General Yahya Khan assumed the office of President and Chief Martial Law Administrator of Pakistan. The Constitution of 1962 was abrogated, and the country was again without a constitution even after twenty-two years of its existence. The National and Provincial Assemblies were dissolved.
Immediately he set about planning for the transfer of power to the elected representatives of the people and on 28 November 1969 he pledged to hold a general election to the National Assembly on 5 October 1971.
Taking advantage of his powerful position, Yahya Khan decided that One Unit be dissolved and the old provinces of Punjab, NWFP, Sindh and Balochistan be revived. These provinces became fully operative by July 1970. The principle of one man one vote was also accepted putting an end to parity.