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The 5th LPP congress:
Bravura expression of the growing Left
influence in Pakistan
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 b,
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.
Report by Farooq Tariq
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