Causes of the Separation of East Pakistan

Political system in Pakistan broke down in 1971 because of output failure arising out
of dissension and conflict among East and West Pakistan.

Though separation of East Pakistan occurred in 1971, the separation’s elements had
begun to work with the emergence of Pakistan in 1947. Following were the main
causes of the separation of East Pakistan.

1. Hindu Influence

The 14% Hindu population had full control over the economy of East Pakistan. They
were better educated than the native Bengali Muslims. They owned press and mass
media. At First, the Hindus were the members of the Indian National Congress but
after partition they founded their own organization, Pakistan National Congress
(PAC). The members of PAC were, in fact, the political agents ofIndia in East
Pakistan.

2. Failure of Muslim League leadership in East Pakistan

The Cabinet did not pay due attention towards the problems of the people, hence its
capability became zero in the eyes of people. The selfish politicians fought among
themselves for the lust of chair.

The principal leaders and groups representing East Bengal in the Muslim League
came from upper-class, land-owning, Urdu speaking families of Dhaka or the
mercantile group of Calcutta. Soon after the creation of Pakistan, the conflict between
those who claimed to represent popular and more radical factors in Bengal and those
more conservative elements, began.

3. The Conflict over Language

The Bengalis took processions in favour of their Bengali language even in the life
time of Quaid-e-Azam. Although, Bengali was adopted as one of the two state
languages, Governor Munim Khan banned the broad cast of Tagots songs or poems
over Dhaka Radio and prevented the imports of the Bengali books from Calcutta.

4. Unity of Bengali Muslims and Hindus

To establish majority on Pak-legislature, they had to unite with their fellow Bengali
Hindus. Therefore, the man like H.S. Sehrwardy was a consistent advocate of joint
electorates.

5. The Delay in Constitution Making Process

The delay in Constitution making process gave rise to suspicions and

misunderstandings between the people of two halves. The population of East
Pakistan was 56%. The Bengalis demanded their representation according to the
percentage of population in the national assembly.

6. Presidential Form of Government

A parliamentary system could have at least partially offset West Pakistan dominance
in the civil and military services. Again the same mistake was made. Instead of opting
for loose Confederate Form of Government, the power elite decided in favour of
highly centralized presidential system. The opposition from East Pakistan was intense
and un-equivocal for progressive increase in the amount of autonomy.

7. Six Point Formula of Sh. Mujeeb

The Awami League view was supported by 75% of the electorate in East
Pakistan who voted in the elections in 1970.

Pakistan shall be Federation grooming full autonomy on the basis of 6 Points to each
of Federating units.

i. The character of Government shall be Federal and Parliamentary. The

representation in the Federal legislature shall be on the basis of population.
ii. The Federal Government shall be responsible only for Defence and Foreign
Affairs.
iii. There shall be two separate currencies mutually or freely convertible in each wing
for each region.
iv. Fiscal Policy shall be the responsibility of the Federating units.
v. Separate accounts of foreign exchange earning of each of the federating units.
vi. The units shall be empowered to maintain a Para-military fore in order to
contribute towards national security.

These were interpreted by West Pakistan as designed to bring about the disintegration
of the country.

8. Role of Ruling Elite

1) Civil Service
2) Military Hierarchy

Their clear ascendancy as a ruling group had long been established, particularly since
military coup of Ayub in 1958.

· This group made all major decisions in terms of economic and defence policies.
· East Pakistan bitterly complained that there were few East Pakistani officers at
highest posts of the civil service. Until 1969 all the higher officers were from West
Pakistan or had emigrated from Muslim minority areas of India.
· Pakistan Army was recruited from 4 districts of Northern Punjab (Rawalpindi,
Cambellpur, Jehlum and Gujrat ) and two districts of NWFP (Peshawar and Kohat).
60% Army consisted of Punjabi and 35% Pakhtoon Jawans.
· The Bengalis were still considered non-martial race.
· Separation between Ruling elite from the majority of population.
Pakistan bureaucratic and military elite were not only separated from the majority of
their population who lived in East Pakistan, but they were also separated in both
social and regional terms even from the people of regions like Sindh, Balochistan and
Frontier.

9. Economic Disparity Between East and West Pakistan

· The West Pakistan elite favoured the policies of economic growth of the West
Pakistan.
· The policy of industrialization through the encouragement of private sector dates
back to 1948.
· Most of lucrative import licences were given to the West Pakistan.
· Share of East Pakistan was about 26% of total investment (Public and Private)
during the First Five Years Plan (1955-1960). Total revenue expenditure in East
Pakistan was 2.5 billion as compared to 8.9 billion in West Pakistan.
· The wave of resentment against this disparity had been rising since 1954 elections.
But no drastic and significant change was made in policies. This resulted into bitter-
opposition and resentment towards the central government.
· The major factor responsible for slower growth of East Pakistan was agriculture.
· Doctrine that economic inequalities were necessary for rapid economic growth of
the country.
· 22 families controlled over the economy of the entire country.
· 66% Native industrial assets.
· 80% banking assets.
· 79% Insurance assets.
· Political system of Pakistan could not cope with the stresses and strains generated by
native economic policies and so eventually broke down.

10. The Failure in the Enforcement of Legal Framework Order of 1970.

· This order was drawn up to provide a basis for the elections for the creation of
National and Provincial assemblies and for the drafting of a constitution.
· National Assembly had to complete the task of framing a constitution within 120
days.
· After the original failure of the NA to meet in spring of 1971, modifications were
introduced into LFO, relieving the assembly of the responsibility of framing a
constitution but conferring powers to amend constitution.
· General Yahya Khan failed to enforce legal frame work order, and the result was the
political unrest between the 2 parts of the country.

11. The War of Power Between Bhutto and Mujeeb

The Awami League, by virtue of its over-whelming majority in election, was entitled
to establish its government, but Mr. Z.A. Bhutto having the patronage from General
Yahya Khan boycotted the session of National Assembly at Dhaka, which was
postponed by General Yahya Khan. Mr. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman alleged Yahya Khan
with partiality and began to agitate the people for civil war.

12. Military Operation in East Pakistan

· Mr. Mujeeb refused to go to Islamabad.
· His home became centre of all policies and administrative affairs of East Pakistan.
· On March 23, 1971, a lot of West Pakistanis were massacred and Bangladesh Flag
was hoisted instead of Pakistani Flag. The Pakistan Day was celebrated as the
Resistance Day.
· General Tikka Khan was made the Governor of East Pakistan. He successfully
crushed the anti-government elements, but could not manage the affairs properly due
to the non-cooperation of Bengali bureaucracy who were responsible for the revolt.
· The military operation brought inexpressible miseries and sufferings to the Bengalis.
The result was that Central Government deprived herself of the public support and
sympathies.

13. Hijacking of Indian Plan to Lahore on Jan 30, 1971

· Hijacking if the aircraft Ganga was arranged by the Indian Intelligence Agencies as
the culmination of a series of actions taken by the Indian Government.
· Incident occurred at a time when talks were in progress between the leaders of
Awami League and PPP for the resolution of differences.
· India banned Pakistani flights over its territory to disrupt communications between
two halves and strengthened the separatist tendencies.

14. The Intrigues of the Super-Powers

Pakistan was an intimate friend of China but the super powers

like America and Russia wanted to terrorize China by surrounding it on all sides. This
was not possible in case of united Pakistan. TheUSA not only encouraged Israel,
provided arms to India but also forbade Saudi Arabia and Jordan to supply arms
to Pakistan. The USA did not care for the defence treaty of 1959 (SENTO), by
whichAmerica was bound to help Pakistan in case of foreign aggression.

15. Indra Gandhi’s Successful Tour of Europe and USA

Before military invasion, Mrs. Indra Gandhi, the then Prime Minister if India, toured
Europe and America, got aid for the rehabilitation of refugees from East Pakistan and
surety from US not to aid Pakistan in case of Indian invasion. She further tarnished
the image of military dictatorship of Pakistan by doing propaganda against it.

16. Military Invasion of India

After winning political battle, the Indian Government began to send sabotagers
into East Pakistan under the title of Mukti Bahni. The insurgents created a situation
favourable to the Indian invasion. Pakistan Army fought gallantly but due to poor
supply line, Pakistan Army had to surrender.

17. Misbehaviour of Pakistani Delegation at UN

Poland presented a resolution in UN for the cease-fire but it was torn into pieces by
Mr. Zulifqar Ali Bhutto, and he refused to accept cease-fire proposal. This paved the
way for the separation of East Pakistan.