বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (দ্বিতীয় খণ্ড)/৪
| শিরোনাম | সূত্র | তারিখ |
| বোর্ড অব ন্যাশনাল রিকনস্ট্রাকশন নিযুক্ত ষ্টাডী গ্রুপ কর্তৃক পাকিস্তানের জাতীয় সংহতি | সরকারী | ৩ ডিসেম্বর, ১৯৫৮ |
SECRET
REPORT OF THE STUDY GROUP APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF NATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION
3. The Study Group considered the general situation in the count 17 in the light of a comprehensive note prepared by D.I.B. It came early to the conclusion that mete publicity was not enough, and that there were major problems affecting the welfare of the people which had to be recognized and tackled before a satisfactory climate of opinion could be obtained. Publicity could only be a means for keeping the people informed of Government's activities and intentions, and could not take the place of “performance". The Group was also of opinion, that if the Revolution was to mean anything it was desirable that apart from the determination of main “objectives" of National Guidance major “tasks" of National Reconstruction should also be formulated, along with the “means" to secure them, so that these goals are kept in view and sustained efforts are made to attain them.
The Study Group devoted its first three sittings to the determination of these objectives, tasks and means, and after discussion with the Board of National Reconstruction formulated the following proposals:
PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES OF NATIONAL GUIDANCE
4. The following should be the principal objectives of National Guidance:
(i) To build Pakistan into a well-knit nation, and develop a national outlook.
(ii) Inculcation of ethical and civic values and development of an enlighten and realistic attitude amongst the people of Pakistan.
(iii) To interpret the conception of the Revolution to out people, to explain its ideals and achievements, and to inspire the nation to a major constructive effort.
(iv) To prepare public opinion to expect and accept what they can get within our limited resources, instead of entertaining unreal and exaggerated hopes. (v) To divert public mind into healthy and constructive channels through measures, including promotion of cultural and sports activities, displays tatoos.
(vi) To effectively counter hostile activities, adverse propaganda and negative influences emanating from abroad and within.
MAJOR TASKS AND MEANS OF NATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION
5. The following are the major tasks of National Reconstruction:
(1) To overhaul the government machinery so as to obtain an honest and efficient administration;
(2) To ensure clean, rational and honest business methods;
(3) To stabilize and strengthen the national economy and to control inflation;
(4) To inculcate simplicity and austerity in living standards;
(5) To arrange for consultation with enlightened public opinion, pending evolution of suitable machinery for giving direct effect to the wishes of the people;
(6) To make an all-out effort to solve special problem of East Pakistan and to promote amity between “the two wings";
(7) To raise the cultural and intellectual level of Pakistan, promote cultural activities connected with various parts of the country and to assist in the growth of a national culture;
(8) To enable women of Pakistan to overcome the handicaps, at present confronting them, and play their proper role in the life of the nation;
(9) To deal with the problems connected with various minorities in Pakistan;
(10) To evolve a suitable policy and initiate action regarding subversive activities emanating from foreign sources, especially India, Afghanistan, U.S.S.R.U.A.R.:
(11) To develop healthy national spirit and loyalty to Pakistan amongst the citizens of Pakistan, and to eradicate sectarianism, regionalism and provincialism;
(12) To make an early, equitable and final settlement of the refugee problem;
(13) To formulate and implement a suitable labor policy;
(14) To strive for a just settlement of Kashmir and Canal Waters Disputes: (15) To emphasize the role of foreign policy, in ensuring security, consolidation and progress of Pakistan, and to obtain public support for it,
6. The following are the important means for accomplishing some of the Tasks set out above:
(1) Land reform.
(2) Rehabilitation of rural life and economy.
(3) Provision of the basic requirements of common man as a producer and consumer, such as implements, and other requirements on the one hand, and food, shelter and medical facilities on the other.
(4) Reform of the educational system, so as to make it really suited to the needs of the country.
(5) Reform of the judicial system,
(6) Strengthening and re-organization of publicity resources in the country.
(7) Rationalization and nationalization of transport and public utility economy.
(8) State trading in selected items.
(9) Planning and rationalization of agricultural production with a view to achieving self-sufficiency in food.
(10) Appointment of Commissions for re-organization and streamlining of Services with a view to meet the changed conditions and to effect economy.
(11) Shifting of the capital from Karachi to a suitable place.
(12) Introduction of Family Planning with a view to stoppage of reckless growth of population.
(13) Establishment of an organization for co-ordination of work, and Implementation of the Objectives of National Guidance and Reconstruction.
NATIONAL INTEGRATION
The most urgent Objective of National Guidance is “to build Pakistan into a well- knit nation". This is, in fact, the biggest problem before the country. The Study Group devoted considerable time to the examination of the question and came to the following conclusions:
(a) The problem of national integration is not peculiar to Pakistan. Most countries have had to face it at various stages of their normal history, and some seemingly well- knit countries (e.g. Canada) have even now got it in some form, Pakistan has some very special difficulties in this connection, due to the geographical situation of East and West Pakistan and existence of strong linguistic groups in West Pakistan, but it has also certain strong counteracting positive forces, and during the last 11 years some progress has been made in several directions.
The position, however, is far from happy even now, and reopening of constitutional and other controversial questions, unless these are handled with the greatest care, will have an unseuling effect, and major efforts are needed to make Pakistan a well-knit nation. The issues are partly political, but the “Group" is of opinion that the limited success achieved so far has also been due to the absence of well coordinated and comprehensive arrangements to deal with the problem. There has been plenty of empty slogan-mongering without a well-planned and sustained effort to face and solve the problem on a methodical basis. The “Group", for example, is not aware of any organization, within the Government of Pakistan which gives the question detailed attention, and studies the steps which have been taken in other countries, e.g. U.S.A... U.S.S.R. and bilingual or tri-lingual states like Switzerland and Belgium to weld heterogeneous elements into a harmonious whole.
(b) The Group believes that the building of Pakistan into a well-knit nation will need an all-out effort on the part of the entire Government organization, but it should be made one of the principal responsibilitics of three Ministries of the Central Government Interior, Education and Information and Broadcasting, and they should take well- coordinated and effective steps to achieve the same.
(c) The Group further recommends the immediate setting up of an organization on the lines of the Canadian Citizenship Department, which is entrusted with a similar task in regard to “assimilation of different ethnic. linguistic, and cultural groups of the people in Canada into an integrated Canadian nation". This organization should carry on research in psychological, cultural, linguistic and other problems, which have a bearing on national integration in Pakistan. It should study regional cultures and group habits in different parts of the country, and the causes of inter-group and inter- regional tensions, and should suggest measures to resolve them. It should have carefully selected psychological and other experts in charge of its researches, and their conclusions should provide a basis for suitable action by the different departments of Government. The “Group" recommends that the newly organized Burcau of Reconstruction should be entrusted with this work, and should utilizc existing agencies for implementation of its findings. (d) The national integration is partly psychological and emotional in character but it will be promoted by developing a sense of inter-dependence and complementing economies. Suitable steps for the same may be taken by appropriate organizations.
CULTURAL AFFAIRS
An important aspect of national integration relates to cultural questions. This is a delicate and complex matter. and should be approached with caution. broad- mindedness and understanding. For one thing, in our society, there is no shortage of those bigots and fanatics who would like to throttle all cultural activity, under onc excuse or another. Again, in the name of the evolution of national culture, it is possible to discourage regional cultures and deny people's self-expression through modes to which they are accustomed. Both these temptations should be scrupulously avoided. Achievement of freedom should mean fulfillment of spirit and not frustration. Besides, Pakistan consists of areas, which at the time of Partition were not only “have-nots" in the material sense, but were also comparatively unknown, and their history, culture, and group habits were largely unstudied. If, therefore, full play is not given to the cultural activities of different areas and the study of their history and group habits is not encouraged, the human element in these areas will remain unknown. No harmonized national life is possible, without a study and understanding of the component groups. It is, therefore, imperative that full play should be given to traditional cultural activities associated with different areas, and these variations should be approached in a spirit of broad-mindedness, respect and understanding.
On the other hand, the Central Government of Pakistan cannot escape its responsibilities for assisting the growth of a national culture, as a basis for harmonization of different groups in the country. This responsibility is increased very considerably, as previous studies of our regional cultures have very often been made by non-Muslims, who even when they approached the question with an open mind were not very well-equipped to discern and appreciate the Islamic and other common elements in various regional cultures, which provide the common thread running in these cultures. This difficulty is very greatly increased by the fact that in some arcas, foreign governments and institutions- e.g. Afghanistan in Pushto-speaking areas of West Pakistan and the institutions at Calcutta, etc., in case of East Pakistan-arc constantly trying, in many ways, to influence cultural activity within Pakistan on lines which must create problems for the nation.
In these circumstances, it will be a major failure of duty on the part of Government of Pakistan to take the line of least resistance, and to enable disruptive elements, with or without inspiration and assistance from across the border, to damage Pakistan's solidarity. The line on which Government should face the problem has been indicated above. The Ministries of Education and Information and Broadcasting should clearly realize their responsibilities and take suitable steps, after very careful consideration, to achieve them. They should assist cultural activity in all parts of Pakistan and give full play to cultural expression through traditional and local modes. They should, however, be held responsible for making a careful study of the cultural trends and history of the country in various regions, and discovering and fostering those trends which make for a harmonized national culture. For this it will be necessary-
(1) to re-write history from the national angle,
(2) collect indigenous literature and folk songs,
(3) encourage local arts and crafts,
(4) to promote music, dancing and drama, on proper national lines.
The Group took note of the fact that dancing, as practiced in some parts of the country, is under strong Hindu and Indian influences, and many cultural institutions are frequented and assisted by personnel of Indian diplomatic missions or by persons in touch with these missions. The activities of the foreign missions are altogether a separate question, but so far as the cultural pattern is concerned, the proper solution lies in evolution of a Pakistani school of dancing. The late Bulbul Chaudhuri was working on this, but even the Academy bearing his name has not maintained these efforts. Early and adequate efforts should lie made to encourage experiments in the evolution of Pakistani dancing.
* * * * * * *
EAST PAKISTAN
The Group cannot too strongly impress upon Government the need for the consideration and solution of the special problems of East Pakistan. Unless this is done in a business-like manner and an answer is found, the very integrity of Pakistan will be in danger. The Group devoted much time to the study of these problems and paid a visit to Dacca where a large number of senior representative officers were interviewed. An impression unfortunately seems to exist in the minds of the people of East Pakistan, including the intelligentsia and even some officials, that East Pakistan has not had a fair deal from the Central Government. Misapprehensions also exist about the people of West Pakistan and their intentions. While it is true that certain mistakes, were made in the past, and a lot remains to be done, the Group could not help feeling that certain interested partics (mainly from amongst politicians, civil servants and businessmen) have aggravated the situation. It has become fashionable to blame the Central Government for all and sundry failures. The politicians, including those in power, contributed to this state of affairs. Much grass has since grown and while the problems are not impossible of solution, provided a well-planned and sustained effort is made, further procrastination will make the situation worse and an effective solution will then be much more difficult to find.
2. There are many aspects of the problem in East Pakistan-psychological, economic, administrative and Political but in the opinion of the “Group" the two most important facets are psychological and economic. The area has been so badly neglected for at least two centuries, and its general development is so poor in comparison with the growth of population that living standards are very low and continue to be further threatened, with the increase in population. Unemployment particularly amongst the educated is very high and with the provision of cheap college education by private institutions, without a corresponding increase in industrial development and opportunitics for employment, the position is steadily worsening. The “Group" strongly recommends that action to deal with the economic problem in a big way should be undertaken. All the genuine grievances of East Pakistan in the economic field should be assuaged. All schemes which will help to improve the lot of the common man and to dispel the sense of frustration from which he, at present, suffers, should be examined with a view to their implementation with utmost speed. Special priority should be given to this task so that the people can see, within the next few months the spirit and intentions of the new Government. It is not for this “Group" to recommend specific schemes. All it can suggest is that such schemes should be given priority as promise to confer benefit on the largest section of the people and can be implemented quickly and will not require much technical know-how. We were told of many fancy schemes involving crores which had been sponsored in the past and which, according to experts. promise to bring in very liule. On the other hand, the immediate needs of the common man in the shape of adequate credit facilities to provide him with his working capital, measures for improvement of agriculture and cottage industries so necessary to improve his lot, and for which there is ample scope, have not received the attention they deserve. Schemes suited to the area should receive highest priority.
While the 'Group' urges very special attention to the economic problems it cannot help recording that the problem in East Pakistan is, to a great measure, psychological also. While, therefore, every effort should be made to deal with the economic side of the problem, the psychological aspect should also receive adequate attention. The publicity effort should be stepped up and while the good policies and the good work done by the Government and the handicaps which militate against their achievement should be made known, those who may be creating hatred and confusion for ulterior motives should be debunked and firmly dealt with
On the administrative side, much leeway will have to be made and the administration toned up. Government servants, imbued with a sense of patriotism and duty, could achieve a great deal. Mutual recriminations, far from helping the situation. make it more difficult. Among the matters concerning the development of the Province, which were listed before us, were many which the Provincial Government. aided by a good Civil Service, could have adopted on its own initiative without the support of the Central Government.
The old Constitution made a provision for at least two sessions of the National Assembly being held in East Pakistan. It will go a long way in inspiring confidence and ncutralizing the efforts of subversionists if the Presidential Cabinet met in East Pakistan, say at least once a quarter. There is also a feeling that Ministers, with their homes in West Pakistan, confine their tours mainly to the province of their origin. The same applies to senior Central Government officials. Both wings must receive equal attention.
The Chief Secretary was of the opinion that the Police Service of Pakistan should be centralized in the same way as the C.S.P. This measure will certainly lead to standardization of administrative traditions and will also promote better understanding. There are practical difficulties but the proposal should be examined and the extent, to which it can be implemented, carefully worked out. Its adoption on suitable lines will promote national cohesion, and the “Group" attaches great importance to an early implementation of this proposal on proper lines.
Inter-wing transfers of C.S.P. officers have not been worked in the spirit of the manner which the authors of the scheme originally envisaged. If the tenure rules could be more rigidly applied and reasonable facilities were given in the form of accommodation, furniture etc., the resistance would be considerably broken down. Perhaps the Army arrangements could be followed as an example.
The “Group" had a very useful discussion with the Education Secretary and the Director of Public Instruction East Pakistan. In the course of these discussions, the “Group" was struck by the fact that, although a lot of attention has been given in East Pakistan to the primary education, very little has been done for the secondary education. Out of nearly 14(X) High Schools, Government runs only 37 and spends very little on the assistance of the others. To us the emphasis seems to be completely wrong. The problem of primary education is so big that it is not possible to be effective without huge financial outlay which the province or the Central Government cannot afford, and the obvious need is for concentration on more important and fruitful sectors. The “Group" feels that the general standard of education, administration and business in the province will rise if first consideration is given to the task of building up leadership in business, industry, professions, Government service-by giving special attention to the secondary schools and to the colleges. The “Group" would recommend the opening of an adequate number of public schools. At the same lime the proposal to shift the Dacca University to a suitable place, away from the busy city life and the provincial headquarters at Dacca, should be revived, and implemented as early as possible.
The “Group" was informed that the influence of Indian nationals or others, who. although technically Pakistani nationals, have their families and all interests in West Bengal, is no longer decisive in a vast majority of private schools, but even now it is considerable and is a source of subversion. The D. P.I. indicated that the proposals for screening of staff were under consideration. While there should be no witch hunt, it is a fair proposition that in institutions which mould the youth, influence public opinion and which receive assistance in one form or another from Government, nobody whose loyalty to Pakistan is suspect should be allowed to hold an important position. This would apply not only to educational institutions but also to publicity organizations and cultural bodies.
One of the causes of the frustration of the intellectuals and writers is the fact that there are no facilities for publishing their works and they receive no assistance from the State. Actually, the publishing arrangements in East Pakistan have been so inadequate that even at present books from West Bengal dominant the market. It is necessary that the State should promote cultural activity and lake up publication of books etc., on a large scale. Publicity arrangements in East Pakistan should be strengthened and the Unity Fund should be administered by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
MEANS FOR NATIONAL GUIDANCE AND RECONSTRUCTION
A number of media are available for National Guidance and Reconstruction, but the principal agency for influencing public opinion will be Ministries of Education and Information and Broadcasting.
In the last analysis the policy guidance has to come from the President, but subject to his overall direction, the Board of National Reconstruction is in charge of the policies and mechanics of National Guidance and Reconstruction. The newly set up Bureau of Reconstruction will be a useful agency not only with regard to certain special items, but also for reviewing the overall picture and submitting proposals before the Board.
These arrangements for overall guidance and research seem adequate, but the machinery available for implementing the policies of the Board of National Reconstruction will also have to be strengthened. The lines on which the Ministry of Education should be strengthened have been indicated in the body of this report. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also prepared detailed proposals for strengthening publicity in the country, and is taking them up with the Ministry of finance.
This report was approved by the Group at its meeting held on the 3rd December. 1958.