India in Majlis-e-
An Indian delegation visits Pakistan Shoora, Pakistan’s parliament.
to hold discussions on the avoidance
of double taxation between the two Natwar Singh calls Pakistan’s
countries in the field of aircraft Ambassador Piracha to protest
profits. against the baseless allegation that

208 CHRONOLOGY

1984 India opposes the anti-government 30 March The Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan
17 January Movement for the Restoration of 8 April Mohammad Haleem and Aslam
21 January Democracy in Pakistan. 11 April Riaz Hussain, Judge, Pakistan
19 April Supreme Court, pay a visit to New
February A group of Hindu yatris visit the 28 April Delhi for the Third International
12 February Katas Raj temple in Pakistan, and 19–23 May Conference of Appellate Judges at
another group of Sikh yatris visits the invitation of the chief justice of
1–4 March Sikh shrines in Pakistan. India.

Agreed minutes of meetings of Sub- A statement is made by P. V.
Commission I (economic matters Narasimha Rao in the Lok Sabha on
including industry, agriculture, a Calling Attention Notice regarding
communication, health, scientific, the situation arising out of the
and technological cooperation) and reported nuclear collaboration
Sub-Commission II (trade) are between Pakistan and China and the
issued from Islamabad. reaction of his government.

Agreed minutes of Sub-Commission A 3,000-strong jatha of Sikh yatris,
III (information, education including led by Sardar Natha Singh, goes on a
social sciences, culture, and sports) 10-day visit to Pakistan for Baisakhi
and Sub-Commission IV (travel, Festival at Punja Sahib.
tourism, and consular matters) are
signed in New Delhi. A three-member delegation, led by
the Commissioner for Indus Waters
A group of 500 Sikh yatris from C. S. Hukmani, pays a five-day visit
India visits Pakistan. to Pakistan to inspect various dams
on the Indus River.
The decision to hang Maqbool Butt,
a leader of the so-called Kashmir A five-member railway delegation,
Liberation Front, leads to protests by led by P. S. Chaudhury, pays a visit to
POK leaders, Kashmiri students, Pakistan to discuss with Pakistan
lawyers, and other groups. Railway authorities the outstanding
liabilities in the field of railways and
A three-member Indian delegation, arrangements for simplifying rail
consisting of Haji Sulaiman, member travel between the two countries.
of parliament, G. G. Banatwala,
member of parliament, and Iqbal The Union Agriculture Minister Rao
Ahmed, secretary, Delhi Pradesh Birendra Singh visits Pakistan with
Muslim League, goes on an 11-day senior officials of the ministry of
visit to Pakistan. During their stay agriculture to attend the 17th Food
they call on President Zia, Foreign and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Minister Sahabzada Yaqub Khan, and Regional Conference in Islamabad.
others.
M. Rasgotra leads a seven-member
India’s Foreign Secretary delegation to Islamabad. During the
M. Rasgotra and his Pakistan visit, there are discussions on a
equivalent, Niaz Naik, meet in Delhi common text of the noncore articles
and Udaipur. The latter discloses of a no-war pact and Friendship
that the former will visit Islamabad Treaty and the preamble is evolved
from May 12 to resume discussions on an ad-referendum basis. However,
on Pakistan’s offer of a no-war pact there is no agreement on the two
and India’s proposal for a friendship core articles in the Indian draft
treaty. dealing with bilateralism and the
nongrant of bases.

26 May (a) Protocol on Group Tourism 7 June CHRONOLOGY 209
5–6 June signed May 19–23. 19 June
the temple, the Hamandir Sahib and
(b) Exchange of letters between 26–27 June the Akal Takht. Ultimately, however
foreign secretaries of the two troops are unable to avoid causing
countries regarding amendments to considerable damage in capturing
the visa agreement of 1974. Akal Takht, which has been
reinforced as the stronghold of the
A 1,000-strong Sikh jatha, led by militants.
Guder Singh, exmember of the
legislative assembly, goes to Lahore. In the basement of the Akal Takht,
the bodies are found of S. J.
Throughout the first half of 1984 the Bhindranwale, Amirk Singh, and
number of apparently indiscriminate Major General Shubegh Singh, a
intercommunal killings in the former guerrilla warfare expert in the
Punjaba increases; so, too, do the Indian army who had been dismissed
killings within the Sikhs’ community, for corruption in the mid 1970s.
as prominent moderate Sikhs come
under attack from militants. Public reactions to the assault on the
Golden Temple are widespread and,
By the beginning of June over 400 in some cases, violent, involving
people have been killed and nearly civilian disturbances and desertions
2,000 injured since the imposition of by Sikhs from army units.
India’s presidential rule in October
1983. The demands of the Sikh At an Iftar party in Islamabad,
agitators include: President Zia says, “India’s allegations
• A greater degree of political and accusing Pakistan of involvement in
Sikh affairs in East Punjab is totally
religious autonomy for Punjab. wrong, without foundation and
• The incorporation into the state highly irresponsible. . . .” He added
that, even when Muslims are victims
of Chandigarh (a union territory in India, he kept quiet, though his
then serving as the state capital heart is bleeding for them because it
of both Punjab and Haryna). is India’s “internal affair.”
• A greater share of river waters.
• The removal of controversial Pakistan Labor Minister Ghulam
wording in subclause 2(b) of Dastagir Khan, at a reception in
article 25 of the Indian London, says, “Those Pakistanis
constitution in which a reference living abroad, who had sent a
to Hindus is “construed as telegram to the Indian PM Indira
including a reference to persons Gandhi in which they had requested
professing the Sikh, Jaina or her to interfere in the internal affairs
Buddhist religion,” this being of Pakistan, should now learn a
taken as classifying Sikhs as a lesson from what Gandhi is doing in
sect of Hinduism. India. Gandhi has massacred
thousands of Sikhs in Punjab and
During the night of June 5–6, the thousands of Muslims in
Indian army, in Operation Bluestar, Maharashtra.”
begins an assault on the Golden
Temple in Amritsar. Similar actions Pakistan Defence Minister Mir Ali
are launched simultaneously against Ahmed Talpur says, “What has
37 other Sikh shrines throughout happened now in the Indian Punjab
Punjab. The army suffers heavy is more than what happened in the
casualties in the assault as a Jallianwala Bagh massacre . . . by
consequence of the instruction not to praying in the Golden Temple
damage the two most sacred parts of Gandhi cannot wash away the blood

210 CHRONOLOGY

stains of these killings on her 24 August Indian accusations that Pakistan is
clothes . . . It is against civilized involved in the Sikh’s agitation.
behaviour to destroy the shrine to
flush out extremists.” An Indian Airlines Boeing 737, on a
flight from Delhi to Srinagar via
5 July An Indian Airlines Airbus A-300 with Chandigarh and Jammu, is hijacked
about 255 passengers on board is to Lahore by seven Sikh hijackers.
hijacked by nine Sikh extremists
owing allegiance to Bhindranwale. UNICEF Executive Director James
Grant, through a Verbal Note to the
7–13 July Information and Broadcasting Pakistan Foreign Office, “deeply
Minister H. K. L. Bhagat pays an regretted” a map in the UNICEF
official visit to Pakistan. General Zia 1984 Annual Report that did not
hosts a private dinner for him. show the correct status of Jammu-
Kashmir as a disputed territory.
16 July Pakistan’s foreign secretary visits
India for talks with the Indian Zia remarks in a speech to the
foreign secretary on Pakistan’s 30 August Hyderabad Institute of International
proposal for a no-war pact and the Affairs that, if Pakistan could refrain
Indian proposal for a treaty of peace, October from speaking on behalf of 100
friendship, and cooperation, 9 October million Muslims in India, why
scheduled for July 18 and to attend should it speak for 10 million Sikhs?
the meeting of the Joint
Commission of India, scheduled for A group of 74 Hindu pilgrims pays a
early August. Both are postponed at visit to Hayat Pitafi temple about 100
the suggestion of India, because of kilometers (60 miles) from Sukkur.
Pakistan’s assistance to Sikh
extremists. A 16-member Indian cricket team
(led by Sunil Gavaskar) pays a visit to
26 July Pakistan’s Defence Minister Talpur, in Pakistan.
an interview to Hurmat Weekly, says,
“If for winning the elections 31 October Gandhi is assassinated in New Delhi
genocide is going on 2 August in on October 31 by two Sikh members
India, this is not something new. It is of her bodyguard. Her younger son,
part of the game of the so-called Rajiv (aged 40), is sworn in as prime
democracy. But if Indira Gandhi tries minister later that day. As the news of
an aggression against Pakistan in her killing spreads, violence erupts in
order to boost her popularity then major cities.
we are also not sleeping.”
India’s armed forces are put on full
23–25 August A constitutional amendment alert, and security forces are ordered
permitting the extension of to shoot rioters on sight. After a week
president’s rule in Punjab for periods the official death toll from anti-Sikh
beyond one year is passed by the riots in the capital alone is 500.
Indian parliament. (President’s rule is
extended for a further six months on On receiving the news of Prime
October 4.) Minister Indira Gandhi’s death,
President Zia visits the Indian
The hijacking by Sikh militants of 3 November Mission and conveys his condolences
two Indian airlines, one in July and to the ambassador.
the other in August, ends peacefully.
Allegations, however, that Pakistan Sixteen-hundred-strong Sikh jatha,
supplied the hijackers with a gun led by former premier Singh Laipura
during the second incident intensify visits Pakistan to celebrate the birth

4 November anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev at 9 March CHRONOLOGY 211
25 December Nankana Sahib. It also visits other 13 March
Sikh shrines in Pakistan. 2 April congratulatory messages to President
1985 4–6 April Zia on his assumption of office as
1 January General Zia attends the funeral of president. The prime minister
26 January Indira Gandhi. President Zia meets 8 April separately sends a message to
1 February India’s new Prime Minister Rajiv 14 April Pakistan Prime Minister Mohammed
Gandhi in New Delhi. 20 April Khan Junejo on his assumption of
9 February 30 April office.
Jasbir Singh, a nephew of 17–25 May
11 February Bhindranwale, makes an Trial of the five hijackers of the
25 February unsuccessful attempt to enter Indian aircraft hijacked to Lahore in
3 March Pakistan after he is deported from 1981 commences in Lahore.
the UK and the UAE.
Rajiv Gandhi and General Zia meet
General Zia sends a congratulatory in Moscow for K. Chernenko’s
message to Rajiv Gandhi on his funeral. They discuss Indo-Pakistan
overwhelming victory in India’s relations.
eighth general elections since
independence. The trial of the nine Sikh hijackers,
who commandeered an Indian
Non-Muslim banking is abolished in airliner to Lahore on July 5, 1984,
Pakistan. gets underway in the Special Court,
Punjab (Pakistan).
Pakistan’s President Zia attends the
Republic Day reception hosted in Foreign Secretary Romesh Bhandari
Islamabad by India’s Ambassador K. pays a three-day visit to Pakistan as
D. Sharma. part of his visit to neighboring
countries and especially to try for the
A four-member delegation of resumption of dialogue with
Agricultural Price Commission Pakistan for the normalization of
(APC) of Pakistan pays a 10-day relations.
official visit to India for technical
discussions. A yatris of 692 Sikhs, headed by
Sardar Gurcharan Singh Roshan,
K. D. Sharma is invited to address arrives in Pakistan on the occasion of
the Pakistan National Defence the Baisakhi festival.
College, Rawalpindi. He speaks on
“Development of Indo-Pak A delegation of women Sikh yatris
Relations During the Past Decade, calls on Begum Zia.
1974–84.”
The trial of five Indian nationals,
The foreign secretaries of India and accused of hijacking of Indian
Pakistan meet at Mali. airlines plane to Pakistan in 1981,
resumes before the Special Court in
General elections are held for the Lahore.
Pakistan National Assembly.
A jatha, consisting of 75 Hindus led
Muhammad Khan Junejo is by Sat Pai Mittai, member of
appointed prime minister. parliament, and the Rajya Sabha,
visits the Katas Raj temple in
President Zail Singh and Prime Pakistan.
Minister Rajiv Gandhi send
A Sikh jatha, comprising 340
pilgrims led by Surinder Singh
Joshila, an Akali leader, pays a visit to

212 CHRONOLOGY

Pakistan to pay homage to the late 10 September S. K. Singh presents his credentials to
Guru Arjun Dev. President Zia in Rawalpindi.

2 June The Pakistan army releases four 22 September The Special Court at Lahore resumed
8 June Indian engineers of J and K Power its proceedings trying the nine
12 June Development Board who were Indians who had hijacked an Indian
arrested on May 29 while Airlines aircraft in July 1984.
26 June conducting a survey in the frontier
2–4 July area. 23 September A high-capacity coaxial cable system
is inaugurated in Islamabad.
Foreign minister of Pakistan
Sahabzada Yaqub Khan says in 23 October Rajiv Gandhi and Zia meet in New
Islamabad that Pakistan has York for the 40th session of UNGA
“categorically rejected” the Indian and discuss Indo-Pakistan relations.
claim to the Siachen glacier that
forms part of the northern area of A group of 120 Hindu yatris visits
Pakistan.” the holy temple of Shabani Durbar at
Mirpur Methleo (Sindh).
Zain Noorani, Pakistan’s minister of
state for foreign affairs, reportedly 26 October Sahabzada Yaqub Khan states in the
states that Rajiv Gandhi has been Senate that, in the event of any attack
repeating baseless statements about on Kahuta nuclear installation,
Pakistan’s “peaceful” nuclear Pakistan will have no option but to
program. retaliate with all its might.

Zain Noorani also alleges that 2 November The Special Court at Lahore
Muslims in India are making completes the hearing of the case
statements in the National Assembly against five Indian Sikhs who
on the Ahmedabad riots. He hijacked an Indian Boeing 737 to
expresses the hope that the Indian Lahore on September 29, 1981 and
government will take steps to punish reserves its judgement.
those guilty of inhuman and
criminal violence against the 5 November S. K. Singh calls on Khan Abdul
minority community. Ghaffar Khan and extends to him an
invitation from Rajiv Gandhi to
A 434-strong Sikh jatha, headed by attend the centenary celebrations of
Sardar Kulwani Singh Dukhtya, a the Congress.
senior functionary of Akali Dal (Tara
Singh group), goes to Pakistan. 12 November At a press conference, President Zia
says that the exigencies of time are
A 14-member delegation, headed by such that the Khokrapara route will
Sahabzada Yaqub Khan, attends the not be reopened.
second round of the Indo-Pak Joint
Ministerial Commission meeting in 14–16 November Pakistan Minister of Finance,
Delhi. Planning and Coordination Dr.
Mahbubul Haq, Ejaz Naik,
Agreed-on Minutes of Joint secretary-general (economic affairs),
Commission, including meetings of Mukhtar Masood, commerce
four subcommissions, are signed. secretary, and Dr. M. S. Jilani,
Additional secretary (planning),
Agreement on Agricultural visit India.
Cooperation is signed at New Delhi,
between Buta Singh and Sahabzada 18 November Rajiv Gandhi and General Zia meet
Yaqub Khan. in Oman on the occasion of its 10th

CHRONOLOGY 213

anniversary celebrations and discuss 30 January Dr. N. S. Randhawa, secretary,
Indo-Pakistan relations. department of agricultural research
4–5 February and education, pays an official visit
26 November Two Indian diplomats are assaulted to Pakistan as the head of a five-
by Sikh pilgrims at Gurdwara Dera 6 February member delegation.
Sahib, Lahore. 18 March
2–3 April Meeting of Sub-Commission III and
3 December An 18-member delegation of women 8 April Sub-Commission IV is held at
entrepreneurs, led by Bonti Barooah, 9 April Islamabad.
goes on a goodwill visit to Pakistan. 17 April
They call on General Zia. 18 April Correspondence (two letters) is
19 May exchanged between the governments
7 December Rajiv Gandhi and Zia meet in Dhaka of India and Pakistan regarding
for the SAARC Summit and discuss 25 May further amendments in the India-
Indo-Pakistan relations. 30 May Pakistan visa agreement 1974.

17 December Rajiv Gandhi has discussions with Agreement is reached on the
General Zia in Delhi. There is a brief avoidance of double taxation of
discussion on the clause regarding income derived from International
bases of the proposed friendship Air Transport.
treaty, and it is decided that the two
foreign secretaries will discuss this Rajiv Gandhi and Junejo meet in
when they meet in Islamabad in mid Stockholm for Olaf Palme’s funeral
January. and discuss Indo-Pakistan relations.

30 December India’s martial law is lifted. SAARC Ministerial meeting on
international economic issues is held
1986 Indian Finance Minister V. P. Singh, in Islamabad. A 14-point declaration
8 January accompanied by finance and is adopted.
commerce secretaries among others,
pays a two-day visit to Pakistan. A 237-member Sikh jatha visits
Pakistan.
10–12 January Talks are held in Rawalpindi between
Indian Defence Secretary S. K. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit calls on
Bhatnagar and Pakistan Defence President Begum Zia in Islamabad.
Secretary Syed Ijlal Haider Zaidi to
discuss matters regarding the Siachen Sahabzada Yaqub Khan calls on Rajiv
glacier. Gandhi.

16 January Romesh Bhandari pays a five-day Niaz A. Naik and Foreign Secretary
visit to Pakistan and has talks on Venkateswaran meet in New Delhi.
important bilateral issues.
A six-member delegation, led by
Pakistan Muslim League Council Jaffeer Wafa, Pakistan additional
passes a resolution stating that secretary (communications), visits
relations between India and Pakistan India to discuss modalities for
“can be fruitfully normalised only reopening Khokrapar-Munnabao
after the Kashmir issue is settled on route.
the basis of UN Resolutions.”
India’s Ambassador presents 3,000
18 January Prime Minister Muhammed Khan books to President Zia.
Junejo is elected chair of the Pakistan
Muslim League. Pakistan Minister of State for Foreign
Affairs Zain Noorani meets Indian

214 CHRONOLOGY

Minister of State K. R. Narayanan in 14 August The Movement for the Restoration of
New York. Democracy (MRD) launches a
10–12 June campaign against the government,
The second round of talks on demanding fresh general elections.
19 June Siachen glacier between S. K.
21 June Bhatnagar and Syed Ijlal Haider 15 August The foreign secretaries of India and
27 June Zaidi take place in Delhi. It is agreed Pakistan, A. P. Venkateswaran and
28 June to continue the dialogue at a Abdus Sattar, exchange invitations
1–4 July mutually convenient date. for bilateral visits at SAARC Council
Ministers’ meeting in Dhaka.
23 July Eight hundred and twelve Sikh
pilgrims visit Pakistan. 4–6 October A Pakistan delegation, headed by
Mian Mohammad Javed, visits New
Six Canadian Sikhs attack four Delhi and decides to introduce
members of the Indian Embassy International Subscribers Dialling
liaison team at Gurdwar Dera Sahib, (ISD) to enable people to take on
Lahore. ISD for 55 cities in Pakistan and
about 200 cities in India.
A delegation of the Board of Control
for Cricket in India, led by N. K. P. 14 October An Indo-Pakistan seminar on long-
Salve, member of parliament, visits term planning is held at Islamabad
Pakistan. under the aegis of the Indo-Pakistan
Joint Commission. It is inaugurated
A Sikh jatha of 500 pilgrims visits by Dr. Mahbubul Haq, federal
Pakistan. minister for planning and
development. The six-member
Tanvir Ahmed, first secretary, Indian delegation is led by Dr. Y. K.
Pakistan embassy in New Delhi, is Alagh, chairman of Bureau of
attacked by an unidentified group of Industrial Costs and Prices
persons.
16 November Rajiv Gandhi and Mohammed Khan
A delegation of agricultural experts Junejo meet during the SAARC
from Pakistan, headed by Amir summit at Bangalore and decide that
Mohammad, Chairman of PARC, the Interior Secretaries of the two
pays an eight-day visit to India. countries should meet in Lahore to
discuss problems of illicit border
A five-member Pakistani delegation crossing, drug trafficking, smuggling,
of agricultural scientists, led by Dr. terrorism, and other issues.
Amir Mohammad, chairman,
Pakistan Agricultural Research 19–21 December A six-member delegation, led by
Council, visits India (Hyderabad and C. G. Somaya, secretary home
New Delhi) to finalize details of an ministry, visits Islamabad and Lahore
agreement on technical collaboration for talks with a Pakistan delegation
in various fields between the two led by S. K. Mahmud, secretary
countries. An annual work plan on (interior).
agricultural cooperation is signed at
New Delhi. The delegation also calls 22 December A new federal cabinet is sworn into
on Dr. G. S. Dhillon, agriculture office by President Zia with
minister. Mohammad Khan Junejo continuing
as prime minister.
The National People’s Party (NPP) is
formed under the chairmanship of 26–28 December At a meeting of foreign secretaries in
Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi. Islamabad, A. P. Venkateswaran talks
with Abdus Sattar.

1987 Four Indian trawlers with 60 crew 7 March CHRONOLOGY 215
6 January members are seized by the Pakistan 11 March
Maritime Security Agency (MS). 27 March Pakistan’s Maritime Security Agency,
Pakistan Defence Ministry officials 28 March Karachi, claims to have seized 11
claim that India seized 16 trawlers in 7 April Indian fishing boats with 96
1986 and captured 290 Pakistani 4 May fishermen on board for poaching in
sailors on suspicion of being spies. the territorial waters of Pakistan.
21–26 May
23 January India’s Army is placed on alert in 27 May Eleven Indian trawlers are captured
Punjab and Rajasthan following by Pakistani authorities. Reportedly,
failure of the Pakistan Army to 17–19 June seven Pakistani fishing vessels are
withdraw from their forward detained by Indian authorities.
positions after their winter exercises.
An India-Pakistan Friendship Society
27 January Pakistan’s Prime Minister Junejo has is set up in New Delhi to promote
a telephone conversation with Rajiv trust, goodwill, and friendship.
Gandhi on the border situation.
A three-member delegation of Urban
30 January– A five-member Pakistan delegation, Development Organisations in
4 February led by Foreign Secretary Abdus Sattar Pakistan visits India in the last week
and including three senior defense of March.
officers, visits India for the first
round of talks to deescalate the The withdrawal of troops from the
border situation. exercise area following Operation
Brasstacks is completed, and both
11–19 February Troops are withdrawn from the Ravi- parties express satisfaction over the
Chenab sector. pace of withdrawal.

21–23 February President Zia visits India at the According to Ansar Burney, 38,362
invitation of the Board of Control Pakistani nationals who went to
for Cricket in India. He is India during 1983–1986 are missing;
accompanied by a delegation of 68 they have not returned or conveyed
members. The visit is projected in any information about their well-
Pakistan as a major diplomatic being.
victory in Pakistan’s current efforts to
improve relations with India. The Indo-Pakistan Indus Water
Commission meets in Islamabad.
27 February The second round of deescalation The two sides agree to share flood
talks takes place in Islamabad. forecasting data recorded at Talal
Madhopur and Jammu.
2 March The Pakistan government and press
allege that two Pakistani trawlers An explosive device is thrown at
were reportedly seized by India and India’s Consul General Office,
25 sailors were arrested in the last Karachi. An asbestos shed is
week of February. damaged, but there are no injuries
and no arrests by Pakistani
In an interview with Kuldip Nayar, authorities.
published in about five local
newspapers, Pakistan’s leading Pakistan foreign minister visits New
scientist Dr. A. Q. Khan declares the Delhi to attend the third session of
CIA is right in its assessment that the Council of Ministers of SAARC
Pakistan possesses nuclear capability. and call on Rajiv Gandhi.

Pakistan minister for education,
sports, and tourism says in the

216 CHRONOLOGY

National Assembly that Pakistan will for losing 1,500 square kilometers
review the question of its (579 square miles) of Pakistan
participation in sports with India in territory.
view of the behavior of spectators
against the Pakistan cricket team at Pakistan FM meets Indian minister
Ahmedabad in March. of state for foreign affairs at New
York for bilateral talks on trade and
24–30 June Pakistan minister of state for foreign the regional situation.
affairs makes statements in the
National Assembly about the A telecom link is established between
communal situation in India. the two countries.

4 July Khan Abdul Ghaffa Khan is The first round of official level talks
hospitalized. on Tulbul Navigation Project is held
at Islamabad.

8 July According to the BBC, an exchange
of fire between Indian and Pakistani
border guards at Wagah-Attari 4 November Rajiv Gandhi meets Junejo at
border is reported to have occurred Kathmandu during the SAARC
July 10–14. summit. It is decided to resume
foreign secretary–level talks for
A four-member Indian bilateral discussions between the two
telecommunication delegation visits countries. Defense secretaries are also
Islamabad for talks on the expected to meet soon to try to find
improvement of telecommunication a solution to Siachen issue.
links between India and Pakistan.
12–13 November The second round of official level
talks takes place in New Delhi.

12 August The Indo-Pakistan Sub-Commission
on Economic Relations and trade
meets in New Delhi to sort out 30 November Local bodies elections are held in the
differences on expansion of trade. four provinces of Pakistan.

8–9 December A four-member delegation, led by
the Pakistan commerce secretary,
15 August President Zia, accompanied by his visits India for talks on trade and
foreign minister and foreign economic cooperation.
secretary, attends a reception given
by the Indian Ambassador in 18 December Benazir Bhutto is married to Asif Ali
Islamabad. Zardari in Karachi.

16 August Badshah Khan returns to Pakistan.
India’s decision to confer Bharat
Ratna Award on him arouses sharp 1988 Rajiv Gandhi visits Peshawar for 90
controversy in Pakistan. 20 January minutes on the demise of Khan
Abdul Ghaffar Khan. Accompanying
8–9 September Joint-staff level talks take place the prime minister are Sonia Gandhi;
between the two countries at Lahore P. V. Narasimha Rao, minister for
on evolving new border ground human resource development; Buta
rules. Singh, home minister; Mohsina
Kidwai, minister for urban
30 September Clashes in Siachen area are reported. development; Saroj Khaparde,
minister of state for health; P.
1–5 October Siachen issue hits the headlines: an Chidambaram, minister of state for
adjournment motion is disallowed internal security; Khurshid Alam
in the National Assembly; Benazir Khan, former minister of state; and
calls for the removal of General Zia Mohammad Yunus.

26 January President Zia attends the Republic Late March CHRONOLOGY 217
Day reception hosted by the Indian 10 April
Ambassador. He is accompanied by 24–25 April The fourth round of official level
the Minister of State for Foreign 3 May talks is held at New Delhi.
Affairs Zain Noorani and Foreign 14–16 May
Secretary Abdus Sattar. The Pakistan delegation is led by the
24–27 May secretary of the ministry of water
10 February A five-member Indian delegation and power, Abdul Rahim Mahsud,
arrives in Islamabad and holds talks and the Indian delegation by his
on the release of fishermen. The counterpart, Naresh Chandra.
Indian delegation is led by Indira
Misra, member of the Joint Staff and An explosion in the ammunition
minister of home affairs, while the depot in Ojheri army camp near
Pakistan delegation is led by Anis Rawalpindi and Islamabad kills 100
Ahmad, JS, minister of defense. people, injuring another 1000.

Both countries agree to release all the The second meeting of the Indo-
detained fishermen and vessels as a Pakistan Committee to combat drug
gesture of goodwill and trafficking and smuggling takes
understanding between the two place in Islamabad. The Indian
countries. delegation is led by B. V. Kumar,
director general, narcotics control
23–24 February The third round of bilateral talks on bureau.
Tulbul Navigation Project is held at
Islamabad. Pakistan delegation is led Foreign Secretary K. P. S. Menon
by Abdul Mahsud, secretary for water visits Islamabad as a special envoy of
and power, and the Indian delegation Rajiv Gandhi for talks on
by Naresh Chandra, secretary in the Afghanistan.
ministry of water resources.
Pakistan Interior Secretary S. K.
25 February Rajiv Gandhi speaks to General Zia Mahmud visits India for talks with
on the telephone and invites him to Home Secretary C. G. Somaya. The
visit Delhi to discuss the Afghanistan two sides agree that the Indo-
issue. Pakistan Committee on Border
Ground Rules should meet within
27 February President Zia requests Rajiv Gandhi the next three months to finalize
to visit Islamabad or send an envoy. Border Ground Rules on the joint
The foreign secretaries of India and patroling of the border by the BSF
Pakistan speak by telephone, and an and Pakistan Rangers to arrange
understanding is reached that the regular meetings at Commander
foreign secretary will visit level Border Security Force (BSF)
Islamabad on March 1 as prime between the two forces to check
minister’s special envoy. However, smuggling, drug trafficking, and
this is changed to February 29, and illegal border crossings and to curb
later Pakistan reneged on the the activities of terrorists.
agreement.
The fifth round of talks on the
15 March A 19-member delegation (Sir Syed Tulbul Navigation Project take place
Society), led by North West Frontier in Islamabad. The Indian delegation
Province (NWFP) Governor Fida is led by Naresh Chandra.
Mohammad Khan, commences a
weeklong visit to India starting A 15-member delegation of the
March 15. Fida Khan calls on Rajiv Indian Cotton Mills Federation, led
Gandhi during his visit. by its Chairman S. K. Modi, visits
Karachi. The delegation calls on the

218 CHRONOLOGY

29 May Sindh governor and visits a textile President Zia. An Indian delegation
31 May mill in the province. participates in the conference. The
1–2 June Pakistan minister for science and
President Zia dismisses the Junejo technology publicly proposes that
3–6 June government, dissolves the National regional headquarters be established
Assembly and orders fresh elections in Pakistan.
27 June within 90 days.
5 July President Zia plays host to two young
3 July President Zia dissolves all provincial students of St. Stephen’s College–
assemblies. Jitendra Narain and Jaideep Saikia.

Abdul Sattar visits Delhi and calls on 17 August President Zia is killed in a plane
Rajiv Gandhi and other ministers. crash near Bahawalpur in Punjab,
The two delegations hold talks along with other senior officers of
covering a wide range of bilateral the Pakistan Army, including
issues. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
General Akhtar Abdur Rahman and
The Indian spokesperson says that Arnold Raphael, U.S. ambassador to
Pakistan’s abetting of terrorism in Pakistan. Ghulam Ishaq Khan,
Punjab is bound to affect the process chairman of the Senate, is sworn in
of normalization of relations as acting president. General Mirza
between the two countries. Aslam Beg is appointed chief of the
Army staff.
A three-day Indo-Pakistan
convention on “Partners in India declares a three-day mourning
Prosperity Through Tourism” is for the death of President Zia.
held at Lahore. It is jointly
organized by Secretary (Tourism) S. 20 August President R. Venkataraman attends
K. Mishra from Indian side and General Zia’s funeral accompanied by
Aslam Rahim, secretary for tourism External Affairs Minister P. V.
and culture from Pakistan. Both Narasimha Rao, Minister for
sides indicate their official Environment Z. R. Ansar, Minister of
willingness to consider State for External Affairs K. Natwar
recommendations to expand Singh, 11 members of parliament
tourism between the two countries. belonging to different political
parties, the foreign secretary, and
Secretary (Posts) P. S. Raghavachari other senior officers.
leads a two-member delegation on
July 1 to Pakistan for talks with 22–24 September The fourth round of defense
Pakistan postal authorities. Both secretary–level talks on Siachen take
sides discuss various operational place in Delhi. Pakistan Defence
details, including the settlement of Secretary Syed Ijlal Haider Zaldi and
outstanding postal and postal life Indian Defence Secretary T. N.
insurance dues, and closer operation Seshan lead their respective
to improve postal services between delegations. Zaidi calls on Rajiv
the two countries. Gandhi and Defence Minister K. C.
Pant.
Sikh yatris visit Pakistan during the
month of observance of Maharaja 2–3 October Minister of Commerce Dinesh Singh
Ranjit Singh’s birth anniversary and leads a five-member delegation that
the martyrdom of Guru Arjun Dev. includes Cabinet Secretary B. G.
Deshmukh and Commerce Secretary
A conference on the Indian Ocean, A. N. Verma for an informal GATT
held in Islamabad, is inaugurated by Ministerial meeting held in

CHRONOLOGY 219

Islamabad. Dinesh Singh calls on confidence-building measures and
Pakistan President Ghulam Ishaq agreed to hold more frequent
Khan and holds talks with Minister meetings.
for Finance and Commerce R.
Mahbubul Haq. 1989
22 January
A 16-member under-19 Indian
17 November Elections are held for the National cricket team arrives in Pakistan for a
Assembly. The Pakistan People’s six-week tour of Pakistan.
Party wins 92 out of the 207 seats
contested. 14 February Ambassador S. K. Singh leaves
Islamabad for New Delhi to take over
30 November Brigadier Z. I. Abbasi, military as foreign secretary.
attaché, and Mohammad Ashraf
Khatib, staff member in Pakistan 17–21 February A 13-member delegation of cotton
mission in New Delhi, are expelled traders from the East Cotton
after being declared persona non Association visits Pakistan to
grata. In a retaliatory move, B. D. explore the possibility of buying
Sharma, India’s consul in Karachi, cotton from Pakistan. The
and a staff member of India’s High delegation visits Karachi, Multan,
Commission (HCI), Islamabad, are and Islamabad.
declared persona non grata by
Pakistan’s Foreign Office. 9 March A seven-member delegation, led by
Pramod Doshi, visits Karachi in the
A Sikh jatha of 3,014 pilgrims from second week of March and meets tea
India visits Pakistan on the occasion traders in Karachi.
of anniversary of Guru Nanak.

10 March The Supreme Court rules that the
May 29, 1988, dissolution of
2 December Benazir Bhutto is sworn in as prime Pakistan’s National Assembly is
minister. unconstitutional.

12 December Ghulam Ishaq Khan is elected 13 March In the Punjab assembly, Chief
president of Pakistan. Minister Nawaz Sharif wins a vote
of confidence in a session demanded
29–31 December Rajiv Gandhi, accompanied by Sonia by the Pakistan People’s Party
Gandhi, visits Islamabad to attend (PPP).
the Fourth SAARC summit.

India and Pakistan sign three 5–14 April A jatha of over 3,000 Sikh pilgrims
agreements: visits Pakistan on the occasion of
1. Agreement on the prohibition of Baisakhi.

attack against nuclear 16 April Ambassador J. N. Dixit presents his
installations and facilities. credentials in Islamabad.
2. Agreement on cultural
cooperation. 10–12 May The Director General (Civil
3. Agreement on avoidance of Aviation) P. C. Sen. leads a 10-
double taxation of income member delegation to Karachi for
derived from international air bilateral talks with Pakistan. The
transport. Pakistani delegation is led by the
acting Director-General Civil
India’s prime minister Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Authority Ehtashan Akram.
and Pakistan’s prime minister The two sides agree to enhance the
Benazir Bhutto address a joint press capacity entitlement of their
conference. Both describe the talks designated carriers and also to
and agreements as important

220 CHRONOLOGY

discuss technical matters relating to 27–29 June India’s foreign secretary visits
air traffic service. Islamabad for a meeting of the
SAARC Standing Committee.
11–16 May Adviser (Traffic) Railway Board S. P. 10–11 July
Jain leads a five-member railway The Army Commanders of India
16–23 May delegation to Pakistan for talks with and Pakistan (led by Pakistan
21–24 May Pakistani railway authorities. The Director-General, Joint Staff
Pakistani delegation for the talks, Headquarters Lieutenant General
2 June which are held in Lahore and Imtiaz Warrich and India’s Director-
4 June Islamabad, is led by Minister (Traffic) General of Military Operations
14–17 June Zahoor Ahmed. (DGMO) Lieutenant General V. K.
Singh) meet at New Delhi to discuss
The two sides agree to restore travel points of the redeployment of
for nationals from both countries on armies of two countries in Siachen.
all seven days of the week by rail They agree to meet again in
crossing at the Wagah-Attari border. Islamabad in August.

Pakistan’s Minister for Tourism 16 July Rajiv Gandhi pays a two-day visit to
Yousuf Raja Gilani leads a four- Islamabad on his way back from
member delegation to India to Moscow to New Delhi. He is
participate in the Second Convention accompanied by Sonia Gandhi, P. V.
of Indian and Pakistani Tour Narasimha Rao, and senior officials.
Operators. This is the first bilateral visit of an
Indian prime minister to Pakistan
The Pakistan government approves a 18–19 July since 1960.
20-year plan for developing nuclear
power generation. The India-Pakistan Joint Ministerial
Commission holds its third meeting
The third round of the home 23–24 July in Islamabad. The delegations of the
secretary–level talks take place in two countries are led by their foreign
Islamabad. The Indian delegation is ministers.
led by Home Secretary J. A.
Kalyanakrishnan and the Pakistani Foreign Minister Sahabzada Yaqub
delegation by Interior Secretary S. K. Khan visits New Delhi as a follow-
Mahmud. up of his visit to Colombo to resolve
the crisis about holding SAARC
The talks between the surveyors 17 August meetings. He meets Rajiv Gandhi
general of India and Pakistan, Major and senior officials and offers
General S. M Chadha and Major Islamabad as a venue for the
General Anis Ali Syed, are held on the bilateral discussion between India
land and sea boundaries in the Sir and Sri Lanka to resolve their
Creek. The talks ended in Islamabad differences.
without any substantive agreement.
A three-member Indian military
Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi is elected to delegation, led by DGMO Lieutenant
lead a 94-member opposition General V. K. Singh, visits Islamabad
coalition in the National Assembly. for the second round of army
commanders–level talks on the
Defence Secretary Naresh Chandra 21 August deployment of forces in the Siachen
leads a six-member delegation to sector.
Islamabad for the fifth round of talks
on Siachen. The Pakistani delegation A Pakistan embassy official Abdul
is led by Defence Secretary Syed Ijlal Shakoor is apprehended in New
Haider. Delhi for espionage.

CHRONOLOGY 221

20 September Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto Khan proposes a resolution
reshuffles her cabinet. expressing solidarity with the people
of Jammu-Kashmir. The resolution is
Pakistan expels a staff member from 11 February adopted unanimously.
India’s mission, H. C. Pandey. This is
in retaliation for the expulsion of a 13 March Six persons are shot by Indian
Pakistani High Commission staff 23 March security forces when a mob crosses
member, Abdul Shakoor, by India in the LoC in Chakothi in POK.
August.
Pakistan government sends the
1 October Pakistan rejoins the Commonwealth. following special emissaries to
mobilize world public opinion on
31 October Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto Kashmir:
survives a vote of no confidence by a
narrow margin of 12 votes. Member for Manpower and Overseas
Pakistanis Ghulam Mohd Ahmed
11 November Prime Minister Bhutto includes three Khan Maneka goes to the Middle
members from Islami Jamhoori East and Australia on a seven-day
Ittehad (IJI), the coalition in visit.
opposition in her cabinet.
Adviser on Foreign Affairs Iqbal
1990 Pakistan’s ambassador to Moscow Akhund goes to China, Moscow,
7–11 January and former ambassador to India, Washington, and Brussels.
Abdus Sattar, visits New Delhi as a
special envoy of Benazir Bhutto. Law Minister Syed Iftikhar Hussain
Gilani goes to Saudi Arabia and
15–17 January The seventh Indo-Pak Telecom Kuwait. He also meets the
Operational Coordination meeting is Organisation of Islamic Conferences
held in Karachi. (OIC) secretary-general.

21–23 January Sahabzada Yaqub Khan visits New Minister of State for Finance Ehsan
Delhi and meets Rajiv Gandhi and ul Piracha goes to Algeria.
the external affairs minister in
connection with holding a SAARC Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Tanwer
summit. The Kashmir issue is also Ahmed Khan visits Jordan Paris and
discussed. Ankar between January 30 and
February 7.
2 February Official-level Indo-Pakistan talks on
fishermen and fishing boats are held Ambassador Happy Minwala visits
in New Delhi. the United States, France, the United
Kingdom, Belgium, and the
2–9 February A government-sponsored solidarity Netherlands.
week on Kashmir is observed in
Pakistan. Delegations are also sent out by
POK.
5 February A nationwide strike is called by the
IJI in support of Jammu-Kashmir. Benazir Bhutto refers to the situation
February 5 is declared a national in Kashmir as a jihad. During her
holiday by the federal government of first visit to POK as prime minister,
Pakistan. she gives a highly provocative anti-
India speech.
10 February Benazir convenes a joint session of
parliament, and Sahabzada Yaqub While addressing the Joint Services
parade, President Ghulam Ishaq

222 CHRONOLOGY

Khan criticizes India’s defense budget of Jammu-Kashmir. This is attended
and states that the only possible by delegates from Bangladesh,
solution to the Kashmir issue is Palestine, Afghanistan, and the
through UN resolutions. Philippines.

1 April Official notification for the setting up 24 May Benazir Bhutto at a press conference
of “prime minister’s funds for welfare says that demand for a separate state
15 April and relief for Kashmiris” is issued. for Kashmir was not envisaged in
24 April 1947. The proposal for an
Benazir again makes an aggressive 30 May independent Kashmir could have
25 April statement referring to Zulfikar Ali 2 June dangerous consequences for India
5 May Bhutto’s determination to fight over and Pakistan.
14 May Kashmir for “a thousand years.” After
15 May Prime Minister V. P. Singh’s speech in Ethnic violence in Karachi spreads to
India’s parliament on April 10, a number of areas in the city,
President Ghulam Ishaq Khan and bringing the death toll to 103 in four
Chief of Army Staff M. A. Beg issue days of fighting.
statements saying that war is not in
the interest of India and Pakistan. Ethnic troubles continue in Karachi,
bringing the total number of dead to
Foreign Ministers I. K. Gujral of 18 June 200.
India and Sahabzada Yaqub Khan of
Pakistan meet in New York. Jammu and Kashmir Liberation
Front (JKLF) leader announces the
IJI chief, Senator Qazi Hussain 22 June formation of a provincial
Ahimed, stages a jihad rally in front government of an independent state
of India’s High Commission in of Jammu-Kashmir.
Islamabad.
Benazir, in an interview to French
A five-member Indian Science and daily Le Figaro, says that the people
Technology delegation, led by of Kashmir should be allowed to
Dr. A. P. Kulshreshta, visits Pakistan decide their own future; neither
for a week. Pakistan nor India has the right to
decide for them.
Talks are held in New York between 10 July
Sahabzada Yaqub Khan and I. K. Benazir Bhutto arrives in Baghdad,
Gujral on the situation in Kashmir. Iraq, at the start of her second
mission to the Middle East to solicit
A three-member delegation from the 17–20 July support for Pakistan on the issue of
Center for Policy Research, India, Kashmir.
headed by Pai Panandiker and
including I. P. Singh and Dr. Bhabani Following an Indian CBM package
Sen Gupta, visits Lahore and proposal, the first round of talks by
Islamabad. Foreign Secretaries (Muchkund
Dubey and Tanvir Ahmed Khan) is
Punjab Chief Minister Nawaz Sharif 20 July held in Islamabad. Little progress is
says that, if India attempts to attack achieved as the Pakistan delegation
Pakistan, each Kashmiri will continued to focus on Kashmir and
dominate 1,000 Hindus. redeployment of Indian troops.

An International Conference on The Standing Committee of the
Kashmir is organized by Jamaat-i- Pakistan Senate on Religious and
Islami in Lahore in support of the Minorities Affairs, takes “strong note
“freedom movement” of the people of the continuous violation of the
Nehru-Liaquat Agreement.”

CHRONOLOGY 223

6 August President Ghulam Ishaq Khan 21–23 November Nawaz Sharif meets Chandra
dismisses Prime Minister Benazir Shekhar at Male during the fifth
10–12 August Bhutto, dissolves the National SAARC’s summit.
September Assembly, and orders national
elections for October 24, 1990. 25 November The wife of an official of the Indian
7 October Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, the leader of High Commission in Islamabad is
8 October the opposition in the National abducted. Harassment and
24 October Assembly is sworn in as caretaker intimidation of Indian families
3 November prime minister. increase, and a number of
10 November unprovoked incidents take place
The second round of foreign during this month.
secretary–level talks is held in New
Delhi. 29 November Nawaz Sharif has a telephone
conversation with Chandra Shekhar
Border incidents on August 12 in Kel and sends greetings, reiterating his
sector and a speech by V. P. Singh are desire to develop cooperative and
played up by the Pakistan media. good neighborly relations with India
based on sovereign equality and
L. K. Advani leads a march (Rath mutual benefits.
Yatra) beginning in September and
lasting several weeks, through 15 December Pakistan’s cabinet, under the
northwestern India, culminating in chairmanship of Prime Minister
Ayodhya and the destruction of a Nawaz Sharif, decides to allow the
famous mosque. establishment of passenger airlines in
the private sector.
The government of Pakistan imports
500 tons of onions from India. The 18–20 December The third round of foreign
Indian offer is the lowest; other secretary–level talks takes place in
bidders are Turkey, China, and Islamabad. Pakistan media report the
Spain. harassment of five diplomatic officers
of Pakistan in Delhi.
During a private visit to India,
former Information Minister 1991 Rallies and demonstrations are held
Maulana Kausar Niazi calls on V. P. 5 January in Pakistan to express solidarity with
Singh. He also meets with Rajiv the movement for self-determination
Gandhi. in Kashmir.

Four staff members of CGI, Karachi Nawaz Sharif, in his message,
are expelled. pledges that the government and
people of Pakistan will continue to
Elections are held all over Pakistan; extend political, moral, and
Bhutto’s PPP loses in all the diplomatic support to Kashmiri
provinces to IJI. Muslims.

IJI student demonstration set on fire The Pakistani government
a Hindu temple in NWFP and a announces plans to distribute
Krishna Kali temple in Lahore in the 350,000 acres of its land to the haris
wake of the Ram Janambhumi-Babri (landless peasants) in Sind.
Masjid issue. Attacks on other
mandirs (temples) and Hindu 9 January A letter of intent for privatization of
laborers are also reported. Muslim Commercial Bank is handed
over to successful bidders.
Nawaz Sharif is sworn in as prime
minister of Pakistan.

224 CHRONOLOGY

12 January A meeting of Council of Common 14 March Pakistan to shoot his film, Henna,
17 January Interests is held under the 16–17 March clearance for which is obtained at
18 January chairmanship of Prime Minister prime minister’s level.
27 January Nawaz Sharif after a gap of almost 16 21 March
years. 26 March Elections are held to Pakistan’s
1 February 5–7 April Senate. The government coalition,
5 February Countrywide rallies are held in IJI, maintains its control of the upper
7 February protest against U.S.-led attack on 11 April house.
14 February Iraq. 14 April
25 February Federal Interior Minister Chaudry
Demonstrations are held all over Shujat Hussain, accompanied by his
Pakistan to protest against the brother-in-law, Ch. Parvaiz Elahi,
bombing of Iraq by the United States minister of local government and
and other coalition forces. tourism in Punjab, and by other
family members, pays a private visit
Indo-Pakistan agreement on the to Delhi to grieve the death of Delhi-
prohibition of attacks on each other’s based industrialist Talwar.
nuclear installations and facilities
comes into effect. Nawaz Sharif announces an
agreement on apportionment of
Pakistan’s Senate adopts resolution Indus waters.
condemning the United States and
United Kingdom for carrying out Four Pakistanis hijack a Singapore
indiscriminate bombing against Airlines aircraft en route from Kuala
Iraq. Lumpur to Singapore.

A devastating earthquake hits the The fourth round of foreign
Northern Areas of Pakistan. The secretary–level talks, headed by
death toll is estimated at more than Shaharyar Khan and Muchkund
1,000. Dubey, held in Delhi, is preceded by
talks by Major General Arshad Malik,
A day of Solidarity with the People of Pakistan Surveyor General, along
Kashmir is commemorated in with his Indian counterpart, on the
Pakistan and POK. Nawaz Sharif delimitation of the maritime
declares it a public holiday. boundary in Sir Creek.

Nawaz Sharif announces a 25-point A high-level military delegation, led
foreign exchange reform program. by Lieutenant General Shamim Alam
Khan, visits Delhi for discussions.
Pakistan’s National Assembly Two agreements are signed on
unanimously adopts a resolution “advance notice of military exercises
condemning the killing of Iraqi and manoeuvres” and “prevention of
civilians by allied forces. air space violations.”

POK Prime Minister Rathore states A Shariat Bill is introduced in
that the Jammu-Kashmir people are Pakistan’s National Assembly by
not ready to recognize any fictitious Minister of State for Law Ch. Amir
LoC, rejecting Dr. Farooq Abdullah’s Hussain.
suggestion that the LoC be
considered a permanent border in Pakistan’s Federal Food and
Kashmir. Agriculture Minister Lieutenant
General (Ret.) Abdul Majid Malik
Film director Randhi Kapoor, announces a new agricultural policy
accompanied by his unit, visits effective as of April 16.

20 April The Shariat Bill is adopted by 11 June CHRONOLOGY 225
28 April Pakistan’s National Assembly by 109
22 May votes to 29. 12 June Sharif puts forward a proposal that
17 June the United States, the Soviet Union,
24–25 May Nawaz Sharif announces the 2 July and China consult and meet with
National Finance Commission 5 July India and Pakistan to discuss and
31 May Award. 11 July resolve the issue of nuclear
nonproliferation in South Asia.
6 June The Shariat Bill is passed by
Pakistan’s Senate, 40 votes to 3. The International Conference on
“gross and systematic violation of
While on an election campaign in human rights” in India is held in
Tamilnadu, Rajiv Gandhi is Islamabad.
assassinated by a Sri Lankan.
Pakistan’s Senate adopts a JKLF leader Amanullah Khan speaks
condolence resolution expressing in favor of placing the entire Jammu-
deep sorrow over this tragic death. Kashmir under UN trusteeship for a
period of five years, following which
President Ghulam Ishaq Khan and people would exercise their rights of
Nawaz Sharif send condolences to self-determination.
Sonia Gandhi. President Ghulam
Ishaq Khan visits India’s High Notification is issued announcing
Commission to sign the condolence Lieutenant General Asif Nawaz
book. Janjua as the new COAS as of August
16 when General Beg retired.
Nawaz Sharif visits Delhi,
accompanied by Minister Rana Lieutenant General Shami Alam
Chander Singh. Information Adviser Khan is appointed chairman of
Sheikh Rashid, Foreign Secretary JCSC, effective November 9.
Shaharyar Khan, and others attend
the funeral rites of Rajiv Gandhi. A summary of the main findings of
PDA’s white paper on rigging in the
Benazir Bhutto, accompanied by previous year’s elections in Pakistan
former Federal Ministers Iftikar is released by PDA Secretary-General
Gilani and Yusuf Raza Gilani and Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri.
PPP Information Secretary Salman
Taseer, also visits Delhi to attend the Local Pakistani papers report that the
funeral rites. Pakistani army has achieved a major
victory in Siachen by capturing a
An Army ammunition depot near post of considerable importance.
Nowshera (NWFP) blows up, killing
more than 20 people and destroying POK Prime Minister Mumtaz
approximately 1,000 tons of Rathore invalidates the June 29
ammunition. general elections and accuses the
government of Pakistan of
India’s general election is held interfering with the electoral
May–June. Congress emerges with process.
the most parliamentary seats, though
still short of a majority, and forms a The GOP sacks caretaker POK Prime
government headed by P. V. Minister Mumtaz Rathore and
Narasimha Rao. arrests him under the Maintenance
of Public Order Ordinance.
In an address to the National
Defence College, Rawalpindi, Nawaz The Muslim Conference nominates
Sardar Qayyum as the new POK
prime minister.

226 CHRONOLOGY

16 July Thirty-seven Indians, held in and 20 injured. The Pakistan Foreign
Pakistan jails, and 39 Pakistanis, held Office conveys a strong protest on
in Indian jails, are exchanged at the the incident.
Wagah checkpoint.

10 September Nawaz Sharif expands his cabinet,
raising its size by 12 new ministers to
18 July Pakistan’s National Assembly adopts 50. Seventeen ministers of state and
the 12th Constitutional Amendment one adviser are sworn in.
Bill, which authorizes the federal
government to establish special 24 September PDA releases a 517-page white paper
courts to curb so-called heinous on rigging in the 1990 elections.
crimes.

19 July POK’s accession day is celebrated in 24–27 September A five-member military delegation,
Pakistan to mark the resolution led by DG (Military Operations)
adopted by the All Muslim Congress Lieutenant General Satish Nambiar,
(AMC) in 1947. visits Islamabad for talks with
Lieutenant General Pirdad Khan, DG
Nawaz Sharif sends a special message (JCSC). Military delegations discuss
urging the world community to take the recent incident of firing along the
action to halt atrocities being LoC and agree to establish contacts
committed by Indian security forces. between specific sector commanders
and to continue future discussions
29 July Sardar Qayyum takes the oath as on additional confidence-building
POK prime minister. measures.

30 July Fourth meeting of Indo-Pakistan 1 October The fifth round of foreign
Committee to combat drug secretary–level talks is held in
smuggling is held in Islamabad. Islamabad, headed by Dubey and
Shaharyar Khan. Dubey also meets
16 August Lieutenant General Asif Nawaz is with Ghulam Ishaq Khhan Nawaz
promoted to the rank of general and Sharif, Minister of State Kanju, and
takes charge as COAS. S. G. Akram Zaki.

18–20 August Shaharyar Khan visits Delhi as a It is agreed that the sixth round of
special envoy of Pakistan’s prime foreign secretary–level talks will be
minister. During his stay, he calls on held in Delhi in early 1992, preceded
prime minister and defense minister by meetings on the Tulbul
and holds meetings with Foreign Navigation project, Sir Creek, and
Secretary Dubey. He also hands over chemical weapons.
a letter from Nawaz Sharif to
Narasimha Rao. 7 October On his return from United Nations
General Assembly, Minister of State
21 August Nawaz Shariz addresses a rally held Kanju in a press conference declares
to mark the anniversary of the that he has urged Foreign Minister
beginning of resistance against the Solanki to accept Pakistan’s proposal
then ruling family of Dogras on for deployment of international
August 23, 1947. He reiterates observers along the LoC.
Pakistan’s obligation to continue
political and moral support to 12 –15 October The seventh round of secretary–level
Kashmiris fighting for self- talks on Tulbul Navigation project,
determination. headed by Indian Water Resources
Secretary Dr. M. A. Chitale and his
6–9 September Samjhauta Express is fired upon by Pakistan counterpart, S. R. Poonegar,
Sikh militants; one Pakistani is killed is held in Islamabad.

CHRONOLOGY 227

17 October Narasimha Rao has a breakfast Harminder Singh and Ravinder
meeting with Nawaz Sharif in Harare Singh, who claimed to be citizens of
(Zimbabwe). This is the first meeting Pakistan on the grounds that they are
between the two prime ministers. It citizens of Jammu-Kashmir. The two
is announced that both sides will accused participated in hijacking an
continue their dialogue and redouble IAC airbus on a flight from Srinagar
their efforts to find a solution for all to Bombay.
outstanding disputes.
Jammu and Kashmir Liberation
25–28 October Secretary–level talks on the 11 December Front Chief Amanullah Khan
demarcation of the land boundary in announces that JKLF will cross the
the Sir Creek area and the 28 December cease-fire line in Kashmir on
delimitation of maritime boundary February 11.
are held in Rawalpindi. 1992
1 January In an interview with Hindustan
Board of Control for Cricket in Times’s editor H. K. Dua, Nawaz
Pakistan (BCCP) announces that 5 January Sharif suggests that India and
Pakistan cricket team’s tour to India 23 January Pakistan commence a dialogue at a
to play five one-day matches has 26 January high political level to resolve Kashmir
been postponed due to threats from 29 January and other bilateral issues.
militant Hindus. Earlier Benazir 2 February
Bhutto has also written to Nawaz 5 February India and Pakistan exchange lists of
Sharif for postponement of the tour nuclear installations and facilities
in protest against Indian policies in in pursuance of the Agreement on
Jammu-Kashmir. Non-attack of Nuclear
Installations.
2 November A Pakistani Foreign Office
spokesperson states that the Right of Self-determination Day for
government of Pakistan, GOP, and the Kashmiris is observed in Pakistan
people are outraged and anguished and Azad Jammu-Kashmir. Several
over the desecration and damage to protest rallies are organized.
the Babri mosque.
India’s new high commissioner to
12 November High Commissioner J. N. Dixit pays Pakistan, S. K Lambah, presents his
a farewell call on President Ghulam credentials to President Ghulam
Ishaq Khan. The latter reiterates Ishaq Khan.
Pakistan’s desire to promote peaceful
relations with India on the basis of India’s high commissioner, S. K.
justice and sovereign equality. Lambah, calls on Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif.
13 November Nawaz Sharif tells Dixit that SAARC
should be made more effective to A presidential ordinance is
promote peace and development in promulgated establishing the Indus
the region, when the latter calls on River System Authority.
him. Foreign Office Secretary-
General Zaki hosts a lunch in honor Narasimha Rao and Nawaz Sharif
of Dixit. meet in Davos, Switzerland.

14 November Dixit leaves Islamabad to take up his In response to a call by Nawaz Sharif,
appointment as India’s foreign a strike is observed in Pakistan to
secretary. “express solidarity with the
Kashmiris.”
24 November Pakistan’s Supreme Court refuses
appeal petition by Sikh hijackers

228 CHRONOLOGY

6 February Pakistan’s National Assembly adopts of the Pakistan cricket team in the
a resolution on Kashmir. World Cup Tournament.

11–12 February JKLF attempts to cross the LoC. 30 March Another attempt is made to cross the
Fourteen people are killed and more 16 April LoC on a call given by the JKLF. Firm
than 115 injured in the 24 April steps are taken by Pakistan
confrontation with paramilitary 4 May authorities to prevent the crossing.
personnel. 5 May
Arshad Ali, an official of the Pakistan
GOP dispatches the following special 13 May High Commission in Delhi, is
emissaries to mobilize world opinion 24 May apprehended by Indian authorities
on Kashmir. for his alleged involvement in
25 May espionage activity and is expelled.
Defence Minister Ghous Ali Shah 28 May
visits Saudi Arabia and Oman. 14 June Afghan mujahedeen signs an
agreement in Peshawar.
Minister for Food, Agriculture and
Cooperatives, Lieutenant General S. K. Lambah meets Prime Minister
(Ret.) Abdul Majid Malik visits Nawaz Sharif.
Morocco, Senegal, Cape Verde, and
Nigeria. Jammat-i-Islami withdraws from the
ruling IJI.
Minister for Environment Anwar
Saifullah visits Brazil, Ecuador, and The Imam of Jama Masjid, Delhi,
Venezuela. Syed Abdullah Bukhari, pays a two-
week visit to Pakistan. Among others,
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs he meets Nawaz Sharif twice.
Siddique Khan Kanju visits Malaysia
and Indonesia. Four Pakistani military personnel,
who were detained when they
Minister for Science and Technology crossed over to Indian territory in
Ilahi Baksh Soomro visits Egypt. March 1992, are released.

Minister for Commerce Malik Counselor Rajesh Mittal is abducted
Naeem Khan visits China. just outside his house in Islamabad.
Allegedly he is tortured by Pakistan
2 March Pakistan’s Lieutenant General Javed intelligence agencies and released
Nasir appoints Director General after about seven hours of inhuman
Inter-Service Intelligence (DGISI) in treatment, including electric shocks.
place of Major General Asad GOP declares him persona non
Durrani. grata for making unfounded
allegations.
5 March Sindh Chief Minister Jam Sadiq Ali
dies. Two counselors of Pakistan HC in
Delhi, Syed Fayyaz Mahmood
7 March Syed Muzaffer Hussain Shah is Endrabi and Zafar-ul Hassan, are
elected Sindh CM. expelled by India.

18 March NPP is expelled from ruling IJI GOP announces handing over of law
coalition at the center. and order responsibility in Sind to
the Army for a period of six months.
25 March Indian President R. Venkataraman
congratulates Pakistani President The prime ministers of India and
Ghulam Ishaq Khan on the victory Pakistan meet in Rio de Janeiro,

CHRONOLOGY 229

where both are attending the Earth 20 August National Democratic Alliance, a new
Summit. grouping of eight opposition political
parties, is launched in Karachi.
Baloch leader Nawab Khair Bux
15 June Maqsi returns to Pakistan from exile 27 August The National Assembly adopts a
9 July in Kabul. resolution moved by Minister of
State for Foreign Affairs Muhammad
10 August Pakistan’s Minister of State for Siddique Khan Kanju that expresses
Foreign Affairs Muhammad Siddique “deep distress and anguish” over the
16 August Khan Kanju meets with Minister of attempt to desecrate and demolish
17 August State for External Affairs Eduardo the Babri mosque.
19 August Faleiro in Colombo, where both are
attending the 11th SAARC Council 29 August S. K. Lambah calls on Nawaz Sharif
of Ministers meeting. to convey India’s strong sentiments
and deep concerns at the resolution
The eighth round of secretary–level adopted by the Pakistan National
talks on Tulbul Navigation project Assembly on Babri Masjid and
takes place in Delhi. Pakistan’s “undue” interference in
India’s internal affairs. He also hands
President of the Awami National over a letter from Narasimmha Rao
Party (ANP) Ajmal Khan Khattak, to Nawaz Sharif in response to the
visits Delhi to participate in the latter’s communication of August 17.
ceremonies commemorating the
50th anniversary of the Quit India 3 September Nawaz Sharif and Narasimha Rao
Movement and calls on Narasimha meet in Jakarta, where both are
Rao. attending the 10th NAM summit.

The sixth round of talks between 6–10 September Janata Dal leader and former Prime
Shaharyar Khan and Dixit begins in Minister V. P. Singh visits Karachi to
Delhi. participate in a seminar sponsored by
the PPP on the Role of Opposition in
Shaharyar Khan hands over a letter Asian Societies.
from Nawaz Sharif to Narasimha
Rao proposing bilateral negotiations 10–30 September Devastating floods hit Pakistan,
on Kashmir under Article VI of the causing extreme countrywide
Simla Agreement. damage; losses are estimated to be
over US$1 billion.
At the conclusion of the foreign
secretary–level talks, the two sides 28 September Pakistan Minister of State for Foreign
exchange the Instruments of Affairs Muhammad Siddiqui Khan
Ratification of the Agreement on Kanju meets with Minister of State
Prevention of Air Space Violations by for External Affairs Eduardo Faleiro
Military Aircraft and Agreement on in New York where both are
Advance Notice of Military Exercises, attending the UNGA session.
Manoeuvres and Troop Movements.
They also sign a Joint Declaration on 30 September India sends two IAF AN-32 aircraft
the Complete Prohibition of a carrying medicines for the flood-
Chemical Weapons and Code of affected people of Pakistan.
Conduct for Treatment of
Diplomatic/Consular Personnel of 8 October Pakistan Minister of Education Syed
India and Pakistan. Fakkar Imam visits India in
connection with the inaugural
The Indian side formally hands over ceremony of the First South Asian
a letter of invitation to the chief of Festival.
Army staff of Pakistan to visit India.

230 CHRONOLOGY

11 October S. K. Lambah meets with Prime 23 November Benazir Bhutto leads a Long March
Minister Nawaz Sharif. 2 December from Karachi to Rawalpindi.
5 December
15 October Two Pakistan nationals, Intekhab Zia 6 December The government of Pakistan advises
and Habibullah, are among the six 7 December its citizens to avoid traveling to India
terrorists killed in an encounter with 8 December for “security and safety reasons.”
the Indian security forces in Kashmir Pakistan citizens visiting India are
near the village Kanga Rian in the 9 December also advised to curtail their visits.
Jalandhar district.
An official of the Pakistan High
Qazi Hussain Ahmed is reelected Commission Mohammad Ashfaq is
Amir Jamaat-e-Islami for another apprehended in Delhi while
five-year tenure. accepting documents from a junior
army officer. He is declared persona
24–25 October The opposition POK Democratic non grata on December 7.
Alliance makes an unsuccessful
attempt to cross the Line of Control Nawaz Sharif expresses a “deep sense
(LoC). of shock and horror” at the Ayodhya
developments. Incidents of stone
26 October The Pakistan National Assembly throwing at Shivaji Court in Karachi,
passes a resolution on Kashmir which house some members of the
regarding the Line of Control. staff, take place.

28–30 October A group of demonstrators, led by GOP hands over an aide-memoire
Advocate Ansar Burney, stages a protesting the demolition of the
hunger strike outside the Indian Babri Masjid in violation of the
High Commission in Islamabad, interdominion agreement of August
demanding the return of the dead 1947 and the Nehru-Liaquat Pact of
bodies of the two terrorists killed in April 1950.
India.
Government-sponsored
2–5 November The sixth round of talks on the demonstrations are held throughout
Siachen issue is held in New Delhi. Pakistan. Several temples,
The Indian delegation is led by gurudwaras, and churches are
Defence Secretary N. N. Vohra and attacked and burned. In Karachi, the
the Pakistan delegation by Defence residence of Consulate-General (CG)
Secretary Syed Salim Abbas Jilani. Rajiv Dogra is ransacked and
burned. Incidents of stone throwing
5–6 November The fifth round of talks on the Sir are reported at the houses of
Creek issue is held in New Delhi. members of staff in Islamabad. Huge
The Indian delegation is led by protests are held in front of missions
Nareshwar Dayal, additional in Karachi and Islamabad.
secretary, ministry of external
affairs, and the Pakistan delegation Secretary (West) K. Srinivasan
by Khalid Saleem, additional summons Pakistan High
secretary, ministry of foreign Commissioner Riaz Khokhar and
affairs. lodges India’s strong protest at the
ransacking and burning of the Indian
18 November Opposition PDA organizes a so- CG’s residence in Karachi and the
called Long March from Rawalpindi lack of security arrangements.
to Islamabad. Benazir Bhutto is Families of Indian officials at the
deported to Karachi and excluded Indian Consulate-General Karachi
from Islamabad for 30 days. are temporarily sent back home due
to the insecure situation in Karachi.

11 December An aide-memoire is handed over by 12 January CHRONOLOGY 231
the joint secretary of the Integrated
14 December Programme of Action (IPA) 2 February Delhi to a maximum of 110
15 December Bhadrakumar to Pakistan Dy. Shahid 4 February personnel by February 10, 1993.
17 December Malik in Delhi expressing concern at 5 February
24 December the wanton destruction of places of 6 February Lieutenant General Abdul Waheed,
worship for minorities in Pakistan. commander 12 Corps, Quetta, is
29 December 8 February appointed as the new COAS at the
India asks Pakistan to withdraw 8 March rank of full general, jumped over
1993 another official, Mohammad Anjum some serving officers senior to him.
4 January for his “unacceptable activities.”
7 January Benazir Bhutto is unanimously
8 January MQM chief Altaf Hussain announces elected chair of the Standing
10 January his withdrawal from politics. Committee on Foreign Affairs of the
National Assembly.
Pakistan declares three Indian
officials persona non grata (one from Nawaz Sharif highlights alleged
Islamabad and two from the Consul violations of human rights of
General in Karachi). Muslims in India in his address to
the UN Human Rights Commission
The Pakistan National Assembly in Geneva. Pakistan’s attempt to get a
adopts a resolution condemning the resolution passed against India
demolition of the Babri Masjid in during the conference fails.
Ayodhya and demanding its
reconstruction at the original site. The Pakistan National Assembly
adopts a resolution condemning
The Pakistan Foreign Office, alleged Indian atrocities on
interpreting the Code of Conduct Kashmiris.
unilaterally, asks for the staff strength
of CGI Karachi to be reduced from JI called for a countrywide strike in
64 to 20 (including four diplomats Pakistan and POK on the Kashmir
and 16 nondiplomats). issue.

India and Pakistan exchange lists of Asif Zardari (Benazir Bhutto’s
each other’s nuclear installations and husband) is granted bail in the Unar
facilities for the second consecutive case by the Special Court for
year. Suppression of Terrorist Activities
and released from prison.
India’s Senate adopts a unanimous
resolution on the Ayodhya incident. Jamat-i-Islami organizes an All
Parties Conference on the Kashmir
Pakistan’s COAS General Asif Nawaz issue in Lahore.
Janjua dies suddenly of a heart
attack. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
announces a program of distributing
M. K. Bhadra Kumar, the joint over 4,000 acres of land among
secretary of the Integrated 30,000 landless peasant families of
Programme of Action at the Ministry the “Katcha areas” in Sindh.
of External Affaires, conveys to
Pakistan’s Deputy High The High Court of Azad Kashmir
Commissioner Shahid Malik, GOI’s declares the Northern Areas a part of
decision to reduce the strength of the the territory of Azad Jammu-
Pakistan High Commission in New Kashmir in a judgment delivered in
Muzaffarabad on a writ petition filed
by two residents of Gilgit and
advocates from POK.

232 CHRONOLOGY

14 March Nawaz Sharif sends a message of 4–5 April suspended on Kashmir and Babri
15 March sympathy to India’s Prime Minister 11 April Masjid.
17 March on the bomb explosions in Bombay
18 March on March 12. 18 April The POK People’s Party March to
19 March 19 April cross LoC ends unsuccessfully.
22 March Pakistan Foreign Office
23 March spokesperson regrets the alleged 21 April The widow of former COAS General
tendency of Indian politicians to 22 April Asif Nawaz claims at a press
27 March blame Pakistan for any unpleasant 25 April conference that her husband’s death
28 March event in India. is a political assassination caused by
slow poisoning.
29 March Two BSF personnel, while patrolling
the border in the Ferozpur section, Narasimha Rao and Nawaz Sharif
are taken away by Pakistani Rangers. meet at Dhaka during the SAARC
Summit.
The president of the Pakistan
Muslim League and former Prime President Ghulam Ishaq Khan
Minister Mohammad Khan Junejo dissolves the National Assembly and
dies in Baltimore, Maryland, where dismisses Nawaz Sharif’s
he is undergoing treatment. government. Balakh Sher Mazari is
appointed caretaker prime minister.
The two BSF personnel are released.
India’s External Affairs Minister
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif meets Dinesh Singh makes a personal
with Pakistan’s Ghulam Ishaq Khan statement in Lok Sabha on dismissal
amid reports of heightening of Nawaz Sharif’s government in
confrontation between the two Pakistan.
leaders.
National Assembly Speaker Gohar
K. Srinivasan, secretary (West), MEA, Ayub Khan files a written petition in
hands over evidence about six Lahore’s High Court challenging the
members of the Menon family dissolution.
having reached Karachi on March 17
to Pakistan High Commissioner Riaz Union Home Minister S. B. Chavan
Khokar. The government of Pakistan makes a statement in Lok Sabha on
is requested to trace them and send the Bombay bomb blasts, implicating
them back to India. Pakistan.

The government of Pakistan refuses Nazeer Ahmed Malik, secretary
permission for a hijacked Indian narcotics control division, is
Airlines aircraft from Delhi to appointed director intelligence
Madras to land at Lahore. bureau, in place of Brigadier (Ret.)
Imtiaz, who resigned following the
Three members of the Federal dismissal of the Nawaz Sharif
Cabinet, Planning and Development government.
Minister Hamid Naser Chatta,
Environment and Urban Affairs Nawaz Sharif files a written petition
Minister Anwar Saifullah, and in the Supreme Court challenging
Adviser to the Prime Minister on the dissolution of the National
Establishment Affairs Asad Ali Junejo Assembly.
resign from the government.
Punjab Chief Minister Ghulam
OIC Foreign Ministers conference Haider Wyne is defeated in the vote
concludes in Karachi; resolutions are of no confidence by a margin of 157

29 April votes to 20. Mian Manzoor Ahmed 22 May CHRONOLOGY 233
1 May Wattoo, speaker of the provincial 26 May
2 May assembly, takes the oath as chief 27 May Baluchistan’s Chief Minister Mir.
6 May minister of Punjab. Mohammad Jamali resigns, fearing
29 May his inability to defeat a no-
12 May Justice Naseem Hasan Shah is sworn 30 May confidence motion.
13–16 May in as chief justice of Pakistan’s 5 June
16 May Supreme Court. 9 June Pakistan’s Supreme Court restores
the dissolved National Assembly and
17 May MQM chairman Azim Ahmed Tariq 20 June the dismissed government of Nawaz
is assassinated in Karachi. Sharif.
21 May
Lieutenant General Javed Nasir and Pakistan’s National Assembly adopts
Major General Asad Durrani (both a resolution expressing confidence in
ex-deputy general staff with Inter- Nawaz Sharif by a majority of 123
Services Intelligence) are prematurely votes to nil.
retired from Pakistan’s Army.
Narasimha Rao sends a message to
Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif welcoming his
Mazari and Indian Vice President restoration as prime minister. The
K. R. Narayanan have a long message is personally handed over by
conversation in Colombo, when they S. K. Lambah. He is the first diplomat
are seated next to each other during to be received by Nawaz Sharif after
the funeral rites of President his restoration.
Premadasa.
Punjab’s provincial assembly is
The Commission of Inquiry, set up dissolved by the governor on the
to probe the death of COAS General advice of the chief minister.
Asif Nawaz, submits its report to the
law minister. Governor of NWFP, Amir Gulestan
Janjua, dissolves the NWFP’s
The 77th Meeting of the Permanent assembly on the advice of Chief
Indus Commission is held in New Minister Mir. Afzal Khan.
Delhi.
A written petition challenging the
The caretaker Pakistan prime dissolution of the NWFP assembly is
minister, in his meeting with S. K. filed in Peshawar High Court.
Lambah, gives a report on the
Menon family that admits six of The Lahore High Court
them had arrived in Karachi on temporarily restores the Punjab
March 17, but there is no trace of Assembly and cabinet headed by
them thereafter. C. M. Wattoo through interim
order. It also places a restriction on
At a press conference, India’s home any fresh advice to dissolve the
minister rejects a Pakistan request for assembly or a no-confidence
a meeting of the home/interior motion until a final decision is
secretaries of the two countries to reached.
discuss the issue of the whereabouts
of the Menon brothers. POK government files an appeal
against the judgment of the POK
Jamaat-e-Islami announces the High Court, which declared that the
formation of the Pakistan Islamic Northern Areas are part of Azad
Mahaz in Lahore with IJI Amir Qazi Jammu-Kashmir.
Hussain Ahmed as its first president.
The National Assembly adopts a
resolution moved by Iftikar Gilani