Remembering 16 Dec,71- A forgotten Past-II
- Legal Framework Order(LFO)
After the cancellation of 1962’s constitution, Yahya needed some system to hold new democratic elections and for this purpose Legal Framework Order [LFO] was introduced. LFO which was officially called Legal Framework Order 1970 consisted of following..
The National Assembly was to consist of 313 seats, including 13 seats reserved for women. Women were also allowed to contest the elections from general seats. The distribution of seats was to be as follows:
East Pakistan: 162 general and 7 reserved seats
Punjab: 82 general and 3 reserved seats
Sindh: 27 general and 1 reserved seat
N. W. F. P.: 18 general and 1 reserved seat
Baluchistan: 4 general and 1 reserved seat
Centrally Administered Tribal Areas: 7 general seats
- General Election 1970
The election of 1970 was the first general election after its creation in 1947. Pakistan after its creation was hijacked by military rulers and people of Pakistan never got a chance to elect the leader of their own will. A three-member election commission was setup and Justice Abdul Sattar was the first chief election commissioner of Pakistan. The primary task of this new commission was the enrollment of new votes in both factions and according to final list of voters. There were 56,941,500 registered voters in Pakistan out of which 31,211,220 were in EP and 25,730,280 in WP. 199 returning officers were appointed country wide for national and provincial elections and 24 parties participated in it. In east, Mujeeb’s Awami league was emerged as the main party and it attracted the people of that region due to 6-points agenda while in West Mr.Z.A.Bhutto who had established his separate party after having difference with Ayub Khan over 65 war issue, emerged as the biggest democratic leader of Pakistan and his party which had slogan “Roti Kapra aur Makaan” [Food, clothing and shelter] attracted the masses. A total of 1579 candidates participated in elections. Awami League nominated 170 candidates out of them 162 were in East Pakistan.
According to results, Awami League emerged as the single biggest party in NA by earning 160 seats. It also won 288 out of 300 seats in East Pakistan in provincial election while earned not a single seat in West Pakistan. PPP earned 81 out of 138 seats which were reserved for Pakistan. Mujeeb’s party by laws was in condition to make govt in National Assembly and introduce a new constitution. ZA Bhutto refused to accept the victory of Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and proposed the silly idea of two PMs in both wings, this created lots of anger in the country and tension kept mounted on both sides. Yahya met both ZA Bhutto and Mujeeb in Dhaka to decide the future of Pakistan. Unfortunately talks failed and Mujeeb finally called a nation wide strike.
- The Separation
Above mentioned things clear lots of confusion about the background of the separation but this was not the end. In 1970, Bhola Cyclone struck the coast of Bangladesh which claimed around half of millions of lives. The leaders in West Pakistan didn’t pay attention and never made a visit to express the sympathy for victims. This was a plus point for Mujeeb’s party and Outer world experienced a “Step Brother” attitude of West Pakistan.
- Mujeeb’s 7th March Speech
On March 7, 1971, Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rahman gave a speech at Racecourse Ground. In this speech, he proposed further four points for National Assembly Meeting on March 25. The points were:
1. The immediate lifting of martial law.
2. Immediate withdrawal of all military personnel to their barracks.
3. An inquiry into the loss of life.
4. Immediate transfer of power to the elected representative of the people before the assembly meeting March 25.
According to Wikipedia:
He urged “his people” to turn every house into a fort of resistance. He closed his speech saying, “The struggle this time is for our freedom. The struggle this time is for our independence.” This speech is considered the main event that inspired the nation to fight for their independence.
- Operation Searchlight
The operation was started on night of 25th march and motive behind this operation to crush Bengal force by imposing military operation [Same tactic is still being used by Pakistan Army].
On the other note it was also noted that great number of Bengalis were killed by Pakistan Army, Bengali women and girls were raped brutally by Pakistani Army. I might not agree with the figure given by Bengal sources that thousands of women/girls were raped but I also know that Pakistani Army is not a group of saint officers and Chapter 1 and 2 of Hamood-ur-Rahman report did admit that Bengalis were raped and anti-WP govt element were brutally murdered by West Pakistan Army. I wish I could deny such allegations and could declare my entire Army ‘Holy’ if I would not have experienced 1992 and then 1995 operation in Karachi and recent killings in Balochistan, Bajorh and Dargai when Pakistan Army attacked missiles on their own people.
- Mukti Bahanis
Actually what I read, it was actually spread at that time that Mukti Bahanis were Mujeeb’s brain child while they were actually young Bengalis who were being led by Col(R) Atau; Ghani Usmani. That is other thing that unarmed East Pakistani soldiers who were forced to surrender infront of West Pakistani army joined the Mukti Bahani Force to take revenge from West Pakistan. I don’t know what “Mukti Bahni” actually means but I know that Mukti is referred to “to get rid of” in Hindi language. In simple language, we can call them freedom fighters of Bengalis or East Pakistan resident.
- The War and Indian Intervention(Fall of Dhaka)
India had best chance to take advantage of the situation and taken revenge of 1965 war so they did. The war which was started by West Pakistan on 25th March was ended by Indians and Mukti Bahani force. There was a clear disturbance among Pakistani top officers and they were not ready for such intense situation after the 65 war. The use of modern USSR weaponry of that time and accompanying with Mukti Bahani forces left Pakistan Army no where in the whole scenario. On December 16, 1971, formal surrender in East Pakistan was conveyed in front of UN which was accepted. 45,000 troops as well as civilians were taken as POW. 
Gen. Niazi surrendered all forces to Indian General Arora. The text of Instrument of surrender is given below:
The PAKISTAN Eastern Command agree to surrender all PAKISTAN Armed Forces in BANGLA DESH to Lieutenant-General JAGJIT SINGH AURORA, General Officer Commanding in Chief of the Indian and BANGLA DESH forces in the Eastern Theatre. This surrender includes all PAKISTAN land, air and naval forces as also all para-military forces and civil armed forces. These forces will lay down their arms and surrender at the places where they are currently located to the nearest regular troops under the command of Lieutenant- General JAGJIT SINGH AURORA.
The PAKISTAN Eastern Command shall come under the orders of Lieutenant-General JAGJIT SINGH AURORA as soon as this instrument has been signed. Disobedience of orders will be regarded as a breach of the surrender terms and will be dealt with in accordance with the accepted laws and usages of war. The decision of Lieutenant-General JAGJIT SINGH AURORA will be final, should any doubt arise as to the meaning or interpretation of the surrender terms.
Lieutenant- General JAGJIT SINGH AURORA gives a solemn assurance that personnel who surrender will be treated with dignity and respect that soldiers are entitled to in accordance with the provisions of the GENEVA Convention and guarantees the safety and well-being of all PAKISTAN military and para-military forces who surrender. Protection will be provided to foreign nationals, ethnic minorities and personnel of WEST PAKISTAN origin by the forces under the command of Lieutenant- General JAGJIT SINGH AURORA.
Signed:
(JAGJIT SINGH AURORA) Lieutenant-General General Officer Commanding in Chief Indian and BANGLA DESH Forces in the Eastern Theatre
(AMIR ABDULLAH KHAN NIAZI) Lieutenant-General Martial Law Administrator Zone B and Commander Eastern Command (PAKISTAN)
16 December 1971″
Fall of Dhaka had taken place and East Pakistan had become Bangladesh. Beharis who were against independent and lived over there started experiencing an era of miserable life. They were promised by Pakistani govt that they would be welcome in Pakistan but till now after 35 years, they have been experiencing a miserable life. Infact it is their 3rd generation who have been suffering. MQM played dirty politics in the name of “Mehsoor-e-Pakistan” but they have done nothing yet rather they got busy in other shitty things.
- After 35 Years
If I look back and compare the situation with current Pakistani politics and policies, I hardly find any difference. Pakistan Army is still playing a big role in Pakistani politics and misusing it. Power is still in hand of a single person and again unfortunately he is a military dictator. Smaller provinces are still being neglected while their resources are being enjoyed by Fedral Govt[Read Punjab]. Whether the issue of Kalabagh or recent island controvesy of Karachi, I see full involvement of Punjab anyway. The military force is still being used against Pakistanis by imposing different excuses and allegations. In short, we are still on loser side.
- My conclusion
What I see today that things have not changed yet. Punjab still holds main machineries of Pakistani government and other provinces are not happy with Punjab’s ignorant attitude. As I said earlier that I didn’t exist at that time so I have to believe in what was said by others. Therefore I have tried my best to put figures and original text in front of others rather giving the interpretation of either side. When I see figures and original verdicts, I am forced to admit that yes we did mistake at our end and we are still doing it. One can say that I was not at that time but I DO exist now and can see how same politics is being played against other provinces by politicians and Pakistan Army. When I watched the first match between Pakistan and Bangladesh in 2nd last world cup in which BD defeated Pakistan, I could see the hatred on their faces against Pakistanis. They hate us and from all the condition and things they experienced, they have right to do so but I tell my BD friends and readers that this was not our fault. Whatever happened, it was done by our rulers of that time. Today we are hated by Afghans, our tribal men and even Americans.
All I expect those future generations of ours would come closer to each other and fill the gap which was created by the morons of that time. BD is doing great and I wish them best of luck. I know you guys were labeled as “Machi Wala” and “Patson wala” but you didn’t listen others and kept following your path. Keep it up and May Allah bless you. Ameen.
Every nation suffers so Pakistani suffered too. Japan was attacked and nuked by American. They did forget past in a way that they didn’t whine about it but they didn’t forget their past as that bloody accident kept them motivated to work hard and defeat USA in field of technology and economy and the world saw that how American become dependant of Japan in past and now China. I remember that every Tom, Dick and Harry was writing about Hudood Ordinance violence and about Abdul Salam that how he was offended due to his “religion”. We are such an ignorant nation that we totally forgot that we lost Dr.Yunus due to our mistakes, not only Mr. Yunus but millions of talented guys and girls who become victim of dirty politics. It’s silly that we still dream that Bangladesh would become part of Pakistan one day. It’s as foolish as some Indian think that Pakistan would be part of India in future. Split hurts I don’t deny but those nations who suffer should be taken care of and the nations who lose their part spend a little bit of time to ponder the reasons behind it. Cursing to Bengalis of Bangladesh by Pakistanis and cursing Pakistanis by Indians will not give any concrete solution. Pakistan is not a part of India and India must clear his mind rather coming up with several lame conspiracies and allegations. Pakistan MUST also realize that they lost East Pakistan, deal with it. Instead of cursing others, we should curse ourselves and admit our mistakes but it seems that Pakistan has not learnt any lesson at all. See blaming things like India did this or that is not going to hide our sins. I have often heard things that “It’s good that Bengalis were sent away and not part of Pakistan”. I don’t understand it. In this way we would forget if we lose some other part of Pakistan? Actually we should do some thing for our short memory which just follow “Forget the rest, take the next” approach.
I can just wish, pray and hope that Pakistani politics would learn something from past and STOP repeating same mistakes like Yahya who was another dictator. It’s so shame that Pakistani govt still has not made an official apology on behalf of Pakistan Army and politicians of that time.
It’s easy to design a new flag of a region but it’s damn difficult to keep a nation united. Hope current and future Pakistani governments will not make any silly mistake which cause the design of a new flag of a new state. Ameen.
References:
Wikipedia
Hamood-ur Rahman Report
Story of Pakistan
Images Credit:
Story of Pakistan
Wikipedia
Tagged:1971 War,Bangladesh,Pakistani Politics
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December 26th, 2006 at 11:25 am
It’s as foolish as some Indian think that Pakistan would be part of India in future.
I smiled at this line and for once I called my self foolish. Its really obvious for many Indians like me to think of this once in a while. None of my ancestors belonged to Pakistani land. But I still, sometime, wish if we were one nation. I don’t look at 2 world cups but I look at what all good thing we could have with us. Not only the land but the people.
Good Research daddu.