Maryam Mastoor
Maryam Mastoor is a Research Officer at Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad.
DOI: http://DOI Number
Keywords: Pakistan, Bangladesh, dismembered, ideological vacuum, leader, structural flaw, autocracy, political system
Abstract
On December 16, 1971, Pakistan was divided and Bangladesh was formed, previously, which was East Pakistan. There are several accounts of the event. The majority of literature has concentrated on “what” occurred in 1971. How many people died? Who is at fault? The topic of “why” has, however, received little attention or effort. Why was Pakistan divided up? This essay will try to provide an answer to this important subject and identify systemic faults in Pakistan’s political structure that ultimately contributed to this terrible human catastrophe. Three components make up the document. In the first section, it is discussed how East Pakistan’s quest for acceptance and identity arose out of a national ideological void. After the tragic death of Quaid-e-Azam in 1948, there was no national leader capable of charting a suitable route for the country and ensuring national cohesiveness. Confusion over Pakistan’s foundational philosophy generated a structural fault from the start, eventually leading to a procrustean rule in Pakistan that tragically neglected the variety contained inside its borders. The second segment examines the process of instilling authoritarianism in Pakistan’s political system. Autocracy, which was thought to suit the ‘genius of the people of Pakistan,’ led to its disintegration. Finally, the final portion reflects on the events that signalled the collapse of an unified Pakistan.
First Published
December 25, 2014
How to Cite
Maryam Mastoor, “The Road to Pakistan’s Dismemberment: 1971,” Regional Studies 33, no.1 (Winter 2014-15): 64-99, https://regionalstudies.com.pk/wp/article/the-road-to-pakistans-dismemberment-1971/
Issue
Volume 33, Issue 1