In Karachi a meeting was held on Nov 06 at Aurat Foundation offices where
over 50 people, half old and half young, came to attend. These were
professionals, ngo, old and new left and students of private colleges,
activist journalists.A vibrant discussion ensued about the police attack and
organisational problems we faced at Karachi Press Club on Nov 05 and the
confusion that led to frustration on part of many youngsters.
On Tuesday Nov 06 hundreds of students in Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad
staged a 500 strong demo against military rule. Teachers also joined the
demonstration. A day earlier over 400 students of Lahore University of
Management Science (Lahore) staged a demonstration inside the campus against
imposition of Emergency Rule.
A large number of students and young activists are doing a lot of
protest-related work. This includes distributing leaflets, posters,
stickers, sending emails to millions, engaging a large number in signature
campaigns. Most of this relates to information sharing and analysing what
they do in their actions.
At the Karachi activists meeting the participants condemnd the police action
across Pakistan and demanded release of thousands arrested including 6 on
the Nov 5 KPC protest.
Participants were concerned about the arrests of anyone in Karachi and other
cities who dare to come to streets to demonstrate against the imposed
emergency.
Nevertheless protests are being staged in other cities. the young were eager
to protest.Two committees ’action’ and ’solidarity’ were formed. The
Solidarity committee will contact and mobilize more organisations and
generate solidarity with the arrested. the action committee will stage
’flying pickets’ (demos) and do graffiti and distribute leaflets. It will
devise means to contact more students and activists to broaden the protests.
Riaz Ahmed
for International Socialists (Pakistan)
0092-333-2298922