Pakistan, which later rejoined the Commonwealth of Nations, originally withdrew from the Commonwealth in which year because of political developments in the region?

Introduction / Context:
The Commonwealth of Nations is an association of independent countries, many of which were formerly part of the British Empire. Pakistan has had a complex history with the Commonwealth, including a period of withdrawal and later rejoining. This question tests knowledge of a key date in that relationship, focusing on the year when Pakistan pulled itself out of the Commonwealth before joining again later. Such chronology based questions are common in world organisations and political history sections of competitive exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The country in question is Pakistan.
Pakistan rejoined the Commonwealth after having left it earlier.
We are asked about the year when Pakistan originally withdrew from the Commonwealth.
The answer choices are 1972, 1975, 1978 and 1981.
We assume the question refers to the commonly cited withdrawal after the creation of Bangladesh and related political events.

Concept / Approach:
In 1971, East Pakistan became the independent nation of Bangladesh after a conflict that drew global attention. In reaction to international responses and political circumstances, Pakistan decided to withdraw from the Commonwealth shortly thereafter. Many standard general knowledge books state that Pakistan left the Commonwealth in 1972. Remembering this link between the Bangladesh Liberation War period and Pakistan leaving the Commonwealth helps in associating the correct year for exam questions.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the timeline of events around 1971 and 1972, including the creation of Bangladesh and diplomatic tensions. Step 2: Pakistan decided to pull out of the Commonwealth in protest and due to political reasons soon after, and this withdrawal took place in 1972. Step 3: Compare the options. The year 1972 fits directly into the immediate post war period and matches information from standard GK references. Step 4: The years 1975, 1978 and 1981 are later and do not align with the well known phase when Pakistan actually left the Commonwealth. Step 5: Therefore, select 1972 as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
A good way to verify is to look at timelines of Commonwealth membership found in reliable yearbooks or international relations summaries, which often show Pakistan leaving in 1972 and rejoining later. When multiple independent sources give the same year for a major diplomatic step like withdrawal from a high profile organisation, this strongly confirms the accuracy of that date. Students who build mental timelines for major countries and their international engagements can more easily answer similar questions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
1975: Several global events occurred in 1975, but Pakistan had already left the Commonwealth by then, so this date is incorrect for the original withdrawal.
1978: This is another later date, used as a distractor, and does not match the established historical chronology of Pakistans withdrawal.
1981: By 1981, the issue of leaving had already been decided years earlier, so this date cannot refer to the original withdrawal event mentioned in the question.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates often mix up different years associated with the Commonwealth, such as years of admission, suspension or readmission for various countries. Another pitfall is guessing based on the most recent sounding date instead of linking the date logically to major historical events like the formation of Bangladesh. To avoid these mistakes, learners should revise a table of key dates for important international organisations and note how political crises influenced membership decisions for countries like Pakistan.

Final Answer:
Pakistan originally withdrew from the Commonwealth in the year 1972.