what was the role of the army in pakistani politics during bhutto's in 1971??

 During Bhutto's time in 1971, the role of the army in Pakistani politics was pivotal and complex. The military was deeply involved in the political landscape, particularly during the Bangladesh Liberation War, which led to the secession of East Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh.

The Pakistani Army was responsible for brutally suppressing mass protests in East Pakistan, which led to a significant refugee crisis and international condemnation

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. The military's actions in East Pakistan were a major factor in the eventual conflict with India, known as the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. This war resulted in a humiliating defeat for Pakistan and the surrender of Pakistani troops in East Pakistan

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.The defeat significantly tarnished the military's reputation, and Bhutto, who emerged as the leader of Pakistan after the war, initially had more room to maneuver politically due to the army's weakened state

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. However, Bhutto's relationship with the military was fraught with tension as he attempted to assert civilian supremacy while also dealing with the military's established role in politics

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.Bhutto's approach to the military included both attempts to work with it and efforts to reduce its influence. For instance, he raised the Federal Security Forces (FSF) to counterbalance the army's power

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. Despite these efforts, the military remained a dominant force in Pakistani politics, and Bhutto's tenure ultimately ended with his overthrow by a military coup led by General Zia-ul-Haq

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.In summary, during Bhutto's time in 1971, the Pakistani army was a central actor in politics, both as an enforcer of state policies in East Pakistan and as a key player in the subsequent political developments following the war. Bhutto's attempts to manage and mitigate the military's influence were a defining aspect of his administration, reflecting the ongoing struggle between civilian and military control in Pakistan's political history.