President General Yahya Khan, aware of Pakistan's volatile political situation, announced plans for nationwide elections in 1970 and issued the Legal Framework Order No. 1970 (LFO No. 1970), leading to significant changes in West Pakistan. The One Unit program was dissolved, allowing provinces to revert to their pre-1947 structures, and the principle of direct balloting was introduced. However, these changes did not apply to East Pakistan.

The elections saw the Awami League, advocating the Six Points manifesto, win overwhelmingly in East Pakistan, while Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) gained significant support in West Pakistan. The conservative Pakistan Muslim League (PML) also campaigned across the country. Despite the Awami League winning a majority in the National Assembly, West Pakistani elites were reluctant to transfer power to an East Pakistani party. This led to a constitutional deadlock, with Bhutto demanding a power-sharing arrangement.

Amidst this political tension, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman initiated a non-cooperation movement in East Pakistan, paralyzing state functions. The failure of talks between Bhutto and Rahman resulted in President Khan ordering military action against the Awami League, leading to severe crackdowns. Sheikh Rahman was arrested, and the Awami League leadership fled to India, forming a parallel government. This escalated into the Bangladesh Liberation War, with India providing military support to the Bengali insurgents. In March 1971, Major General Ziaur Rahman declared East Pakistan's independence as Bangladesh.