When India gained independence in 1947, it was split into two Pakistans. West Pakistan, which is now recognized as Pakistan, and East Pakistan, which is now known as Bangladesh. In quantitative terms, the distance between these two Pakistans was more than 2000 kilometres, but in cultural terms, it was considerably greater.

Field Marshal Ayub Khan handed over the leadership of Pakistan to General Yahya Khan in 1969, and elections were held the following year. These were Pakistan’s first elections essentially as an independent country. The majority supported Rahman in the 1970 elections, an