Loss of East Pakistan

In 1970, Pakistan's first general election was held, for a National Assembly that would write a new constitution. The East Pakistani party, called the Awami League and led by Sheikh Mujibur (Mujib) Rahman, won the majority of seats. Mujib announced that the new constitution would have to give regional autonomy to the East Pakistanis, or Bengalis, as they preferred to call themselves. President Yahya Khan postponed the meeting of the assembly, and East Pakistan threatened to secede.

In 1971 the Pakistani army launched an attack against East Pakistan. The Bengalis immediately proclaimed East Pakistan the independent nation of Bangladesh. Pakistani forces during the following months killed an estimated one million Bengalis. Communities, factories, and crops were destroyed. Some 10 million Bengalis fled to India.

India began assisting the Bangladesh guerrillas, and soon warfare erupted between India and Pakistan. In only 14 days India won victory, and East Pakistan became independent Bangladesh. President Yahya Khan resigned and was succeeded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, a civilian. A peace treaty with India was signed in 1972. Also in 1972, Pakistan withdrew from the British Commonwealth.