In February 1966, the leaflet of the Six-Point Programme was circulated. On the 5th and 6th of February 1966, at a conference of opposition political parties held in Lahore, Pakistan, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of the Awami League presented the “Six-Point Demand” in order to establish autonomy for East Pakistan. The information contained in that leaflet was as follows:
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Pakistan will be a “Federation” or a Union. There is no room for discussion on the logic or necessity of this; it is an universally acknowledged truth. Both East Pakistan and West Pakistan, these two regions, must be granted full regional autonomy, and the provinces of West Pakistan must be granted full provincial autonomy. The government will be “Parliamentary,” with a sovereign legislature formed through direct elections by the adult citizens. The number of federal seats in the Union will be determined based on population.
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The powers of the federal government will be limited to two areas: national defence and foreign policy. All other matters will fall under the jurisdiction of the constituent states.
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There will be two separate yet freely exchangeable currencies in circulation throughout the country. Alternatively, under specific arrangements, currency and the economy may be taken as a federal matter. Under this arrangement, the federal government will manage two “Reserve Banks” under the authority of the “State Bank,” and these regional banks will provide economic advice to the regional governments, ensuring that there are effective measures to prevent the free flow of money and capital from one region to another.
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For administrative convenience and to avoid various complexities, it would be preferable for taxation and duties to remain the responsibility of the constituent states. The federal government need not be granted any powers in this regard. However, for necessary expenditures, a recognised portion of the revenue from the states will be due to the federal government in accordance with the constitutional system. A fixed portion of the income from the states will be automatically deposited into the federal treasury.
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Each state in the federation must maintain separate accounts for foreign trade, and the foreign currency earned from such trade will remain under the jurisdiction of the states. The federal government’s demand for foreign currency will be met by the states at a mutually agreed rate, in alignment with the federal government’s foreign policy. States must be granted the power to send their own trade representatives abroad and to enter into commercial agreements in their own interests.
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To maintain regional cohesion and safeguard the constitution, the constitution must grant the states the authority to form and maintain semi-military or regional armies under their jurisdiction.