Six Point Program

By
Marzan Bintey Kamal
Introduction:
Against the Backdrop of the comprehensive political,
military, economic and cultural disparities towards East
Pakistan, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the leader of the then
grass-root political party, Awami League launched his
historic six point program.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman strongly feel about the need for
autonomy. The six point program was formulated to
bridge the wide gap between the two wings of Pakistan.
The six point program was put forward in Lahore, the
very city where Sher-E-Bangla had moved the historic
Lahore Resolution in 1940. This program was virtually
“Bengali’s right to live”, which Sheikh Mujib called “our
demand for survival”.
Background:
Event:
In the wake of Indo-Pak war of 1965 over Kashmir issue the West
Pakistani leaders did not want to miss the opportunity to turn
political dissatisfaction with Tashkent agreement into a major
political issue. So they called for an All Pakistan National
Conference on 5th February, 1966. Sheikh Mujib did not want to
attend the conference as he knew as to an open discussion would not
be welcomed to that conference. Later on he made up his mind to
participate in the conference. He issued the six point program on 12 th
February, 1966. The program initially consisted of 7 points. Later
on, it was reduced to 6 points. Tajuddin Ahmed helped him edit the
points. As usual it was not accepted in the conference. After being
rejected Sheikh Mujib placed these points in front of the working
committee of Awami League on 21st February, 1966. Immediately it
was ratified by the working committee.
 Reasons:
• Bengali people always objected the 1946 amendment of Lahore
Resolution which changed the political concept of Pakistan from
‘Independent States’ to a ‘Single State’.
• In 1948, Bengalis political and cultural rights were snatched by
declaring Urdu as the state language of Pakistan. Later on, the
language movement reached its climax in 1952.
• The first constitution of Pakistan was abrogated by Ayub Khan.
• Military rule was imposed in 1958 in order to deny the political
rights of Bengali people.
• All political parties in Pakistan were banned by Ayub Khan.
• The voting right of the people was snatched in the name of basic
democracy.
• There were only 22 Bengali ministers in the cabinet of Pakistan.
• All the chief secretaries of East Pakistan (1947-71) were non-
Bengalis. Even the major secretaries of East Pakistan were non-
Bengalis.
• In the first five year plan of Pakistan, the budget allocated for East
Pakistan was 300 crore 20 lakh rupee whereas the budget
allocated for West Pakistan was 500 crore rupee.
• The difference of par capita income between the two wings was
25 taka in 1947. But in 1960, the amount was increased up to 63
taka.
• About 60% of education fees had to be paid by the East Pakistani
students. Thus a movement was held in 1962.
• Basic chemicals, pharmaceuticals and cement factories were
constructed in West Pakistan.
 Points:
• The character of the constitution shall be federal. The form of the
government shall be parliamentary. All elections would be held on
the basis of Universal Adult Franchise and direct voting.
• The federal government will deal with only foreign affairs and
defense. Other powers will rest with the provinces.
• There will be two separate freely convertible currencies or a single
currency with the provision of two state banks in the two
 wings of Pakistan under a federal reserve bank.
• The provincial government shall have the authority to levy all
taxes and collect them. The federal government would receive its
share from the federal units to meet the financial obligation.
• There will be separate accounts for the foreign exchange of the two
wings. The requirements of the center will be met by the two
wings on the basis of equal rate.
• The federal states shall have the authority to form regional armed
forces, militia or para-militia forces to protect the territories.
 Impacts of the Six Point Program:
• The Six point program gained widespread support amongst the
Bengalis of East Paksitan.
• It was greatly welcomed by the Bengalis as their Charter of
Emancipation.
• It reflected the hopes and aspirations of an exploited people.
• The seeds of independence were sown in this program.
• It was very successful in tapping into Bengali nationalistic feelings
 and attitude.
• The Magna Carta embodies the Bill of Rights in the
British Democracy, so does the six point program in
case of the emergence of Bangladesh.
 Reasons for the popularity of Six Point
Program:
• Six point program threatened the economic and political
monopoly of East Pakistan.
• The export earnings of East Pakistan would no longer be
manipulated for the industrialization of West Pakistan.
• Foreign assistance would no longer be monopolized for West
Pakistan only.
• East Pakistan would no longer remain a captive market for West
Pakistani products.
• East Pakistan would no longer be exploited for maintaining a
vast war machine for West Pakistan.
• The economic priorities would no longer be determined for the
advantage of West Pakistan.
• It would end the dominance of West Pakistani bureaucrats.
• It became more popular following the Agartala Conspiracy.