Creation of Bangladesh in 1971 ( O Level Pakistan studies)
Creation
of Bangladesh in 1971
Q. Why was East Pakistan separated from West Pakistan in 1971?
Political:
The general election of 1970 saw the Awami League win a majority in East
Pakistan. The League wanted a federal form of government, which would leave
East Pakistan to control everything except defense and foreign policy. It
wanted a separate currency and fiscal policy with its own taxation. It wanted
to negotiate its own trade agreements with other countries and have its own
armed forces. In effect they wanted separation from Pakistan, which was becoming
more evident due to the perceived differences between the two. Political
parties who emerged in both parts believed in regionalism rather than national
sovereignty.
However Ayub Khan rejected the demands of the
Six Points of the Awami League. Its leader Mujib-ur Rehman was imprisoned. This
caused further discontent and separation began to look inevitable. Economic:
East Pakistan was a long way from the western half and most of the wealth of
Pakistan was concentrated in the west not only of individuals but also in terms
of government expenditure. This caused great resentment in East Pakistan. A
weaker industrial base and a climate ravaged by regular floods led to even more
depression in this area, which caused further discontent. Also the eastern
province saw little return for the wealth created by the growing of jute in the
area. Again all the benefits went to the west.
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