X-D Sub-Topic Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto 1971-77 8.4
X-D Sub-Topic Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto 1971-77 8.4
X-D Sub-Topic Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto 1971-77 8.4
SLO # 8.4.1
DISCUSS THE REASON BEHIND ZULFIQAR ALI BHUTTO COMING
TO POWER; (U)
BACKGROUND
The immediate outcome of the War of 1971 between India and Pakistan was the
change of government in Pakistan and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the majority party leader of
West Pakistan assumed power on December 20, 1971.
The War of 1971 resulted in the dismemberment of East Pakistan. Pakistan had lost
almost 54% of its population and 93,000 of its soldiers and civilians were in Indian
possession.
Therefore, the new government’s initial challenges were to come out the state of
emergency and resolve the matter of POW’s (prisoners of war) as soon as possible.
India and Pakistan were in direct contact with each other through diplomatic channels.
Finally, it was agreed that the talks between Pakistani President Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto
and Indian Prime Minister Indra Gandhi would open on June 28, 1972.
The summit conference between Bhutto and Indra Gandhi opened in Simla on the
decided time. The summit conference was held from June 28 to July 2, 1972.