Bangabandhu's homecoming and Bhutto's disappointment

On December 7 in 1971, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, foreign minister of Pakistan, brought along Benazir, a Cambridge student, to New York. Their primary objective was to address the United Nations Security Council in the aftermath of the international intervention during the Bangladesh Liberation War. Despite engaging in various diplomatic maneuvers and staging plays in the General Assembly chamber over the next few days, they failed to achieve their main goal of garnering international support against what they perceived as unjust interference in the affairs of East Pakistan. The ignominious defeat on the battlefield was solely a matter of timing. Bhutto acknowledged the inevitable defeat on December 15 in a fiery speech at the Security Council. In his impassioned address, he vehemently protested against India, expressing his outrage.. “We will fight for a thousand years... India is intoxicated today with its military successes... So you will see... this is the beginning of the road... Today, it is Pakistan... I will not be a party to it. We will fight; we will go back and fight. My country beckons me.”

Although Bhutto delivered a vehement speech at the Security Council, he did not proceed to the battlefield. Prior to that, on December 16, he capitulated, surrendering to Lieutenant General A.K. Niazi. Subsequently, on December 17, Bhutto departed from New York to Florida, where he had an opportunity for a yacht meeting with the U.S. President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. From there, Bhutto embarked on his journey back to Pakistan, reaching the fractured nation on December 18.

In West Pakistan, there was extreme unrest at that time, marked by profound disappointment and frustration in all directions due to the humiliating defeat to arch-rival India and the loss of the eastern wing. The simmering discontent extended to the surrender of approximately 90,000 Pakistani military personnel and officials in Bangladesh, including the city of Miānwāli, where Lieutenant General A.A.K. Niazi orchestrated the capitulation.

Meanwhile, in the same city, the incarcerated Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was held captive in a prison. The city of Miānwāli, witnessing the gloom and pressure of defeat on all sides, was not a safe place for Bangabandhu at that time. Therefore, following the advice of the district superintendent and directives from higher authorities, Bangabandhu was transferred from that prison to Shiala Rest House. Security was relatively better at this new location.

At the secure haven on December 26, Pakistan's new President, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, visited Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. After his return to the country on December 18, Bhutto found himself in a precarious internal situation due to the upheaval. Yahya Khan, disempowered and under house arrest after an internal upheaval on December 18th, relied on the cooperation of military officials to maintain his authority. Bhutto assumed a position of power with the support of the military. Simultaneously, he took on the responsibility of the chief martial law administrator. Bhutto became the first civilian in Pakistan to hold the prestigious position of chief martial law administrator.

Upon reaching Shiala Rest House, Bhutto informed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman that he had become the President of Pakistan. In response, Bangabandhu, with a laugh, asked, "How did you become the President of Pakistan? In the National Assembly, I have twice the number of seats you have." The shrewd Bhutto taking Bangabandhu's taunt in stride, replied, "You're correct. I am not worthy of it. If you want, you can become the President. I'm not interested. I want to return to Bangladesh promptly, and you can take care of the arrangements." Bhutto conveyed that it would take a few days to facilitate such arrangements.

Meanwhile, at the safe haven, Bangabandhu's political aide and Foreign Minister, Dr. Kamal Hossain, was also brought in. Together, Dr. Kamal and Bangabandhu attempted to use a radio to broadcast news to Bangladesh.

After the meeting with Bangabandhu on December 26, Bhutto did not stay back. Upon assuming the responsibilities of the presidency, he faced two major challenges: first, repatriating the 93,000 prisoners of war held in India, and second, safeguarding the territorial integrity of Pakistan at any cost. Bhutto employed all his influence to achieve these dual objectives, enlisting the support of his key aide in the Pakistan Foreign Office, Aziz Ahmed.

Following Bhutto's departure from Shiala Rest House, Aziz Ahmed arrived at the location. Aziz Ahmed played a significant role in assisting Bhutto in his pursuit of these objectives.

He announced that in the first week of January, Bhutto would reveal his final decision on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at a rally in Karachi. The Pakistani government planned to send Sheikh Mujib back to the country on any aircraft of Pakistan International Airlines. However, at that time, Pakistani flights were prohibited from Indian airspace. As a result, they devised an alternative route via Tehran to bring him back to Dhaka. Yet, Bangabandhu did not agree to this plan, fearing it might create additional pressure on him, as he believed Bhutto had ulterior motives. Sheikh Mujib insisted on transit through a neutral country like Switzerland, Geneva, or Vienna in Austria.

At a certain stage of the discussion, London is finalized as the transit point. Bangabandhu accepts this proposition, understanding that it is from London that many Bengalis are actively contributing to the liberation struggle of Bangladesh. Particularly, Justice Abu Sayeed Chowdhury, based in London, has played a significant role in mobilizing global public opinion for the liberation struggle of Bangladesh. From the discussions at Shiala Rest House, it is concluded that on the night of January 7, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will depart from Pakistan with the intention of reaching London.

Before leaving Pakistan, clever Bhutto extends an invitation to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for a farewell dinner. From Shiala Guest House, Bangabandhu and his associate Dr. Kamal Hossain are taken to the State Guest House, where they are received as guests of the President. At the dinner, Bhutto, with a sincere tone, requests Bangabandhu to maintain some form of relationship with Pakistan. It is reported that during this time, Bhutto is quite persistent. In response, Bangabandhu states that he will make a decision regarding this matter after reaching Bangladesh, and it is not possible to comment on it before arriving there. In the final moments, Chaudhry Bhutto resorts to further cunning.

He said, "Your (Bangabandhu's) journey has been postponed until tomorrow morning. This is because tomorrow morning, the Shah of Iran will arrive in Karachi. After the conclusion of his meeting, Sheikh Mujib will be able to depart from Pakistan." It is understood that Bhutto is trying to apply pressure, hoping to negotiate some form of continued relationship with Pakistan. Bhutto aims to discuss this further during a meeting with the Shah, scheduled to take place in Tehran after Bangabandhu reaches Dhaka. If Sheikh Mujib remains firm, he can demonstrate his strength.

He sternly stated, "I don't want to negotiate with anyone. If you wish, you can send me back to prison." This assertion compelled Bhutto to soften his stance. Later, Bangabandhu and Dr. Kamal Hossain were informed that they would be leaving Karachi tonight (January 7th). Subsequently, Bangabandhu was escorted to the airport by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto himself, maintaining a discreet desire, leaving room for some undisclosed arrangement or understanding within the confines of Pakistan!

Afterwards, Bangabandhu returned to Bangladesh from Delhi on January 10, having traveled from London. During these months, Bangabandhu became aware of the heinous crimes committed by the Pakistani forces in the soil of Bengal—barbaric massacres, arson, systematic violence against women, and the killing of intellectuals—all of which he learned about while in London. Upon returning to the country, in a gathering at Suhrawardy Udyan, Bhutto declared, "Stay happy with your country. The heinous crimes you committed in the land of Bengal mean there can be no relationship with Bangladesh (no confederation or any form of union)."

Although the final announcement was made in Suhrawardy Udyan, Sheikh Mujib had already decided to sever all ties with West Pakistan. Despite the grand declaration in Suhrawardy Udyan, Sheikh Mujib had already taken the decision to sever all ties with West Pakistan. When disembarking in London, Nasim Ahmed, an official from the Pakistani Foreign Office, had come to the airport to welcome Bangabandhu. Standing before Bangabandhu, he inquired, "Sir, what can I do for you (Sheikh Mujib)?" Bangabandhu replied, "You have done a lot for me. Countless thanks!"

Author: Assistant Professor, Jagannath University, Department of Communication and Journalism.