Pakistan

The comrades in Pakistan have been massively distributing the following leaflet in Rwalpindi, where Bhutto's protest was to be held.

Comrades in Pakistan have been intervening in the student protests against Musharraf. This report provides details on some of the protests and arrests that have taken place.

We have just received the news that Chaudhary Munir Ahmed, a member of the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign and younger brother of Manzoor Ahmed, Member of Parliament and President of the PTUDC, has been arrested together with some labour activists and leaders involved in the PTUDC together with other lawyers. We need to raise as wide a campaign as possible in their defence.

There is much talk in the media about the various factors that have led General Musharaff to impose an Emergency in Pakistan. One very important factor that they all seem to conveniently ignore is the rising mood of trade union and working class militancy. This is taking place as the Pakistani economy plunges into the deepest crisis in its history. The scene is being prepared for an almighty workers' backlash.

On Saturday November 3 President Pervez Musharraf declared virtual martial law, imposing a state of emergency throughout Pakistan, suspending the Constitution and replacing superior courts. This amounts to his second coup d’etat after he seized power in October 12, 1999. It is a desperate move that underlines the extremely unstable nature of the regime, which is losing support by the day.

Both permanent and temporary workers at Unilever in Pakistan have come under attack from the bosses, who would like to change their status to contract workers, thereby avoiding the payment of medical and other benefits. In defence of their jobs and livelihoods the workers have launched a struggle and called for union solidarity.

The multi-million reception for Benzir Bhutto last week, and the subsequent terrorist bomb attack, revealed more clearly in one day all the deep contradictions of Pakistani society than anything else could have. The hopes and aspirations of the masses have been aroused, and they want solutions to their problems. No matter what happens in the days, weeks, and months to come, revolutionary storms loom large on the horizon.

We have just received this report from the Pakistani Marxists who intervened massively in the welcoming rally to receive Benazir Bhutto. Their ideas connected with many people on the rally. Unfortunately all this was cut across by the suicide bombings. The comrades turned their attention to helping the wounded. On Monday we will be publishing a lengthier analysis.

We often hear of the brutal conditions that workers have to suffer in underdeveloped countries. Here we have an example of a famous multinational, Unilever, which is making huge profits while paying starvation wages and using draconian measures when the workers dare to protest. Send messages of protest and let these workers know they are not alone.

The influence and strength of the Marxists in Kashmir continues to grow apace. Testimony to this is the fact that around 800 attended the regional conference held last Sunday, September 9. This all bodes well for the future revolutionary events.

On September 7, the South Punjab Labour Conference was held in Multan with many delegates from workplaces and workers’ leaders present. The conference was organised by the Multan Joint Action Committee and the purpose of the gathering was to unite all the various struggles of the Pakistani workers on one platform.

There are very repressive labour laws in the United Arab Emirates. In spite of this a strike has erupted at the Consolidated Construction International Company (CCIC) in Abu Dhabi. The official media is not reporting on this. Send the government and the company a message letting them know we know what is going on.