The Report of the Hamoodur Rahman Commission of Inquiry into the 1971 War

The Report of the Hamoodur Rahman Commission of Inquiry into the 1971 War is one of the most important historical documents in Pakistan’s history. Commissioned by the Government of Pakistan after the 1971 war and the secession of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), the report was chaired by Chief Justice Hamoodur Rahman.

The inquiry sought to investigate the political, military, and administrative failures that led to the tragic events of 1971, including the conduct of the Pakistan Army, the role of political leadership, and the circumstances that culminated in the surrender at Dhaka.

Initially kept classified for decades, the report was eventually leaked and later declassified, sparking intense debate across Pakistan and Bangladesh. It provides rare and candid insights into the causes of Pakistan’s greatest national crisis, accountability of institutions, and the lessons that were either learned—or ignored—by the state.

An essential resource for historians, researchers, students, and policymakers, the Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report remains a critical document for understanding civil-military relations, governance failures, and the cost of political mismanagement in South Asia.