[1]: 102–103 The mission was led by Vice-Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan, then-governor of East Pakistan and commander of the army in the Eastern Theatre, to work out a peace initiative to end the political crises in east Pakistan.
[2] Following the violent raids in Dhaka University by the East-Pakistani police supported by the military stationed in East, and ultimatum issued by India to intervene in the conflict, Pakistan had authorized Admiral Ahsan to carry out the investigations into a possible Indian intervention through a cable communication to work out a possible peace solution to end violence in East.
[1]: 102 The recommendations based on the studies were roughly based on six-point movement proposed by the Awami League in 1969 and called for: The mission also called for Pakistan becoming a co-federation with Yahya Khan as president with Mujib being the Prime Minister of East while Bhutto being Prime Minister of Pakistan.
[1]: 102 The proposal was met with strong support from the international community and India fell in line though reluctant.
[1]: 102 The formula was supported by the political leaders of West Pakistan, with the exception of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and by the international community, including, reluctantly, India.