TIMELINE-Sharif and Zardari join forces

(Reuters) - Former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif said on Sunday he would join the late Benazir Bhutto's party in a coalition, raising the prospect of a government hostile to President Pervez Musharraf.

Here is a chronology of political events in the past year.

March 9, 2007 - Musharraf suspends Supreme Court Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry on 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. About 105 people are killed. Wave of 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 premier Benazir Bhutto in Abu Dhabi to discuss moving towards a civilian-led democracy. Bhutto sets conditions including that Musharraf step down as army chief.

Sept 10 - Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister Musharraf ousted in 1999, is arrested at Islamabad airport, despite having the Supreme Court's clearance to return from exile.

Oct 2 - Musharraf designates a successor as army chief. Government says it is dropping corruption charges against Bhutto, clearing the way for her return.

Oct 6 - Musharraf wins the most votes in a presidential election by the National and provincial assemblies.