The dates below indicate how Pervez Musharraf's [ Images ] nine-year reign as army chief and Pakistani President unfolded:

• October 7, 1998: Pervez Musharraf appointed as army chief by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif [ Images ], superseding several senior officers.
• May 1999: Kargil [ Images ] intrusion takes place. Sharif later orders Musharraf to withdraw Pakistani troops under US pressure.
• October 12, 1999: Musharraf overthrows his mentor Sharif in a bloodless coup.
• May 13, 2000: Supreme Court validates coup.
• June 20, 2001: Musharraf appoints himself President, stays as army chief.
• April 30, 2002: Musharraf wins controversial national referendum to continue as President for a five-year term.
• December 14 and 25: Musharraf survives two assassination attempts plotted by Al-Qaeda [ Images ].
• January 2004: Musharraf and then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee [ Images ] agree to a peace dialogue.
• December 30, 2004: Musharraf goes back on his pledge to step down as army chief. He secures support of Parliament to stay on in the powerful post till 2007.
• October 6, 2007: Parliament elects Musharraf as President for a fresh five-year term.
• October 18, 2007: Former Pakistan premier and Pakistan People's Party leader Benazir Bhutto [ Images ] returns from exile.
• November 3, 2007: Musharraf imposes state of emergency and suspends Constitution. Judges of the Supreme Court, who were set to rule on the legality of his election, are sacked.
• November 25, 2007: Sharif returns from exile.
• November 28, 2007: Under domestic and international pressure, Musharraf doffs uniform, becomes a civilian President.
• December 15, 2007: State of emergency lifted.
• December 27, 2007: Benazir Bhutto assassinated during an election rally.
• February 18, 2008: Landmark general elections bring Musharraf opponents Pakistan People's Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz to power.
• August 7, 2008: Ruling coalition leaders announce plans to seek Musharraf's impeachment in Parliament.
• August 18, 2008: Musharraf announces resignation.