In 1969, in both parts of Pakistan, a strong mass movement began against Basic Democracy, Agartala Case and Ayub's oppression. In the 11 -point programme of the students many issues were included such as increase of opportunity for education, regional autonomy, adult franchise, freedom of speech, nationalization of large-scale industries, increase of advantages for labourers and farmers, impartial foreign policy, withdrawal of emergency and freeing of political prisoners. All opposition parties were united for the demand of cancelling One Unit in West Pakistan and the establishment for autonomy in East Pakistan. At this time, many students were killed by the firing of the police. To protest this killing, mass movement started all over the country.
The opposition parties formed Democratic Action Committee (DAC).
The intense mass-student movement then started all over the country. The
country-wide movement that arose on the demands of Ayub's resignation, cancellation
of the Constitution of 1962, establishment of parliamentary democracy, withdrawal
of Agartala case turned into a mass movement. Fearing the movement, Ayub Khan withdrew
Agartala case. After his release from imprisonment, on 23 February 1969, in a
huge gathering of students and people the unparalleled leader of the Bangalis,
Sheikh Mujib was given the title of Bangabandhu at the Race Course Maidan
(currently Suhrawardy Uddyan). On 25 March in 1969, Ayub Khan stepped down from politics
transferring power to General Yahyia Khan.
On assuming power,Yahyia Khan took several important steps to
solve the prevailing crisis. He lifted ban from the activities of political
parties. In order to hold the first general elections in Pakistan, he took some
constitutional measures. Of these measures, the notable ones were 'one man, one
vote', and distribution of seats in the National Assembly based on the
principle of population for each province. He arranged 313 seats in the
National Assembly of which 13 were reserved for women. The provision was made
to grant maximum autonomy for each province. Maximum 120 days were fixed for
drafting constitution by the elected representatives. Draft of the constitution
was to be approved by the President.