Question 4

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2015). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1-2] A planned military operation carried out by the Pakistan Army to put down the Bengali nationalist movement in East Pakistan in March 1971.
2. [1-2] Ordered by the central government in West Pakistan, this was seen as the sequel to 'Operation Blitz' which had been launched in November 1970.
3. [1-2] The original plan envisioned taking control of the major cities on March 26, and then eliminating all opposition, political or military within one month.
4. [1-2] Bengali resistance was not expected by the Pakistani army and led to many atrocities taking place that caused some 10 million refugees to flee to India.
5. [1-2] These atrocities enraged the Bengalis, who declared independence from Pakistan, and led to the creation of Bangladesh.
6. [1] LEVEL 1: Simplistic statement.
7. [1] It felt that it was important to Pakistan.
8. [2-4] LEVEL 2: Identifies reasons.
9. [2-4] They are Muslims and because of the fire in the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
10. [5-7] LEVEL 3: Explains reasons.
11. [5-7] Pakistanis identify themselves with the Palestinians as fellow Muslims who should be supported in their Cause.
12. [5-7] The objective of the OIC of which Pakistan is a member is to promote harmony and co-operation between Muslim nations.
13. [5-7] The incident of the Al-Aqsa Mosque was discussed at the first meeting of the OIC and support offered to the Palestinians.
14. [5-7] At the Second Conference in 1974 more specific support was forthcoming.
15. [1-2] LEVEL 1: Simplistic statement.
16. [1-2] It was very successful.
17. [3-6] LEVEL 2: Describes the constitutions/identifies successes or failures.
18. [3-6] There were 3 constitutions implemented in 1956, 1962 and 1973.
19. [7-10] LEVEL 3: Explains successes OR failures.
20. [9-13] LEVEL 4: Explains both.
21. [9-13] Successes: The first attempt to set up a constitution came in 1949 with the Objectives Resolution which tried to pave the way towards a new constitution. It attempted to set out a plan to enshrine Islamic principles in an eventual constitution.
22. [9-13] In 1952 a revised Basic Principles Committee presented a report which made firm steps towards an Islamic constitution by stating that the Head of State should be Muslim and that he would appoint a committee of Islamic specialists to ensure that all legislation conformed to Islamic law.
23. [9-13] In 1956 the long awaited constitution emerged with the important declaration that Pakistan was to be an Islamic Republic and that Urdu and Bengali would be the official languages, which was an attempt to placate the people of East Pakistan.
24. [9-13] In 1959 Basic Democracies were introduced by Ayub Khan which was a 4 tier structure of government, allowing elections at various levels. The success of these councils which were set up was such that martial law was lifted in 1962 after a new constitution was introduced.
25. [9-13] The 1973 Constitution revived the power of the National Assembly and as a result political parties became more important.
26. [14] LEVEL 5: As Level 4: also produces a judgement or evaluation.
27. [14] Failures: The Objectives Resolution of 1949 was criticised especially by East Pakistan who resented the fact that Urdu, not Bengali was to be be the official language despite the much larger population. It also resented the idea of equal representation in the National Assembly, again due to the size of its population. The death of Liaquat Ali Khan meant that constitutional change had to wait until a new leader could be found and had time to settle in.
28. [14] The Basic Principles Committee’s report was criticised because the official language issue was still not settled and East Pakistan was determined to oppose the selection of Urdu. Political uncertainties and change meant that further discussions towards establishing a new constitution were put on hold for a few years until 1956.
29. [14] The 1956 constitution was heavily criticised since it didn’t solve the political problems of Pakistan. The constitution promised a parliamentary system of government but whilst the President held the power to intervene or even suspend the Assembly. East Pakistan was very unhappy at not having a majority in the Assembly that it believed its vast population deserved. The 1962 constitution increased the powers of the ruling elite which happened because the major landlords dominated the elections to the Basic Democracies and often used force or bribery to influence the results. The constitution also upset the people of East Pakistan as they felt they were going to have little part in the governing of Pakistan and that the power was held by the military and civil officials of West Pakistan.