Pakistan Observer
2nd December 1968
Will Six-Point Awami League
Change Its Go-It-Alone Policy?
(By A Staff correspondent)
A meeting of the Working Committee of the East Pakistan Awami League (pro-six-point) held on Sunday decided to observe an “anti-repression” day on December 13. The meeting also appointed a fiveman committee for “forgoing real unity for movement and action” of opposition parties.
But what may be considered as important is that Sunday’s principal outcome of the pro-six point Awami League Working Committee meeting indicated a change in the go it-alone policy of the party. The pro-six point Awami League is now Psychologically prepared to go for united action with other opposition parties on specific issues without lying down …. pre-conditions.
For example so for the pro-six point Awami Leaguers were reluctant to work with the pro-Peking faction of National Awami Party unless the latter came to terms with the pro-Moscow faction of NAP. Now they say that they hope to work in collaboration with both and if that was not possible they will work with any one of the two factions. They have held discussions with both sections and expect to get the two NAP’s work together. Further, the fiveman negotiating committee of the pro-six point Awami Leaguers will hold talks with the Pakistan Democratic Movement very shortly although not long ago the PDM was anathema to them.
The negotiaing committee of the pro-six point Awami League will meet Maulana Bhasani Monday morning. They also want to held discussions with the PDM leaders during the day.
Background of Six-point recounted
A lengthy resolution adopted at the meeting recounted the situation and conditions leading to the six-point programme, the buld-up of a movement insupport of the programme including the incidents of June 7, 1966, the arrests of the Awami League leaders the present state of mass upsurge in West Pakistan and the repressive measures adopted by the Government and then called upon the opposition parties to work unitedly for realisation of the people’s rights.
The resolution listed a number of issues on which such action could be begun. These include release of all political leaders of all political parties including sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Wali khan, and Z.A. Bhutto, release of all student and labour leaders in both regions of Pakistan; withdrawal of all political cases; repeal of Press and Publication ordinance; withdrawal of forfeiture order on the New Nation printing Press and release of the Ittefaq; repeal of all black laws including the University Ordinance; immmediate reopening of all educational institutions; lifting of the state of emergency; full regional autonomy; dissolution of one Unit and restoration of former provinces in the western region of Pakistan; restoration of fundamental rights; direct election at all stages on the basis of universal adult franchise; flood control in East Pakistan and checking the price spiral.
The Working Committee meeting of the pro-six point East Pakistan Awami League also formally appointed Mr. Mizanur Rahman as the acting General-Secretary of the party as the General Secretary Mr. Tajudding Ahmed is in detention. The meeting was held at Mr. Tajuddin’s house. This was first meeting of the working committee after its election in the last biennial council session of the pro-six point Awami League.
Meanwhile, a meeting of the working Committee of the Pro- PDM East Pakistan Awami League held on sunday made a specific request to the PDM to immediately contact the leaders of other parties to forge unity for the restoration of direct elections on the basis of universal adult franchise, full regional autonomy and other democratic rights. The meeting called upon all the opposition parties to adopt a common plan for forging such a unity.
The working committee meeting of the Pro-PDM Awami League adopted a resolution condemning the repressive actions of the Government in West Pakistan. In another resolution it demanded the release of all political presioners including the alling Khondker Mustaq Ahmed.
The meeting also decided to observe Mr. H.S. Suhrawardv’s death anniversary on December 5 in a befitting manner. The programme includes a discussion session on Mr. Suhrawardy’s life and work.
সূত্র: সংবাদপত্রে বঙ্গবন্ধু চতুর্থ খণ্ড: ষাটের দশক ॥ তৃতীয় পৰ্ব ॥ ১৯৬৮