Turmoil in Pakistan

Pakistan has suffered much political upheaval and even civil war since declaring itself an Islamic republic in 1956.

Internal strife is not new to the South Asian country, but it didn't attract international attention until Pakistan was thrust onto the front line of the global war on terror.

General Pervez Musharraf was president of Pakistan when al-Qaeda struck the United States on September 11, 2001. With the ruins still smoldering at Ground Zero in New York, he formed an alliance with Washington, vowing to help crush Taliban and al-Qaeda forces based in Pakistan's northern provinces.

That stance, combined with his autocratic governing style, led him to lose the support of many of his countrymen.

In March 2007, Musharraf suspended the chief justice of Pakistan's Supreme Court. He accused the judge of misconduct, but many saw the move as an effort to prevent any legal attempt to block the president's re-election.

The move sparked protests by lawyers and opposition politicians. Four months later, the Supreme Court ruled that Musharraf had acted illegally.

When he won a second presidential term in October 2007, the Supreme Court refused to confirm the election results. Musharraf responded by declaring emergency rule and suspending the constitution.

He lifted the state of emergency in mid-December, but parties loyal to him suffered a crushing defeat in parliamentary elections in February. When the two main opposition parties joined forces and began impeachment procedures against Musharraf, his days were numbered. He resigned on August 18, 2008.

The move ended his political career, but it didn't end the turbulence in Pakistan. Islamic insurgents are still active in the country and the bloodshed continues unabated.

Here's a look at incidents from the last two years.

Turmoil in Pakistan on Dipity.