The two-day Labour Party Pakistan Fifth congress helped to advance the revolutionary process in Pakistan. It brought together comrades from different traditions and trends to discuss the central topic: “build a mass working-class party independent of the influence of the capitalists and feudal elements.” The congress was a bravura expression of the growing influence and strength of emerging left-wing politics in Pakistan.
Over 140 delegates and few observers representing 7263 members of the LPP discussed the political and organizational aspects of the party. For the first time in the LPP’s 13-year history, delegates attended, representing Sindh, Punjab, Baluchistan, Gilgit Baltistan, Sareiki Waseeb, Pukhtoonkhawa and Kashmir. There were leaders of trade unions, of social movements, of peasants and from the labour movement — all eager to learn from each other and discuss their future course of action.
Comrades travelled overnight to arrive at the Faisalabad Centre for Peace and Harmony, a social organization, for a residential congress followed by a mass rally of workers and peasants held at famous Dhobi Ghat grounds. (On the way to the congress one comrade from Baluchistan was seriously injured in a train accident and had to be hospitalized at Multan. As a result of the unfortunate accident he lost three of his toes.)
The three-panel chair presided over the congress proceedings with a three-member standing order committee to help organize the congress.
The congress opened with a two-minutes silence in memory of seven comrades who, since the 4th LPP congress, are no more with us: Abdullah Qureshi (killed in a suicidal attack in Swat on 9th December 2007), Jilal Shah (died 2008), Master Khudad (killed in a Peshawar suicidal attack October 2009), Rehana Kausar, Najma Khanum and Abdul Salam Salam (died in road accident December 2009).
Several organizations sent donations to enable holding the congress and the one- day conference. These included Europe Solidaire Sans Frontieres (ESSF), comrades related to Workers International Network, Socialist Alliance Australia, Organization of Communist International Greece, Solidarity USA, and Pakistani comrades in Sweden, Norway and the United Kingdom as well as several individual donations. Over 100,000 Rupees was raised in the finance appeal from the delegates attending the congress.
At the congress Comrade Farooq Ahmad read some of the solidarity messages received from the following organizations across the globe Congress opened up with reading of some of the solidarity messages received, including the Fourth International Japan Revolutionary Communist League (JRCL), Central Committee Communist Party of Cuba, New Anti Capitalist Party (NPA) France, International Socialist Organization USA, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), Independent Lawyers Association International UK, Revolutionary Socialist Party (Australia), Consumers Action Committee Pakistan (CACP), The South Asian Peoples Solidarity group Toronto, Canada, Action Aid International, Workers International Network (WIN), South Asia Alliance For Poverty Eradication (SAAPE) and Organization of Communist International Greece.
Here are some parts of the messages received (full messages attached):
* “We think in particular of your involvement in the Lawyers’ Movement for the overthrow of the Musharaf dictatorship, your intransigent defense of democratic rights and minorities threatened by religious fundamentalism, your constant combativity in offering a progressive and solidarity alternative to the joint threats of talibanism and militarism, the help which you bring to strengthening the struggles of women, workers and peasants, your active participation in the social forums and internationalism that you express in a part of the world that is in a permanent state of war, dominated by the Pakistan-India nuclear face-to-face and NATO-US intervention in Afghanistan.” (Fourth International)
* “We hail the holding of your Congress, which is convened in the midst of a complex political situation and a global economic crisis that imposes new challenges on the political forces that are struggling for a better possible world for all. We wish you success in your work.” (Department on International Relations Communist Party of Cuba)
* “The New Anti Capitalist Party (NPA) of France brings you its warmest greetings for your 5th congress. We wish in particular to salute the efforts that you have made to build a strong progressive and popular political force, independent of established power systems, capable of offering a socialist perspective and solidarity alternative to talibanism and religious fundamentalisms, to militarism and to the bourgeois clientelist parties." (New Anti Capitalist Party (NPA) France)
* “It is imperative for the Left in both India and Pakistan to resist this imperialist design and work consistently for bilateral peace, cooperation and friendship. The CPI(ML) and LPP have a history of shared initiatives and mutual exchanges towards this common goal and we are sure in the coming days we will be able to further strengthen our comradely ties and defeat the designs of our pro-imperialist rulers. Wishing you every success with your Congress and the rally, with warm comradely greetings", Dipankar Bhattacharya General Secretary, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist).
The 120-page draft documents on national and international perspectives were presented.
The international perspectives discussion was opened by comrade Farooq Tariq, who explained the basis of international capitalist crisis, the ecological disaster, and the imperialist occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Adding to this crisis, is the decline of reformism and growing Islamic fundamentalism. Is there a way out? Where are the forces that can save the planet and challenge the new face of counterrevolution? Where in Africa, Latin American and Asia do we see a challenge to imperialist globalization? He outlined the class struggle ahead, highlighting the role of women and building international ties as part of constructing a coming revolution. Comrade Pierre Rousset of the NPA (France) and comrade Simon Butler of Socialist Alliance (Australia) spoke about the crisis of capitalism and climate change. Comrade Arif Afghani of Afghan Labour Revolutionary Organization (ALRO) outlined the worsening social and economical conditions of the Afghan masses. A discussion by more than 12 comrades enriched the topic, covering aspects insufficiently mentioned in the draft document.
The perspective discussion was introduced by comrade Farooq Ahmed. His main emphasis compared the policies of the present civilian government with those of General Musharaf military regime. These are remarkably similar. In addition, the rise of religious fundamentalism is direct threat to the organizations of the working class. Washington’s imperialist aggression and daily drone attacks are fueling the popular appeal of the religious fanatics. He argued that, in order to cover up its anti-people policies, the present civilian government is making a lot of noise about a possible military takeover. While there is little probability of a takeover in the near future, implementing policies to raise the standard of living of the masses remain the government’s best defense.
Over 30 comrades spoke on different aspects of Pakistan’s political and economical situation, once again deepening the analysis. These ranged from discussion on the national question, the rise of religious fundamentalism, imperialist economic policies, and the declining living standard of the masses.
The organizational perspectives were laid out by comrade Nisar Shah. Describing the achievements of Labour Party Pakistan since the last congress at the end of 2007, he cited its magnificent growth. For the first time, the LPP has a presence throughout Pakistan, including Baluchistan, Gilgit Baltistan and Tribal areas. The most important growth area has been in Pukhtoon Khawa, where the LPP has over 2000 members. He stressed the need for more study circles and schools for the integration of this new membership.
A second, and interrelated, point is that the LPP is working to develop the social and labour movements in Pakistan. It has promoted regional and international solidarity and actively participates in anti-imperialist globalization initiatives.
Before the opening of general discussion on organizational issues, After LPP secretaries from Sindh, Baluchistan, Pukhtoon Khawa, Punjab and Sareiki Waseeb gave provincial reports to fill in the overall report with specifics.
A constitutional amendment to change the name of National Committee to Federal Committee was accepted unanimously. Another amendment to hold two annual meetings of Federal Committee instead of three was defeated.
The election of 31 members Federal Committee was held through secret ballot organized by a three-member election commission. Thirty-seven comrades contested. The newly elected members of the Federal committee include Nasir Mansoor, Mukhtiar Rahu, Farooq Ahmad, Beena Fida, Azra Shad, Rehana Shakil, Maqsood Mujahid, Bukhshal Thallo, Aziz Baluch, Farooq Tariq, Bushra Khaliq, Zara Akbar, Nisar Lighari, Younas Rahu, Latif Lighari, Moeen Nawaz Punno, Nazli Javed, Mehr Abdul Sattar, Mian Abdul Qayum, Choudry Imtiaz Ahmad, Riffat Maqsood, Baba Jan, Ihsan Ali, Suhail Javed, Salim Noshad, Khalid Mehmood, Kafait Ullah, Abdul Jalal, Irfana Jabbar, Nisar Shah and Talat Rubab. This includes nine women.
The Federal Committee held its first meeting and elected the Federal Executive Committee, who is the main LPP officials. For the second term comrade Nisar Shah was elected general secretary and comrade Farooq Tariq as spokesperson. Bukhshal Thallo was elected secretary of Education and Culture, Nisar Lighari secretary of Youth, Nasir Mansoor secretary of Labour and Mehr Abdul Sattar as Kissan [peasant] secretary. The decision to elect the secretary of Women was postponed until the next meeting.
Most of the congress delegates then participated in the international workers peasants’ conference on 29 January at Dhobi Ghat ground Faisalabad. [1]
Report by Farooq Tariq
SOLIDARITY MESSAGES LABOUR PARTY PAKISTAN FIFTH CONGRESS 27-29 JANUARY 2010
1- THE FOURTH INTERNATIONAL
2- Japan Revolutionary Communist League (JRCL)
3- PARTIDO COMUNISTA DE CUBA / COMITÉ CENTRAL
4- New Anticapitalist Party (NPA)
5- International Socialist Organizaton US
6- Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist)
7- Independent Lawyers Association International UK
8- Revolutionary Socialist Party ( Australia )
9- Consumers Action Committee Pakistan (CACP)
10- The South Asian Peoples Solidarity group, Toronto, Canada
11- Action Aid International
12- Workers International Network (WIN)
13- South Asia Alliance For Poverty Eradication (SAAPE)
MESSAGE OF THE FOURTH INTERNATIONAL
TO THE 5TH CONGRESS OF THE LABOUR PARTY OF PAKISTAN
Dear comrades,
We bring you, on the occasion of your fifth congress, the greetings of the Fourth International and its organizations.
We have followed with much enthusiasm in the last period the development of your party and the way in which you have shown how to face a political situation that was always changing but always very difficult for the popular movements.
We think in particular of your involvement in the Lawyers’ Movement of for the overthrow of the Musharraf dictatorship, your intransigent defense of democratic rights and minorities threatened by religious fundamentalism, your constant combat to offer a progressive and solidarity alternative to the joint threats of talibanism and militarism, the help which you bring to strengthening the struggles of women, workers and peasants, your active participation in the social forums and internationalism that you express in a part of the world ina permanent state of war, dominated by the Pakistan-India nuclear face-to-face and NATO-US intervention in Afghanistan.
With the workers’ and peasants’ conference of January 29th, your congress offers the possibility of a new step forward, by affirming the existence in the Pakistani political arana of a popular progressist, anti-imperialist, secular force, independent of the ruling and landowning class, their clientelist parties and their religious fronts.
You recently again had to mourn the death of cadres of your party, in Baluchistan or in the North-West, and we share your pain. Your militants are threatened by repression on the part of fundamentalists, the secret service and the army, or the hired men of the bosses. We are at your side in these tests.
We salute your combat and we bring you our internationalist solidarity,
Penny Duggan
For the Bureau of the Fourth International
Paris 23rd January 2010
Japan Revolutionary Communist League (JRCL)
We heard that LPP will hold national cogress on Jan 27 and 28. We, Japan Revolitionary Communist League send solidarity message to your
congress.
We strongly support your struggle against U.S.-led criminal war in
Afghanistan and Pakistan and neoliberal policies forced to carry out by
capitalist class.
Japanese new administration led by Democratic Party of Japan have continued
to strengthen military alliance with U.S. and keep huge presence of U.S military bases in Okinawa island southern part of Japan. But overwhelming majority of population in Okinawa are fighting against U.S. bases and demanding dismantle the bases immmediately.
We will hold a rally in against U.S. bases in Japan and Obama’s War in Afghanistan and Pakistan on Jan. 28th in Osaka and on 30th in Tokyo.
We hope your national congress to gain a big success for opening the way to 21th socialism through your own experience.
with internationalist greetings.
Kenji Kunitomi
for secretariat bureau of Japan Revolutionary Communist League(JRCL)
Jan. 23. 2010.
PARTIDO COMUNISTA DE CUBA / COMITÉ CENTRAL
MESSAGE TO THE 5TH CONGRESS OF THE LABOUR PARTY OF PAKISTÁN
We hail the holding of your Congress that is convened in the midst of a complex political situation and a global economic crisis that imposes new challenges on the political forces that are struggling for a better possible world for all.
We wish you success in your work.
Department on International Relations
Communist Party of Cuba
Sent by Gustavo Machín Cuba Ambassador in Pakistan Ambassador
New Anticapitalist Party (NPA) France
Dear comrades,
The New Anticapitalist Party (NPA) of France brings you its warmest greetings for your 5th congress.
We wish in particular to salute the efforts that you have made to build a strong progressive and popular political force, independent of established power systems, capable of offering an v and solidarity alternative to talibanism and religious fundamentalisms, to militarism and to the bourgeois clientelist parties. We feel all the closer to your combat in that we are us also engaged in the construction of a new political force, characterized at the same time by its opening to the various traditions of the French radical left, by being openly opposed to the neoliberal policies of the right, and completely independent of a “governmental left” which has once again betrayed popular aspirations.
While we can easly identify with your combat, we also know that you are active under much more difficult and dangerous conditions than is the case for us today, in France. You are threatened with repression from the secret service and the army, of the militia in the service of the bosses and the property owners, of the religious extremists. You have already paid the price in blood for your engagement and your militants risk arbitrary detention permanently.
We salute all the more the courage with which you defend the democratic rights of all including of the religious minorities; the courage with which you contribute to the strengthening of the social movements - women, youth, peasants and workers; with which you affirm your internationalism in the anti-war movements (in particular Indo-Pakistani) and regional or world social forums; with which you fight against the patriarchal traditions; with which you defend a secular alternative in a country torn by fundamentalisms. We are with you in the opposition to the US and European imperialism, to the intervention of the United States and NATO (including the French Army) in Afghanistan and at the Pakistani border.
We greet the way in which you knew how to face up in these last years to a changing political situation, that was always very difficult for the popular movements. We are convinced that with the workers and peasants conference of January 29th, your congress will be the occasion of a new step forward for you.
Receive our internationalist solidarity,
Alain Castan
For the NPA (France)
International Socialist Organizaton US
Dearest comrade Tariq and comrades of the LPP:
I would like to send my warmest, fraternal greetings to you on the occasion of your Congress. I had hoped to attend the fifth LPP congress personally, but am unfortunately unable to.
I do, however, want to be sure to convey to you and to the comrades of the LPP, our warmest fraternal greetings and our continued support for the essential work that you are carrying out in Pakistan.
Now more than ever, your struggle has been tied to ours, and in the face of the growing presence of U.S. Imperialism in your region of the world, our futures are bound together.
We stand with you, steadfast and firm, in our common future.
Best wishes for your Fifth Congress.
Comradely,
Ahmed Shawki
For the International Socialist Organizaton US
Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist)
Central committee, Labour Party of Pakistan
Sub: Message of Greetings for the LPP’s 5th Congress and Mass Rally
Dear Comrades,
We are happy to learn that you are holding your 5th Congress from 27-29 January and that the Congress will conclude with a mass rally and an international worker-peasant conference. We are aware that the conditions in Pakistan are pretty difficult and challenging for progressive movements and Left politics. But the rich legacy of the progressive cultural movement in Pakistan and the intensity of popular activism on a whole range of burning issues, especially the recent democratic upsurge against Musharraf’s dictatorial regime, also convince us of the growing prospects of Leftwing politics in Pakistan. The Labour Party of Pakistan has played a key role in this direction and we are hopeful that the 5th Congress of your party will accelerate your development.
Like you, we too are faced with heightened corporate loot of all our resources, growing imperialist intervention in our internal affairs, repressive state policies and divisive communal forces relentlessly threatening to disrupt the unity of the people and divert the people’s attention along sectarian lines. More than six decades since the partition of India and Pakistan, chauvinism still remains an important weapon in the hands of the rulers on both sides of the border and the prospects of peace and cooperation between the two countries are constantly undermined by constant deliberate whipping up of bilateral tension and frenzied war cries at regular intervals. US imperialism which has a vested interest in fuelling tension between India and Pakistan and promoting an ever escalating arms race is working overtime to intervene in the region and pit India and Pakistan against each other.
It is imperative for the Left in both India and Pakistan to resist this imperialist design and work consistently for bilateral peace, cooperation and friendship. The CPI(ML) and LPP have a history of shared initiatives and mutual exchanges towards this common goal and we are sure in the coming days we will be able to further strengthen our comradely ties and defeat the designs of our pro-imperialist rulers.
Wishing you every success with your Congress and the rally,
With warm comradely greetings,
Dipankar Bhattacharya
General Secretary, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist)
Independent Lawyers Association International UK
Aslamalakum Farooq Tariq
Congratulations on getting permission from cruel administration to hold conference. I also congratulate you along with the Labour Qaumi movement to struggle at the forefront with the Lawyers move meant for the rule of law in Pakistan. Iftekhar Muhammad choudhry has brought constitutional revolution with the help of the Lawyers, civil society and media. Farooq your efforts are very much appreciated would you very kindly extend your special invitation to all labour leaders including Riffat Ali BaBa, my brother LAL khan. Irfan Saeed, RAZI khan, Anwar uleman Farooqi, Abdullah Butt, Aslam Rana advocate and aslam Malik Advocate,Anwar Dholan Advocate .all forces in power are Anti revolution but certain individual with Alive conscious would side us Government is trying to reverse revolution by extending Jobs by buying the lawyers, by harassing , by neutralizing them, by discouraging the Judiciary But I am sure the Victory of Qazi Arwar is proof that right thinking forces are to win and ultimately prevail. Inshah Allah My salam to all friends who wish to bring revolution by implementing 1973 constitution.
If we extend united non compromising, peaceful struggle with the lawyers victories are not very far we will fight inside the Parliament and outside. We will fight inside the PPP and out In that I restore membership of Dr Israr whose membership was cancelled by Asif Ali Zardari HE was the only member of central committee of PPP. Assemble of struggle in the lawyer’s movement.ist he was taken as member of C.E.C then why he was sacked? pr0bably because he struggled with the lawyers movement against the wishes of Asif which is not acceptable to me nor to any sincere member of PPP or any Lawyer with alive conscious or to any weather or to any anchor of tv any one who is fighting for rule of law because the innocent shah s legs were cut in struggle sacking him is almost mean heinous and terrorist act of Asif Ali Zardari the chair man of PPP. Terrorist acts must be stopped in the PPP and democracy must prevail. I am Additional secretary General of PPP who was flogged by general Zia ul Haq and only mp who was saluted by the Z.A.BHUTTO Shaheed in the Supreme Court of Pakistan during his trial.
Allah hafiz
Abdul Qayum Butt
Former member National assembly
CHAIRMAN Independent Lawyers Association International (London)
Revolutionary Socialist Party ( Australia )
Dear Comrades,
The Revolutionary Socialist Party ( Australia ) sends warm greetings to your 5th Party congress.
Revolutionary parties always struggle against seemingly overwhelming odds for the liberation of humanity. Today your deliberations take place at a time when the global capitalist system threatens the very survival of the human species.
Of all human institutions, the one least able to save our environment is the capitalist state, because it has been created and structured to defend the very forces that are responsible for environmental destruction. It is up to working people, who gain nothing and stand to lose everything from environmental destruction, to create the necessary consciousness and the organisations that can stop the capitalists. To save our planet and therefore ourselves, working people will need to create their own state, a revolutionary state that destroys the political power and then the economic power of the capitalists. As was said by Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela, in a speech at the recent Copenhagen summit: /“Socialism, this is the direction, this is the path to save the planet, I don’t have the least doubt. Capitalism is the road to hell, to the destruction of the world.”/
US imperialism’s continuous war in the Middle East and Asia , essentially a war to ensure their control of the dwindling oil supply, is costing a fortune, having a big impact on the US economy, creating millions of angry enemies of imperialism, and impacting on the American poor and working class who have to fight these wars. Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Iran, and the list expands, and no peace, just further exposure of US imperialism and its allies in Europe, Australia etc.
But a powerful challenge to capitalism is occurring in Latin America. Cuba has stood fast for 51 years, and now the Venezuelan Revolution has opened a new front in working class resistance.
The RSP, like the LPP, has welcomed Chavez’ call for a new Fifth Socialist International. This call signifies a new offensive for collaboration among revolutionary socialists around the world, but particularly in Latin America, which today is the epicentre of the worldwide struggle for socialism. The Chavez leadership clearly recognizes that the best defence of revolutionary Venezuela will be further socialist revolutions in other countries.
Your party is coming out of a long struggle against the imperialist military dictatorship in which the LPP played a principled and leading role from the day General Musharaf seized power. Despite the defeat of the Musharaf regime as a result of the mass movement against it, the working-class and peasant poor of Pakistan still suffer from the legacy of the Musharaf years, including escalation of imperialist military intervention into Pakistan as well as from the right-wing agenda of religious fundamentalists. The RSP shares your mourning for the loss of your comrades Abdullah Qureshi in 2007 and Master Khudad Khan in 2009 to
fundamentalist suicide bombings.
There’s so much rotten in capitalist society to be angry about. But we know that human solidarity will win in the end. There are lot of words that capitalism has claimed and tainted, but there’s some that they can’t twist, they can’t contort. *Solidarity. Humanity.*
There’s the humanity of the struggle itself: of those who put their lives on the line for it — the heroes and martyrs of our struggle. And we remember new martyrs: Najma Khanum, Rehana Kausar, Abdul Salam, and Wahid Baluch.
Nothing that capitalism can offer can even come close to the humanity that is borne of the working people’s collective struggle for a better future, a socialist future. While we might not live to see it, as James Cannon once pointed out, but by doing what we do today, by devoting ourselves to the struggle we do earn ourselves the one privilege that we should not shun – we earn ourselves the right to call ourselves citizens of the socialist future.
In solidarity
Linda Waldron and Raymond Fulcher, on behalf of the RSP.
Consumers Action Committee Pakistan (CACP)
Dear Farooq Tariq,
The Consumers Action Committee Pakistan (CACP) extends its heartiest gratitude on holding of 5th Congress of Labour Party Pakistan on 27-28 January in Faisalabad. We are glad to know that you have got the permission to hold the workers and peasants conference at Dhobi Gat ground. We wish all the success at the congress and the peasant and workers conference.
The Consumers Action Committee Pakistan is struggling to create a genuine consumers movment in Pakistan. Such a platform would take into account the issues related to goods (food, cloths, medicines etc.), services (health, education, social welfare etc.) and products (packed items, dry milk and other products of corporate sector). However, we face a great challenge. At the one hand, coporate sector is trying to maximize its benefit at the expense of consumers at the other, some so called ’champions’ of consumer rights like The Network for Consumer Protection are exploiting the potential of consumers movement by getting incentives for personal benefit. The Board of Directors of this NGO has been committing human rights violations. In addition, the Board of this NGO had supported dictatorships. Therefore, this is high time to expose real face of this NGO.
We call upon civil society, human rights activists and democratic forces to join hands to make accountable those who have misused the agenda of consumer rights. Lets build a genuine consumer protection movement in Pakistan.
We wish all success for the Congress and the workers and peasants conference.
Best Regards
CACP Team and Editorial team of ’Peoples Voice’ - Weekly E-Newsletter
The South Asian Peoples Solidarity group, Toronto, Canada
Dear comrades,
The South Asian Peoples Solidarity group, Toronto, Canada, sends its congratulations to the Peasants’ congress to be held in Faisalabad, February 2010. We wish to acknowledge the heroic and decade-long struggles of the Pakistan peoples against imperialism and dictatorship.
We recognize that at this time when imperialism is launching its daily attacks within the country that international recognition and solidarity is becoming essential for the continuation of Pakistan peoples’ struggles. We also call for the lowering of borders between our South Asian countries so that people’s strength can grow in unity and without the weakening forces of hatred and blame. We believe that the people of Pakistan will be at the forefront of building links of unity with their sisters and brothers in India. Finaly, we thank you for the opportunity to send you our message of solidarity. Have a great Congress!
Sara Abraham
Action Aid International
Dear Farooq
Nice to hear from you and sorry to know it does not seem to be working regarding the visa
However I m inspired to know it is going to be one of your best efforts and I take this opportunity to offer my best wishes and solidarity to LPP and to Pakistani people.
Warmly,
Sandeepn Chachra
International coordinator Governor and Economic Justice
Action Aid International
South Asia Alliance For Poverty Eradication
Dear Farooq
Congratulation for organizing such a successful event. We really missed that and also the conference. Forgive us this time. We will not miss the next one that is going to be as you said in March. Keep flying your flag. Can we have a small report (proceeding, declaration, resulation, action plans etc). Can you also send this in the SAAPE email list so that every one will know what has happened in that part of our region.
regards,
Prem Dangal
(SAAPE)
The Organisation of South Asia Alliance For Poverty Eradication