Separation of East and West Pakistan ( O Level Pakistan studies)

 Separation of East and West Pakistan

Q. Explain the reasons of separation of East and West Pakistan in 1971.

There were several reasons of separation of east and West Pakistan. Most of those lay in the time of Ayub khan. He himself has written that there were majority people in West Pakistan who considered their culture to be the superior ones than east Pakistanis. This thing did not go unnoticed by Bengalis. Even the representation in the government was given less to them and more to west Pakistanis. Judiciary, civil service and army seats were also mostly in the hands of West Pakistanis. There all things caused resentment and negative sensation in east Pakistanis against west Pakistanis and they started raising the slogan to separate east and West Pakistan.

Pakistan's most major export was jute which was mostly produced in East Pakistan. It was also blamed by east Pakistanis that whatever money or foreign exchange was earned in result of jute export was mostly spent on the development of West Pakistan instead of East Pakistan. It was also blamed that most money was spent on defense which was on the border between India and West Pakistan and nothing to do with the development and defense of East Pakistan. Most east Pakistanis started propagating that as there was no border between India and East Pakistan, jute money was not to be spent on the army in West Pakistan. East Pakistanis wished to separate and felt that it will help in their economic development.

Establishment of Awami League and popularity of Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rehman kept strengthening the idea of separation. Six point formula of Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rehman was becoming popular in East Pakistan. This formula demanded public governments separate capital, separate army, separate currency, foreign affairs and trade links. If all these things were separated it mean two separate countries were going to be established. This idea was voted mainly by East Pakistan in 1971 general elections and Awami League won 160 out of allocated 162 seats. This overwhelming conquest confirmed that East Pakistan wanted to separate everything they were not happy living and sharing power as well as resources with their West Pakistani Brothers.

Political parties, army generals Yahya Khan did not want Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rehman as the Prime Minister of the country. They wanted to negotiate with Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rehman as to share the political power with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto or leave the government.  Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rehman rejected both the ideas and clearly mentioned that he wanted complete authority as prime minister. There were rounds of negotiation in Dhakka but all in vain. Yahya khan appointed general Tikka khan to deal the situation with high handedness. Sheikh and hundreds of his workers were arrested some workers were killed. It caused a wide spread hatred against army from West Pakistan. Violent procession increased and situation went out of hands.                                                                                                                             

 Mukti Bahini was a violent movement instigating East Pakistan to take freedom. There were evidences that it was an Indian movement designed for the separation of East and West Pakistan. This movement was working with the help of such teachers and lawyers who were given the responsibility of injecting hatred against West Pakistanis in the minds of East Pakistani students and common men. Separation movement was actively launched by the school, College and university students. Mukti Bahini with its students took over as a rebel force in the area of Jessore. India was constantly financing and favouring Mukti Bahini. Tension further increased when East Pakistan announced the members of its provincial government.

India’s constant interference had made it inevitable to declare war against them. On 3rd December 1971 Pakistan air force launched an attack on Northern border of India from where Mukti Bahini was getting all support. India immediately reacted from air, ground and water simultaneously. Within two weeks India was able to separate East and West Pakistan, 9000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered as they were ordered by General Niazi and due to the favour of East Pakistanis for Indian army instead of Pakistani army. In Dhakka Mukti Bahini carried out massacre of anyone suspected of having collaboration with Pakistan army. Finally, Awami League’s government with Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rehman as Prime Minister established in independent Bangladesh in December 1971.

                                         

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