GENERAL ELECTIONS OF 1970-71 The Economic program was to create a society

POLITICAL PARTIES AND ELECTION free of exploitation, to ensure economic

MANIFESTO justice, rapid economic growth, just
Full political activities resumed from Jan 1, distribution of the fruits of economic growth
1970. About 7 to 8 major parties took part in for all section of people.
the general elections, there were smaller To bring social and economic revolution
parties too. through democratic process, framework of
The major parties were the Awami League economy be altered by nationalization and
(AL), the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the expansion of public sector.
Pakistan Democratic Party (PDP) and the 2 Key sectors of economy dominated by a
factions of the National Awami Party-Wali privileged class could not be solved all on a
Khan and National Awami Party-Bhashani. sudden, so nationalization would be key to
Jamat-i-Islam, Jamiat-ul-Ulema-i-Islam and economic growth and social justice. Banking,
Markazi, Jamiat-ul-Ulema-i-Pakistan were the insurance, heavy industries, foreign, jute,
Islamist parties. cotton trades and basic and arterial transport
The 3 factions of Muslim League (ML) were M. system were to be nationalized.
L. Convention, M. L. Council and M. L. Qayyum. Taxation was to be redesigned and progressive
In East Pakistan AL was the most popular taxation would be one of the measures to
party. In W. Pakistan PPP though new was well achieve economic and social goals. Substantial
organized and had good public support. resource transfer would be made from more
ELECTION MANIFESTO OF AWAMI LEAGUE developed to less developed areas to reduce
It was a composite and comprehensive and ultimately eliminate inter-regional and
documents comprising the Six-Points and 11- intra-regional disparity by the federating Units.
Points of All Party Students Committee of Non-nationalized sector of the economy to be
Action (SCA) as well other issues not covered brought under discipline by the regularity and
by those 2 programs. The aim was to make it planning agencies. Medium and small-scale
broader to have widest possible electoral industries would be encouraged.
support in the election. Higher priority to be given to agriculture and
The salient features of the manifesto were; rural development as majority were depended
A.DEMOCRACY on agriculture and lived in rural areas. Land-
Establishment of a real democracy to give tenure system to be reoriented to serve to the
people freedom and dignity, to ensure justice best interest of the farmers. Jaigirdary,
and equity to them. Zamindary and Sardary system in W. Pakistan
B.FRAMING OF A CONSTITUTION INCLUDING to be abolished. Ceiling upon land holdings and
THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS land redistribution among the landless would
1. Laws would not be repugnant to the be made. Agricultural co-operation would be
injunctions of Islam as laid down in Quran and established and land-revenue would be
Sunnah. redesigned.
2. The government would be Federal and Measures for flood-control, water-logging and
Parliamentary, in which elections to the salinity would be adopted. Power generating
Legislatures of the Federating Units would be capacity of 2500 megawatt in E. Pakistan was
direct and on universal adult franchise. The to be attained within 5 years.
representation to the federal Legislature D. OTHER PROGRAMS
would be on the basis of population. Education, health, housing and communication
3. Pakistan would be a Federation and the received special attention. Development of
Units with full autonomy on the basis of Six- women and youth were to be emphasized for
Points Programs. potential human resources for the nation’s
4. The Federal Government would be benefits.
responsible for defense and foreign affairs. E. FOREIGN POLICY
5. Two separate convertible currencies for the A. L. believed in ‘friendship to all malice
2 wings or a single one with 2 separate Federal towards none,’ and its foreign policy would be
Reserve Banks to prevent transfer of resources independent and non-aligned. Would not
and flight of capital from one region to participate in CENTO and SEATO. Commitment
another. Separate accounts would be to United Nation Charter, struggle again
maintained of the foreign earnings of the 2 imperialism and apartheid would continue.
Units. Wage structure, river training, livestock,
6. Fiscal policy to be made by the Federal poultry and dairy farming, right of workers,
Units. The Federal Government would provide employment, health, transport and
resources for the requirements of defense and communication i.e. roads, railways, bridges
Foreign Affairs, Taxation and revenue and ports were included in the AL manifesto.
collection would be decided by the Units. AL was for truly meaningful autonomy for E.
7. Units would make foreign trade policy, Pakistan. It aimed at the removing the political
negotiate foreign trade and aid within the disparity and ensuring economic justice.
framework of the core political affairs of the Federal government responsible only for
country made by the Federal Government. defense and foreign affairs. AL restricted the
8. Units could maintain militia or para-military Federal Government’s domination.
force for national security.
9. The Constitution would ensure the problem
of under representation in all federal services
in respect of E. Pakistan. As an initial corrective
policy the Naval Headquarters and training
establishment would be shifted from Karachi
to Chittagong.
10. There would be no all-Pakistan and Central
Superior Services. Federal services would be
created for administering federal subject of
foreign affairs and defense and to which
recruitment would be made from all parts of
Pakistan on population basis. Specialist
professional cadres would be created by
recruitment and control would be made by the
Federating Unit Government.
11. District administration would be entrusted
to elected councils, sub-divisions were to be
converted to Districts.
12. Independence of the judiciary, separation
of Judiciary from executive would be
constitutionally guaranteed.
13. After dissolution of One Unit people of
Federating Units of W. Pakistan would enjoy
their basic rights.
14. Universal Declaration of Human Rights
shall be guaranteed to every citizen.
C. ECONOMIC PROGRAM