Awami League Six Points

The Awami League's Six Points were a set of demands put forward by the Awami League, led
by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in 1966. These demands played a crucial role in shaping the
political landscape of Pakistan and ultimately led to the 1970 elections and the subsequent
independence of Bangladesh. Here's a breakdown of the Six Points:
1) Federalism: The Awami League demanded a federal form of government for Pakistan
with a parliamentary democracy. They proposed that the central government would
have limited powers, and the provinces (including East Pakistan, now Bangladesh)
would have greater autonomy.
2) Provincial Autonomy: The Awami League advocated for greater autonomy for the
provinces, particularly East Pakistan, in matters such as fiscal policy, taxation, and
economic planning. They sought to decentralize power and decision-making to the
regional level.
3) Defense: The Awami League proposed that each wing of Pakistan (East and West)
would have its own separate military and paramilitary forces under its control. This
demand aimed to address concerns about the dominance of West Pakistan in the military
and security apparatus.
4) Currency: The Awami League called for separate currencies for each wing of Pakistan,
allowing for independent monetary policies tailored to the economic needs of each
region. This demand sought to address economic disparities and imbalances between
East and West Pakistan.
5) Taxation: The Awami League insisted on the right of each province to levy its own
taxes and retain control over its revenue. They aimed to ensure that the economic
resources generated within each province would be used for its development.
6) Foreign Trade and Aid: The Awami League demanded that each wing of Pakistan
would have the right to conduct its own foreign trade and receive foreign aid
independently. This demand aimed to empower East Pakistan economically and reduce
its dependence on West Pakistan.
The Six Points highlighted the grievances of East Pakistan regarding political, economic, and
cultural marginalization by the West Pakistani establishment. The refusal of the central
government to address these demands led to widespread support for the Awami League in East
Pakistan, culminating in their landslide victory in the 1970 elections and eventually the
independence of Bangladesh in 1971.