ABSTRACT
The epilogue to Ayub's rule contained another painful division in South Asia. Ethnicity, rather than religion, formed the basis of the second rupture. The Ayub regime could not be held responsible for creating the ethnic imbalances which it inherited. It was guilty of a far more serious crime. It had pursued policies which had consciously exacerbated the explosive schisms within Pakistan. It had done so by brazenly pursuing other objectives, dismissing sensitive equity issues as costs to be contained ultimately by force. This neglect was particularly serious in view of Pakistan's geographical structure and historical evolution. The Bengalis were separated, by a 1,000 miles of Indian territory, from the central government based in West Pakistan. India could be expected to take advantage of a serious revolt in the eastern wing. Simple military strategy, let alone political sagacity, necessitated the integration of the major ethnic community within the national political framework. We shall begin our analysis by outlining the institutional structure, adopted by the Ayub regime, which led to a civil war.
