TIMELINE: Pakistan's tumultuous politics

(Reuters) - Pakistan's ruling coalition split apart on Monday after wrangling over the presidency and deposed judges, infighting critics say distracted the government from effectively tackling rising militant violence and a sagging economy.

The two parties that had led the coalition will now put forward separate candidates in a presidential election on September 6, when the nuclear-armed country's two-chambered parliament and four provincial assemblies will vote in a replacement for Pervez Musharraf.

Firm U.S. ally Musharraf resigned last week in the face of an impeachment threat from the coalition.

Here is a timeline showing the events that led to the downfall of Musharraf, who seized power in a bloodless coup in December 1999 and became president in 2001, and highlights of the political jockeying since:

March 9, 2007 - Musharraf suspends Supreme Court Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry over allegations of misconduct. Lawyers rally around the top judge and Musharraf's popularity plummets.

July 10 - Musharraf orders troops to storm the Red Mosque in Islamabad to crush a Taliban-style movement there. At least 105 people are killed. Militant attacks and suicide bombings follow.

July 20 - Supreme Court reinstates Chief Justice Chaudhry, dealing a blow to Musharraf's authority.

July 27 - Musharraf meets former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in Abu Dhabi for inconclusive talks on how to move the country towards a civilian-led democracy. Bhutto demands Musharraf step down as army chief.

Sept 10 - Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is arrested at Islamabad airport on his arrival from exile, despite the Supreme Court clearing his return. He is deported to Saudi Arabia.

Oct 2 - Musharraf's government announces it will drop graft charges against Bhutto, clearing the way for her return.

Oct 6 - Musharraf wins a presidential vote by legislators. Supreme Court holds off confirming legality of vote.

Oct 19 - Suicide bomber tries to assassinate Bhutto in Karachi as she returns from eight years of exile.

Nov 2 - Supreme Court meets to decide if Musharraf was eligible to stand for re-election while still army chief.

Nov 3 - Musharraf imposes emergency rule, detaining thousands of opposition politicians and lawyers.

Nov 11 - Musharraf sets parliamentary elections for January 8.

Nov 13 - Bhutto placed under house arrest for a week in Lahore, hours before planned march against emergency rule. Bhutto says Musharraf must quit as president.

Nov 15 - Musharraf appoints Senate chairman Mohammadmian Soomro to head a caretaker line-up to oversee elections.

Nov 22 - Commonwealth suspends Pakistan.

Nov 25 - Sharif returns from exile.

Nov 28 - Tearful Musharraf hands command of the army to General Ashfaq Kayani.

Nov 29 - Musharraf is sworn in as civilian leader.

Dec 15 - Musharraf lifts state of emergency, restores constitution.

Dec 27 - Bhutto is assassinated in a gun and bomb attack.

Jan 2 - Election delayed from January 8 to February 18 because of disturbances after Bhutto's assassination.

Feb 18 - Resounding election victory for parties led by Bhutto's widower Asif Ali Zardari (Pakistan People's Party) and Sharif (Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz)).

March 9 - Sharif says he will join Zardari in coalition hostile to Musharraf.

Aug 7 - Ruling coalition agrees on plan to impeach Musharraf.

Aug 16 - Ruling coalition prepares impeachment charges against Musharraf for violation of constitution and misconduct.

Aug 18 - Musharraf resigns after nearly nine years in power.

Aug 22 - Presidential election announced for September 6.

Aug 23 - PPP says it will nominate Zardari for president.

Aug 25 - Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (N) pulls out of coalition and names a former chief justice, Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui, as its candidate.

(Writing by David Cutler and Gillian Murdoch; additional writing by Jijo Jacob and Jerry Norton)