Release of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Bhutto releases Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from Pakistani custody.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1971 in Pakistan
Explore 34 historical events and records for Pakistan in 1971.
Historical records for Pakistan in 1971
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 34 of 34 unique records.
34Unique records
1 of 1Page
28Named events on this page
9Named people on this page
8Places on this page
January
March
General Strike
A general strike follows the postponement of the elected National Assembly.
National Assembly Postponement
Yahya Khan postpones the National Assembly session, triggering mass protests in East Pakistan.
Operation Searchlight
The military launches a major operation against Bengali political opposition in East Pakistan.
Operation Searchlight
Yahya Khan's military government begins Operation Searchlight against Bengali nationalist forces in East Pakistan.
Operation Searchlight
Tikka Khan commands Pakistan's Eastern Command when Operation Searchlight begins in Dhaka.
Awami League
The Awami League's leadership backs Bangladesh's declaration of independence.
Declaration of Bangladesh
Bengali leaders declare Bangladesh independent as military operations begin in East Pakistan.
East Pakistan Crisis
The political crisis in East Pakistan escalates into armed conflict and a declaration of independence.
Eastern Command
Yahya Khan places Tikka Khan in authority in East Pakistan as the political crisis develops into armed conflict.
Resignation from Eastern Command
Sahibzada Yaqub Khan resigns his Eastern Command rather than carry out a military solution to the political crisis.
April
Diplomatic Protest
Pakistan protests India's support for the Bengali independence movement.
Diplomatic Protest
The government condemns Indian assistance to the emerging Bangladeshi state.
Eastern Command
A. A. K. Niazi assumes command of Pakistan's Eastern Command during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
Eastern Command Replacement
Tikka Khan is replaced in the Eastern Command as the conflict in East Pakistan intensifies.
November
East Pakistan War
Pakistan accuses Indian forces of direct intervention in East Pakistan.
December
Air Strikes on India
Pakistan launches air strikes against Indian airfields, widening the 1971 war.
Operation Chengiz Khan
Yahya Khan's government orders air strikes against Indian airfields as full-scale war begins on the western front.
War with India
Full-scale war begins between Pakistan and India after Pakistani air strikes.
Indian Recognition of Bangladesh
India formally recognizes Bangladesh during the Indo-Pakistani War.
Deputy Prime Minister
Yahya Khan appoints Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Deputy Prime Minister during the final war crisis.
Foreign Minister of Pakistan
Bhutto also assumes the foreign affairs portfolio in Yahya Khan's government.
1971 War
The eastern war ends with the surrender of Pakistan's Eastern Command.
Surrender of Eastern Command
Niazi signs the instrument of surrender for Pakistani forces in East Pakistan at Dhaka.
Ceasefire
A ceasefire takes effect on the western front after Pakistan accepts the conflict's outcome.
Chief Martial Law Administrator
Bhutto becomes civilian Chief Martial Law Administrator after Yahya Khan resigns.
Commander in Chief
Gul Hassan Khan becomes Commander in Chief of the Pakistan Army after Yahya Khan leaves office.
President of Pakistan
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto succeeds Yahya Khan as President.
Resignation after War
Yahya Khan relinquishes power after Pakistan's defeat and the separation of East Pakistan as Bangladesh.
Defence of East Pakistan
Niazi commands Pakistani forces in East Pakistan as Indian and Mukti Bahini forces advance toward Dhaka.
Other events (month unknown)
Company Commander
Pervez Musharraf serves as a company commander in an SSG commando battalion during the 1971 conflict.
Company Commander
Pervez Musharraf serves as a company commander in an SSG commando battalion.
Election
Pakistans first genuine free elections are held, both factions of the League are swept out of power, in West Pakistan by the Pakistan Peoples Party of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and in East Pakistan by the Awami League of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Election
Pakistans first genuine free elections are held, both factions of the League are swept out of power, in West Pakistan by the Pakistan Peoples Party of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and in East Pakistan by the Awami League of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.