Page "East Pakistan" Paragraph 16

With Ayub Khan ousted from office in 1969, Commander of the Pakistani Army, General Yahya Khan became the country's second ruling Chief Martial Law Administrator.

Both Bhutto and Mujib strongly disliked General Khan, but patiently endured him and his government as he had promised to hold an election in 1970.

During this time, strong nationalistic sentiments in East Pakistan were perceived by the Pakistani Armed Forces and the central military government.

Therefore, Khan and his military government wanted to divert the nationalistic threats and violence against non-East Pakistanis.

The Eastern Military High Command was under constant pressure from the Awami League, and requested an active duty officer to control the command under such extreme pressure.

The high flag rank officers, junior officers and many high command officers from the Pakistan's Armed Forces were highly cautious about their appointment in East-Pakistan, and the assignment of governing East Pakistan and appointment of an officer was considered highly difficult for the Pakistan High Military Command.