Labour Party Pakistan National Committee meets at Islamabad
LPP National Committee met in Islamabad for two days on 26-27 December 2009. It discussed an international perspective document and the socio economic and political situation of Pakistan. It also discussed the progress of Labour Party Pakistan in different regions. It discussed in detail the preparations of LPP fifth congress to be held on 27-29 January 2010 at Faisalabad. The meeting also made arrangements of an international workers peasant’s conference to be held at Faisalabad famous Dhobi Ghat on 29 January. Over 40 comrades attended the meeting including some observers from all parts of Pakistan.
The LPP NC paid rich tribute to four comrades who died recently in a tragic traffic incident in Baluchistan on their way back from meeting women workers. It heard comrade Nasir Mansoor from Sindh about the details of the accident and agreed to support a finance appeal of 3 million Rupees for the permanent help of the dependent of the four comrades. It appreciated the Sindh comrades’ initial donation of over half a million to start the finance appeal.
The Labour Party Pakistan National Committee heard in detail the progress of two movements of workers and peasants in Punjab. The main leaders of Labour Qaumi Movement and Anjaman Mozareen Punjab (Punjab Tenants Association) briefed the meeting of the tremendous progress the two movements have made in their respective districts in Faisalabad and Okara. In LQM and AMP leaders can mobilize workers and peasants in thousands in their areas for their demands. The main leaders of the movement are members of Labour party Pakistan.
The LPP NC discussed 24 pages documents in Urdu about the international perspectives. The document discusses in detail the recent crisis of capitalism and its inability to save the environment. The documents discuss the crucial role the working class can play in bringing a socialist change and its ever increasing capacity of production. It takes up Socialist views on climate change, globalization, imperialist occupations, Latin America, European Union, women struggle and several others that are confronting the working class internationally.
A detail document on the rise of religious fundamentalism was presented to NC for further discussions. It takes up the question of religious fanaticism on international level and why the Socialist must oppose and fight against it by building broader alliances.
Pakistan Perspectives
A very live discussion took place at the meeting discussing different aspect and NC agreed to formulate certain demands and slogans to raise the awareness of the working class. It was agreed that there was no impending danger of a military rule in Pakistan despite the recent decision of the Supreme Court on National Reconciliation Ordinance, the infamous NRO. However, LPP agreed that it will fight any attempt by any section of the state to impose any sort of military rule in Pakistan. LPP will keep its tremendous traditions of fighting the military rule.
LPP NC appreciates some decisions of higher courts including the NRO with some reservations. It criticizes the Supreme Court decision to include some of the dictator Zia Ul Haq inserted Islamic constitutional clauses. LPP made it clear that all accused of corruption must be given a fair chance to prove their case. Justice must be done to all corrupt. However, it must not be limited to one section of the ruling class and it must take the corruption of individuals and also of institutions. NC demanded actions against the military generals and other top military officials who have ruled Pakistan for 32 years of 62 years and have indulged in historic loot and plunder of the national assets.
Labour Party Pakistan National Committee meeting criticize the Supreme Court judges attitude towards the trade union struggles and their silence to take up cases of the working class exploitation by the bosses. The judges are very eager to take up social cases, that LPP welcome and appreciate, however the issues confronting the working class are been disused. It demanded the courts to give due importance to the issues of the workers and peasants.
The LPP NC discussed the national question in Pakistan and agreed to fight for the rights of the oppressed nationalities and demanded an equal distribution of state resources for all nationalities and to put more resources for the under developed areas. It agreed to oppose the military operation carried out in several parts of Pukhtoon Khawa and Tribal Areas and also the terrorist attacks of the religious fanatics. It will continue to oppose the both. It agrees that there is no military solution to the curb the rising religious fanaticism while there need to be a comprehensive package to fight the fanatics including the steps to separate the state from religion.
Movements
LPP NC heard Mian Abdul Qayum, head of Labour Qaumi Movement (LQM) and Meghr Abdul Sattar, general secretary Anjaman Mozareen Punjab (AMP). The movements of the workers and peasants have been able to mobilize thousands on the issues of labour rights and land ownership. The both movements have caught the imaginations of the many in Pakistan by their bravery and consistency. The two has fought with militant actions but no armed struggle. Both leaders outlined the strategies and actions they had indulged during the past few years. Both stressed the need for more cooperation between the workers and peasants and urged all the social and political organizations to support in their future actions.
The LPP NC discussed various aspects of the movement and stressed the need for more women participation in the movements. It also decided to do more to help and strengthen the movements and expand their areas of work. The LPP agreed to highlight the achievements of these two historic movements in Punjab that has impressed many in other parts of Pakistan. The two are becoming as a reference point whenever there is a talk of movement in Pakistan. LPP agreed to document the achievement of the two movements.
International Mazdoor Kissan Conference
LPP NC discussed the holding of international Mazdoor Kissan (workers peasants) conference on 29 January 2010 in Faisalabad. LQM will host the conference on the eve of LPP fifth congress to be held from 27-28 January 2010. A target to mobilize at least 30,000 was agreed. It was discussed to launch a finance appeal to all our friends and comrades across globe for this historic gathering. The AMP will mobilize its forces from Okara and LPP and LQM along with other organizations will do their best in the surrounding areas and in Faisalabad. It was agreed to invite the leaders of Left and nationalist parties and also from social movements. It was agreed to decorate Faisalabad with red flags and banners and the venue will be fully guarded. The international guests attending the congress will speak at the conference along with leaders from various movements and also the newly elected leaders of LPP.
LPP fifth Congress
LPP NC discussed and took decision on various organizational steps of the congress. It agreed to limit the delegates to less than 200 due to lack of resources. It also agreed to increase the numbers of the National Committee from 21 to 27 to be elected at the congress. This was due to the expansion of LPP in several new areas including Baluchistan. The NC elected an election commission and members of standing order committee to conduct the congress. It agreed to give more attention to the inclusion of women and young comrades at the top leadership of LPP.