Forum Pakistan

(AL) Founded in 1949 as the 'Awarni Muslim League' and called by that name until 1955. In 1953, the Awarni League initiated in *East Pakistan the United Front as an electoral alliance opposed to the *Muslim League. From September 1956 to October 1957, the party's leader H.S. *Suhrawardy headed the government of Pakistan in coalition with the Republican Party. In the summer of 1957, the party's left wing headed by A.H. Bhashani broke away from the AL and joined the *National Awami Party.

In December 1970, the Awami League won Pakistan's first general election, securing 160 seats out of 300. Martial Law President Yahya *Khan's refusal to recognize the election results led to an acute political crisis, which in turn led to the formation of the People's Republic of Bangladesh (1971). After the achievement of independence, the Awami League became the ruling party in Bangladesh.