No seat adjustments with religious fundamentalists groups and conservative political parties: Awami Workers Party Federal Committee meeting brief report

Awami Workers Party Federal Committee in its first formal meeting after the merger conference in November 2012 met here in Lahore for two days on 2/3 March 2013. 39 members attended the meeting from all parts of Pakistan. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Hasan Nasir, senior vice chairman AWP. Despite his bad health, Abid Hasan Minto president AWP attend both days for some time.

After detail introduction on the present political situation of Pakistan by Abid Hasan Minto, the discussion was mainly on challenges posed by religious fanatics, Gawader port handing over to China, Iran Pipe Line project, nature of Pakistani capitalist and feudal class and the state, national question and Baluchistan. Different views were presented on the issues.

It was agreed unanimously that there should be no talks with religious fanatics. They are anti democratic neo fascist force in Pakistan and negotiations with these forces would only give them more time for more attacks. There has to be compact plan to deal with growing religious fundamentalists.

It was agreed to continue discussions on the nature of Pakistani capitalist and feudal class. There was almost unanimous views that Pakistani ruling class have failed to further any real development in Pakistan. Human developments have been completely ignored and partial development of infrastructure would not make much difference.

Questions were raised on the timing of the Gwadar port handing over to China and Iran Gas Pipe line memorandum of understanding. It was said that it is decisive shift of Pakistani PPP government from its earlier cooperation’s with American imperialism. The implementations on these two projects will depend on the outcome of the general elections. The nature of Chinese state was also discussed and agreed to continue the debate in detail in future Socialist schools.

It was agreed unanimously to lend critical support to those nationalist forces fighting against state repression and for right of self determination.

AWP Saraiki Waseeb elections were discussed in detail. It was agreed to form a five members committee to discuss the issue in detail. That includes Suhail Javed, Zahid Kanjoo, Javed Akhtar, Zafar Iqbal and Farooq Tariq. Earlier a report of the AWP Saraiki Waseeb was presented. The decisions of the Saraiki Waseeb general body elections were kept intact and a report of the committee would be discussed in next AWP Executive Committee meeting. Zafar Iqbal was elected as president and Suhail Javed was elected as general secretary AWP (SW).

A report by Election Committee was presented by Javed Akhtar deputy secretary AWP. It was agreed to form a new parliamentary board of AWP. That includes Javed Akhtar, Asim Sajad, Shazia Khan and Shahab Khatak. AWP agreed to contest elections from various constituencies in Punjab and Khaiber Pukhtoon Khawa. Greater powers for the local AWP units were stressed and internal democracy of AWP has to make stronger by this election process. Applications from the candidates who want to contest from the constituencies have to be agreed by the local and district committees before they are presented to the parliamentary board.

It was agreed that no election seat adjustment or alliance would be made with religious parties and conservative political parties. The AWP main emphasis is to build the internal structures of the party at this formation stage rather going for an all out election participation on every seat. It was agreed to contest elections where AWP has some significant internal and external presence. Local adjustments with other political parties and groups were agreed.

A pamphlet would be printed with AWP election manifesto to be distributed at mass level. A committee comprising of Professor Jamil Umer, Akhtar Hussain, Shazia Khan, Bukhshal Thallo, Suhail Javed and Shahab Khatak was formed to write the election manifesto of AWP.

After a detail discussion opened by Sher Bano and Shazia Khan on women issue, it was agreed to make necessary changes in party constitution to enable at least 33 percent participation at all level of AWP. It was agreed AWP would organize special women conferences in important cities of Pakistan. 8 March, the international day of women would be celebrated in different parts of Pakistan by AWP unites.

There was detail discussion on non government organizations. Two papers were presented by Professor Jamil Umer and Akhtar Hussain explaining their positions on the issue. It was agreed to participate in social issues related to the uplift of the working class taken up by social organizations. It was agreed that AWP would not do any NGO like projects but raise their funds from their members and supporters as it has done during the first three months of its existence. It was agreed to continue the discussion in the first congress to be held on 21/22^nd September 2013.

A report for the political education of AWP was presented by Akhtar Hussain, secretary AWP Education. It was agreed to hold a two days Socialist school at Khanis Pur during June 2013. There was good discussion for the important of the internal political education for the party membership.

A membership report was presented. 25000 membership forms have been distributed. AWP KP has a target of 25000 memberships by end of May. It was agreed to extend the membership date to 15^th June, three months earlier than the proposed date of the first congress. Special effort s is being made to extent AWP membership among women.

Farooq Tariq