Conference: Socialism, the Current Political Realities and the State of Rights
Strategic Meeting: Parameters of Future Collaboration amongst Left Parities of Pakistan and Afghanistan
December 21-22, Lahore
On 6th December 2011, the representatives of three Left and progressive parties of Pakistan met here in Lahore. Jamil Umer president Awami Party, Naeem Shakir, senior vice chair Workers Party and Farooq Tariq spokesperson Labour Party Pakistan were together to finalize the arrangements of Pakistan Afghanistan progressive forces conference.
It was decided to go ahead with the planned two days conference of Pakistani and Afghanistan Left and progressive groups in Lahore on 21-22nd December 2011.
This meeting is going to be very important particularly in the light of recent development between Pakistan and NATO and Bonn conference. The three parties decided to put all efforts to bring together the representatives of the groups from the two countries and form a joint strategy to counter the influence of the occupied forces and religious fundamentalists.
The conference will discuss the political context of the region and see the possibilities of bringing together the forces of the Left and progressive of the two countries.
There will be two session on the first day with over 60 delegates from both countries. The first on the political context of the region in the light of Pak Afghan relationship, this will mainly deal with the political situation to clarify the ideas. There will be three speakers from Pakistan and two from Afghanistan with your opening remarks. That includes Abid Hasan Minto, president Workers Party, Farooq Tariq, Labour Party Pakistan and Hasan Nasir president Awami Party along with leaders of different left and progressive groups of Afghanistan. It will take up the issue of women in both countries and the legislations that need to be changed for equal rights.
The second session will deal with contact and cooperation between progressive forces of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The third event of the day will be a press conference with a possible joint declaration.
The second day, a smaller one will be to deal in detail the cooperation and future strategies of Left and progressive forces of the two countries.
Tentative Agenda
– Political Context in the Region and impact on Pakistan and Afghanistan
– The Need and Significance of Collaboration between the Left Parties of Pakistan and Afghanistan, Socialism and Feminism/Women’s Rights
– The Importance of Building progressive Movements – Case studies from Pakistan and Afghanistan
Please contact Farooq Tariq for more information
The conference is sponsored by Laft Party Sweden.
Here are details of the agenda and groups already involved.
Conference
Socialism, the Current Political Realities and the State of Rights
December 21, Ambassador Hotel Lahore
Participations
Representatives of political Parities
· Labour Party Pakistan
· Workers Party Pakistan
· Awami Party
· Awami Tehreek
· National Party
Representatives of Organizations
· Labour Education Foundation
· Women Workers Help Line
· Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee
· National Trade Union Federation
· Progressive Youth Front
· Labour Qaumi Movement
· Anjuman e Mazareen Punjab
· South Asia Partnership
· Human Rights Commission of Pakistan
· Aurat Foundation
Note: approximately 60 persons including the above mentioned left parties and organizations will be invited.
Tentative Agenda Items
a. Political Context in the Region and impact on Pakistan and Afghanistan
b. The Need and Significance of Collaboration between the Left Parties of Pakistan and Afghanistan, Socialism and Feminism/Women’s Rights
d. The Importance of Building Movements – Case studies from Pakistan and Afghanistan
Strategic Meeting
Parameters of Future Collaboration amongst Left Parities of Pakistan and Afghanistan
December 22, Lahore
Points to ponder
· The context of left activism in Pakistan and Afghanistan
· Mutual areas of concern and opportunities
· Outline of future interventions
· Ways of risk management