To understand the separation of East Pakistan in 1971, it is necessary to put the events of that year into the proper perspective of the unstable relationship between East and West Pakistan from 1947 onwards. Hasan Zaheer examines the genesis of the single state of Pakistan, and analyzes the crises which marked the relations between the two areas from 1947 to the army actions of 1971. The book makes extensive use of primary sources, conversations and interviews with those directly involved in the events of the post army action period, unpublished documents, and the author's own personal experiences. It is a detailed account of events on the national and international fronts, culminating in the surrender of the army in East Pakistan on December 16, 1971.