Niazi and 1971 war

E-Paper | May 01, 2026

THE Fall of Dhaka in December 1971 was the culmination of a series of blunders and mistakes committed by the people in power and some politicians of that era.

These days one is hearing frequently about the surrender by Lt-Gen Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi in what was then East Pakistan. Success or defeat in a conflict is, for the most part, not linked to an individual’s caste or creed.

The Instrument of Surrender in the 1971 War was negotiated over several days, and in consultation with the political leadership of the time. Hence blaming only Gen Niazi for the debacle is unfair.

The statements alluding to Gen Niazi are in the context of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, who also happens to be a Niazi. Our politicians should refrain from politics propagating a hatred for individuals on the basis of caste or creed and work towards removing the socio-economic ills that afflict this country.

Ada Fatima Malik
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2014

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Abdul Rehman, U.S.A.

Dec 17, 2014 08:22am

I absolutely agree with the writer. The fall of Dhaka was the fault our leadership for treating East Pakistan as a Step child and centralizing power at national level. Karachi also lost its status as the Capital of Pakistan. When the majority in Dhaka won the election, we should have given the Bengalis their due right to rule the country. When the people would had been fade up with that government, then we should had taken back the reign through election.

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Shariq Abid

Dec 17, 2014 12:16pm

Fatima - u r wrong Lt G.Niazi is to be blamed 100% though he was full commond but did not fight single second, he should court martial for his weak leadership. regret that he was commonding E Pak

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rehan

Dec 17, 2014 01:45pm

Gen Niazi's only fault was that he was a General . And he had an immortal picture taken signing the surrender document . Bhutto , Mujeeb and Indra Gandi were equally responsible for the tragedy and should be considered responsible and not heroes.

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