Morning News
12th February 1966
SIX-POINT PROGRAMME
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave out the following text of the sixpoint programme he had placed before the subjects committee at the Lahore Conference:
In view of the experiences gathered during the 17 days of war with India some rethinking about constitutional framework of the country is necessary, Keeping in view the practical aspects of administration for the welfare of the people. It is evident that the determination of the people of East Pakistan to keep the country as a single whole saved the two parts of Pakistan from disintegration which could have taken place during this period of extraordinary emergency.
The main object of this brief note is to make an earnest effort to continue to keep the two parts of Pakistan united as one political entity. With this object in view the following suggestions are made-
1. The constitution should provide for a Federation of Pakistan in its true sense on the basis of Lahore Resolution, and parliamentary form of government with supremacy of legislatures elected on the basis of universal adult franchise and direct voting.
2. Federal Government shall deal with two subjects defence and foreign affairs; all other residuary subjects shall vest in the federating states.
3. Regarding currency either of the following-
A. Two separate freely convertible currencies may be introduced.
B. One currency for the whole country may be maintained. In this ease effective constitutional provisions are to be made in stopping flight of capital from East to West Pakistan.
C. Separate banking reserve is also to be made for East Pakistan. Separate fiscal and monetary policy is to be adopted for East Pakistan.
4. Taxation: The federating states shall have exclusive authority to levy all taxes and duties. The Federal Government will have no tax levying authority, but will have a share on state taxes for meeting their required expenditure. The consolidated federal fund should come out of a levy of a certain uniform percentage of all state taxes.
5. Foreign Trade: i. Separate external trade account for each of the federating states is to be maintained. ii. Foreign exchange earned out of external trade will be at the disposal of the states. iii. The federal foreign exchange requirements will be met by the states on the basis of equal percentage rate or a rate to be agreed upon. iv. Indigenous commodities will move between states free of any taxation or tariff restrictions. V. states should be allowed by constitutional provisions to place trade representatives abroad and negotiate trade deals in the interest of the state.
6. States should have the authority under the constitution to raise and maintain under its own control Para-military or territorial forces to protect the territorial integrity as well as the constitution.
সূত্র: সংবাদপত্রে বঙ্গবন্ধু তৃতীয় খণ্ড: ষাটের দশক॥ দ্বিতীয় পর্ব