East Pakistan played a crucial role in Pakistan's economic landscape up to 1971, primarily through its resources such as jute, which was a major export commodity. Despite contributing significantly to the national economy, the revenue generated from East Pakistan's resources predominantly benefited the western wing. The federal government directed funds and development projects disproportionately towards West Pakistan, while East Pakistan lagged behind in terms of infrastructure and economic development. This economic imbalance and the unjust allocation of resources prompted deep resentment in East Pakistan and fueled demands for equitable economic policies. The lack of reinvestment in East Pakistan’s growth and the exploitation of its resources without corresponding benefits became a critical factor in the demands for autonomy and recognition, spurred on by political parties like the Awami League, which sought to retain more local control over economic affairs .

Economic disparity played a crucial role in souring relations between East and West Pakistan. East Pakistan was a major economic driver, especially as the largest producer of jute in the world, yet it saw very little economic return for its contributions. West Pakistan, on the other hand, experienced significant development and received the benefits of federal revenues generated largely by East Pakistan, inciting widespread dissatisfaction. This economic neglect, compounded by the lack of substantial federal reinvestment in East Pakistan’s infrastructure or development, fueled discontent and the demand for greater economic autonomy. The Awami League capitalized on these grievances to garner support with its Six Point Agenda, which aimed to give East Pakistan control over its economic resources, highlighting the deep-seated frustration that led to the eventual demand for independence .

The central government's decision to retain revenue and concentrate development in West Pakistan had a profound impact on the stability of the nation. The economic policies were perceived as deeply unjust by East Pakistanis, who witnessed their resources being used to finance development in the west while their own region was neglected. This economic disparity fueled discontent and heightened the sense of alienation in East Pakistan, contributing to a growing sentiment of inequality and marginalization. As economic grievances were intrinsically linked with broader demands for political rights and representation, the dissatisfaction with centralized economic policies became a catalyst for the nationalist movement in the east. Ultimately, the economic neglect and resulting sense of injustice were significant factors that undermined national integration, leading to political instability and, eventually, the secession of East Pakistan to form Bangladesh .

The Six Point Agenda of the Awami League was a pivotal element in East Pakistan's struggle for autonomy, highlighting their grievances and demands for greater self-governance. Proposed by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the agenda encompassed demands for political and economic autonomy, including a separate currency, control over taxation, and paramilitary forces, with only defense and foreign affairs left under federal jurisdiction. These points underscored East Pakistan's desire to extricate itself from the economic exploitation and political domination by West Pakistan. The call for a directly elected government and separate trade agreements articulated a clear shift towards self-governance, galvanizing public support and solidifying the Awami League's position as the principal political force representing East Pakistan's aspirations. The agenda became a symbol of resistance against perceived injustices and laid the groundwork for the movement that would eventually lead to Bangladesh’s independence .

The representation and roles within the military and civil bureaucracy deeply affected East Pakistan's integration within the Pakistani state. East Bengalis were vastly underrepresented in these institutions, with more than 85% of the Pakistani army composed of personnel from the NWFP and Punjab regions of West Pakistan. This imbalance led to East Bengalis being excluded from key positions and decision-making processes. Such exclusion fostered a sense of marginalization and deprivation, as East Pakistanis were not only unable to influence national policies but also felt treated as second-class citizens. The imposition of martial law and subsequent governance structures further cemented West Pakistan's dominance, diminishing East Pakistan’s role in national affairs and exacerbating their demands for autonomy and equal representation, which became key factors in their eventual push for independence .

The "One Unit Plan" had a significant impact on the political dynamics between East and West Pakistan by trying to consolidate the Western provinces into a single unit called West Pakistan. The stated goal of the plan was to achieve administrative efficiency and create a balance of power between the eastern and western wings, given the demographic dominance of East Pakistan. However, East Bengalis viewed this as an attempt to diminish their majority status and political influence. The consolidation of the western provinces led to further political marginalization of East Pakistan, giving rise to feelings of alienation and discontent. This contributed to the growing political and nationalistic movements in East Pakistan, eventually leading to demands for greater autonomy and the eventual secession of East Pakistan to form Bangladesh .

At the time of independence, Pakistan was composed of two distinct geographical regions: East and West Pakistan. More than 55% of the population resided in East Bengal, also known as East Pakistan, whereas the remaining provinces in West Pakistan accounted for only 45%. This demographic division created a sense of predominance for East Pakistan. However, the policies from West Pakistan attempted to counter this predominance, such as through the imposition of the One Unit Plan, which grouped the Western provinces into a single unit to balance the perceived influence of East Pakistan. The underrepresentation in military and bureaucratic spheres further exacerbated the feeling of disenfranchisement among East Bengalis, contributing to the mounting tensions that eventually led to the Fall of Dhaka .

The conflict over the national language was one of the initial points of contention between East and West Pakistan. Urdu was chosen as the official national language, despite East Bengalis' demands for Bengali to be recognized as Pakistan's official tongue. This exclusion fostered resentment as the cultural identity of Bengalis was not acknowledged at the national level. Although both languages were eventually declared national languages under the 1956 constitution, the initial insistence on Urdu as the sole national language set a tone of cultural disregard that intensified other grievances, such as political and economic disparities, leading to sustained conflicts that contributed to the eventual schism in 1971 .

The outright rejection of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) by voters in East Pakistan during the 1970 general elections was primarily caused by the party's inability to address the specific grievances and aspirations of East Pakistani voters. The PPP, led by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was perceived as a western-centric party that represented the interests of West Pakistan, neglecting issues crucial to East Pakistan such as economic disparities, linguistic and cultural recognition, and political autonomy. In contrast, the Awami League, which campaigned on its Six Point Agenda advocating for the autonomy and rights of East Pakistan, resonated with the regional aspirations for self-governance and economic control. The stark differences in platform and perception between PPP and the Awami League led to the former’s complete lack of electoral success in the east, illustrating the deep-rooted political and social divisions within the nation .

The results of the 1970 general elections starkly reflected the political and social divisions between East and West Pakistan. The Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won 161 out of 162 seats designated for East Pakistan, indicating overwhelming support for their autonomy-focused platform. In contrast, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) won 81 seats in the western provinces but none in East Pakistan. This electoral outcome clearly demonstrated the political alienation and lack of support for western-led parties in the east, as well as the failure of eastern parties to gain traction in the west. The regional polarization was evident in how each part of the country supported entirely different political factions with mutually exclusive interests. Consequently, the election results intensified the existing divide and posed challenges to forming a unified national government, ultimately contributing to the eruption of conflict and the secession of East Pakistan .