Events from the year 2008 in Pakistan.
Incumbents
Federal government
President: until 18 August: Pervez Musharraf 18 August-9 September: Muhammad Mian Soomro starting 9 September: Asif Ali Zardari Prime Minister: Muhammad Mian Soomro (acting) (starting 16 November) Chief Justice: Abdul Hameed Dogar (acting)
Governors
Governor of Balochistan – Owais Ahmed Ghani (until 5 January); Nawab Zulfikar Ali Magsi (starting 5 January) Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – Ali Jan Aurakzai (until 7 January); Owais Ahmed Ghani (starting 7 January) Governor of Punjab – Khalid Maqbool (until 16 May); Salmaan Taseer (starting 16 May) Governor of Sindh – Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan
Events
January
2 January – Pakistan announces that elections originally scheduled for 8 January will be postponed until the 18 February, following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. 3 January – Benazir Bhutto assassination: President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf denies any role in Benazir Bhutto's death. (CNN) 11 January – Beginning of Islamic Hijri year 1429 First of Muharram on Friday 11 January 2008. 19 January - Saturday 9th of Muharram, Official holiday in Pakistan in memory of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain 20 January – Sunday 10th of Muharram, Ashura, an official holiday in Pakistan-In memory of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain 31 January – The United States announces that Abu Laith al-Libi, a senior commander of Al-Qaeda who recruited and trained operatives, was killed in a missile strike in northwest Pakistan
February
9 February – 15 People are killed in an election rally in Charsada. 11 February – Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan is believed to have been kidnapped by suspected pro-Taliban militants. 12 February – The Government of Pakistan steps up security for "fair, transparent and peaceful" elections scheduled for 18 February. 13 February – Pakistan test fires a nuclear capable short range ballistic missile. Two suspects confessed to a judge that they helped to arm the suicide bomber who killed Bhutto. 14 February – Three soldiers are killed by a bomb explosion near Khair, Surabaja. 15 February – Pakistan announces the arrest of a fifth man in connection with the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Pakistan and India agree to double the number of flights between the two nations. 16 February – 37 people are killed in a bombing in the town of Parachinar at an election rally. 18 February – Elections take place in Pakistan. 19 February – Election results show that President Musharraf's party Pakistan Muslim League (Q) have received a heavy defeat. 21 February – Pakistan's two main opposition parties agree to form a coalition following the elections. 29 February – At least 45 people died and 82 were wounded in a suicide attack on the funeral February 29, 2008 of a district superintendent of police – killed earlier in the day in a separate attack – in Swat province.
March
22 March – The PPP nominate Yousaf Raza Gillani to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan. 25 March – Yousaf Raza Gillani is sworn in as Prime Minister of Pakistan. 24 March – Prime minister Gillani vows to free judges who were detained during emergency rule. 29 March – PM Gillani announces to the National Assembly that the fight against terrorism will be the top priority of the new government.
April
1 April – The new government of Pakistan announces that it will rethink the policy on militants. 15 April – President Musharraf announces he is lobbying the Chinese government to build gas and oil pipelines. 16 April – The Olympic torch arrives in Pakistan. 19 April – Taliban rebels release a video of Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan who they are holding as a hostage.
May
12 May – PML (N) quits the cabinet, following the failure to restore judges. 16 May – Pakistan's Ambassador to Afghanistan, Tariq Azizuddin was set free by kidnappers. 17 May – Lawyers announced their plan for Long March to be held on 10 June, for the Restoration of Judges.
June
1 June – Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed left Pakistan Muslim League (Q) and formed his new Party, Awami Muslim League. 2 June – Car bomb attack near Denmark Embassy kills 8 people. .
July
6 July – A suicide bomber attacked a police station in Islamabad killing 12 policemen and seven civilians in a rally marking the first anniversary of Lal Masjid siege.