East Pakistan was a significant geopolitical entity that existed for a mere sixteen years, from 1955 to 1971, fundamentally shaping the history of the Indian subcontinent. Established as a province of Pakistan under the controversial One Unit Policy, it was a renaming of the former East Bengal province. This region, distinct in its culture and geography, is now recognized as the independent nation of Bangladesh, while its historical counterpart, West Bengal, remains a state within India. Geographically, East Pakistan shared extensive land borders with India to its west, north, and east, and a smaller border with Burma (Myanmar) to the southeast, all complemented by a vital coastline along the Bay of Bengal.

The inhabitants of East Pakistan were widely known as "Pakistani Bengalis," a designation that served to differentiate them from the Bengalis residing in India's West Bengal, often referred to as "Indian Bengalis." This linguistic and cultural distinction underscored the unique identity of the region within the Pakistani federation, despite sharing a common heritage with West Bengal.

The Genesis of East Pakistan and Early Political Landscape

The renaming of East Bengal to East Pakistan was a direct outcome of the One Unit Scheme, initiated by Pakistani Prime Minister Mohammad Ali of Bogra in 1955. This policy aimed to integrate the diverse provinces of West Pakistan into a single administrative unit, mirroring the existing single provincial status of East Pakistan. While ostensibly intended to foster national unity and streamline administration, the policy was widely perceived, particularly in East Pakistan, as a means to consolidate power in West Pakistan and diminish the political influence of the Bengali majority.

Significant constitutional changes followed, with the Constitution of Pakistan of 1956 marking a pivotal moment by transforming the Dominion of Pakistan from a monarchy into an Islamic Republic. During this nascent period of the republic, Bengali political figures achieved prominent national roles. H. S. Suhrawardy, a distinguished Bengali politician, served as the Prime Minister of Pakistan between 1956 and 1957. Concurrently, Iskander Mirza, a Bengali bureaucrat, made history as the first President of Pakistan. Their brief tenures at the helm of the new republic highlighted a fleeting period of Bengali representation at the highest levels of national governance.

Military Intervention and the Erosion of Democracy

The political stability of the new republic proved fragile. The 1958 Pakistani coup d'état dramatically altered the political trajectory, ushering in General Ayub Khan as the new strongman. Ayub Khan swiftly replaced President Iskander Mirza and embarked on a systematic crackdown on pro-democracy leaders and political activities across the country. His regime consolidated power, replacing the parliamentary system with a presidential one. In 1962, Ayub Khan enacted a new Constitution of Pakistan, which controversially ended universal adult suffrage. This was replaced by a system known as "Basic Democracies," where an electoral college of elected representatives (known as basic democrats) would elect the president and national and provincial assemblies, effectively limiting direct public participation in governance and further fueling political disillusionment, particularly in East Pakistan.

By 1966, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a charismatic and astute Bengali politician, emerged as the preeminent opposition leader, articulating the grievances and aspirations of East Pakistan. He launched the historic Six-Point Movement, a revolutionary political program demanding significant autonomy for East Pakistan within a federal structure. Key demands included a truly federal and parliamentary form of government, fiscal autonomy with separate currencies or separate fiscal accounts, regional control over foreign trade, the power to maintain paramilitary forces, and provincial self-sufficiency in defense. This movement rapidly galvanized the Bengali populace, becoming a powerful symbol of their struggle for self-determination and democracy against perceived West Pakistani dominance and economic exploitation.

The widespread discontent culminated in the mass uprising of 1969 in East Pakistan, fueled by economic disparities, political repression, and the controversial Agartala Conspiracy Case against Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The intensity of this movement significantly contributed to Ayub Khan's eventual overthrow. However, the democratic aspirations of the people were once again thwarted as another military general, Yahya Khan, usurped the presidency and imposed martial law, promising to restore democracy.

The 1970 Elections and the Path to Independence

In 1970, General Yahya Khan organized Pakistan's first-ever federal general election, widely regarded as a significant step towards restoring civilian rule. The election results, however, created an unprecedented political crisis. The Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, secured a landslide victory in East Pakistan, winning an absolute majority in the National Assembly of Pakistan, thereby earning the right to form the central government. In West Pakistan, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, emerged as the second-largest party nationally but held the majority of seats in the western wing.

The military junta and the leadership of the PPP, however, stalled in accepting the democratic mandate of the Awami League, refusing to transfer power. This refusal ignited a massive non-cooperation movement in East Pakistan, demanding the transfer of power to the elected representatives. On March 25, 1971, the Pakistani military launched a brutal crackdown known as "Operation Searchlight" to suppress the Bengali nationalist movement, initiating the devastating 1971 Bangladesh genocide. This act of extreme violence escalated the conflict, leading directly to the Bangladesh Liberation War. With critical military and diplomatic support from India, particularly during the decisive Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, East Pakistan successfully seceded, culminating in the birth of the independent state of Bangladesh on December 16, 1971.

Economy, Development, and Strategic Significance

East Pakistan's strategic location along the Bay of Bengal made it a geopolitically significant region. Its importance was recognized during the Cold War era, leading the Pakistani union to become a member of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), an international organization for collective defense aimed at preventing communism from gaining ground in the region. This membership underscored the perceived strategic value of Pakistan, including its eastern wing, to Western alliances.

Economically, East Pakistan faced significant challenges despite being a major contributor to Pakistan's foreign exchange earnings, primarily through its lucrative jute exports. While the economy of East Pakistan registered an average growth rate of 2.6% between 1960 and 1965, a substantial economic disparity existed between the two wings. The federal government disproportionately invested more funds and received a larger share of foreign aid in West Pakistan, even though East Pakistan consistently generated a major share of the nation's exports, leading to a sense of economic exploitation and contributing significantly to the political unrest.

Despite these disparities, President Ayub Khan's regime did implement notable industrialization projects in East Pakistan. Key infrastructure developments included:

• The construction of the Kaptai Dam in 1965, a significant hydroelectric power project on the Karnafuli River, aimed at boosting industrial output and providing irrigation.
• The establishment of the Eastern Refinery in Chittagong, a crucial facility for processing crude oil, enhancing the region's industrial capacity.
• A symbolic move to address regional grievances was the declaration of Dacca (now Dhaka) as the second capital of Pakistan. Plans were also initiated to make Dacca the permanent home of the national parliament. In a landmark architectural endeavor, the government commissioned renowned American architect Louis Kahn to design the majestic Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (National Assembly Complex) in Dacca, a project that would eventually be completed by the independent government of Bangladesh.

Legislative Body

The legislative functions of the territory were primarily carried out by the East Pakistan Provincial Assembly. This body, elected by the people of East Pakistan, played a crucial role in regional governance, though its powers were often circumscribed by the federal government and later, by military rule.

Frequently Asked Questions About East Pakistan

What was the One Unit Policy?

The One Unit Policy was a geopolitical program implemented by the Pakistani government in 1955, which merged the various provinces and states of West Pakistan into a single provincial unit. Simultaneously, the existing province of East Bengal was renamed East Pakistan. The policy aimed to simplify administration and create a parity between the two wings, but it was largely seen as an attempt to centralize power in West Pakistan and reduce the political strength of the Bengali majority.

Why did East Pakistan become Bangladesh?

East Pakistan became Bangladesh in 1971 due to a culmination of factors, including persistent political and economic discrimination by the West Pakistani-dominated federal government, suppression of Bengali language and culture, a decisive electoral victory by the Awami League in 1970 that was not honored, and a brutal military crackdown (Operation Searchlight) leading to the Bangladesh Liberation War and genocide. India's intervention in the conflict ultimately ensured the secession and independence of Bangladesh.

Who was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman?

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a pivotal Bengali politician and the founding father of Bangladesh. He led the Awami League, championed the Six-Point Movement for regional autonomy, and was instrumental in mobilizing the Bengali population against Pakistani rule. He is revered in Bangladesh as the "Father of the Nation" or "Bangabandhu" (Friend of Bengal).

What was the Six-Point Movement?

The Six-Point Movement, launched by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1966, was a charter of demands for significant constitutional reforms aimed at achieving greater autonomy for East Pakistan within Pakistan. It called for a truly federal system, fiscal independence, and the right for East Pakistan to maintain its own militia, among other demands, which were seen by the West Pakistani establishment as a precursor to secession.

What was the significance of the 1970 general election in Pakistan?

The 1970 general election was Pakistan's first federal general election and was intended to transition the country back to civilian rule. Its significance lies in the overwhelming victory of the Awami League in East Pakistan, giving them a clear mandate to form the national government. However, the refusal of the military junta and West Pakistani political leaders to accept these results led directly to the political crisis, civil disobedience, and ultimately the Bangladesh Liberation War.