The biggest crash in the history of capitalism in 2008 has created a new “normality” across the planet. This has led to vicious cuts and severe attacks upon the workers in most countries. The welfare states in Europe and elsewhere are being aggressively dismantled. After the failure of Keynesianism the neo-liberal model of capitalism, known as trickle-down economics, Thatcherism or Reaganomics has been an even bigger disaster.

Passing through the streets of Quetta, one is struck by the escalating chaos, crumbling infrastructure, dithering writ of the state and a malaise that hangs in the air. Even after a gap of a few months the decline is glaringly evident. The fear of state terrorism and target killings on national and ethnic lines is very palpable. And the misery, poverty and deprivation are much worse in the rest of Baluchistan.

The 93^rd Anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution was celebrated this year with great zeal and enthusiasm in Quetta (Balochistan). The function was arranged by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign on the evening of 1^st November at 3pm in the Khurshid Labour Hall. Comrade Lal Khan was the chief guest.

In Pakistan the crisis in the power sector has affected the whole society for many years. Long power cuts and ever increasing electricity bills have made the lives of ordinary people hell. One of the main reasons for all this was the privatisation of the power generating sector many years ago.

Student protests are on the increase also in Pakistan. At the Agriculture University in Faisalabad the Revolutionary Council [Inqlabi Council], with a tradition going back to 1968, has been relaunched by Marxist students and in a recent meeting they called, close to 700 students turned up.

Revolutionary periods are historical exceptions. The masses enter the arena of history to transform their destiny with their own bare hands. On October 18, 2007 we witnessed one such moment when Benazir Bhutto returned from her last exile. A vast sea of the oppressed masses converged onto the streets of Karachi. Estimates vary from about 1.5 to 2.5 million.

The mightiest imperial power in history is in the throes of decay and degeneration. A crumbling economy, record deficits and wars they cannot win have shattered the confidence of the Unites States ruling class. Its strategists are lurching from one blunder to another. The highest ever unemployment, a jobless recovery, pessimistic economic forecasts and the ever rising debts have created uncertainty amongst the working masses and doom and gloom overshadows society.

Long power cuts, tremendous hikes in tuition fee and other dues, a ban on student unions, an increasing presence of security forces inside the university and other brutal measures against the students have forced them to come out and protest for their demands.

As the misery in the flood affected areas continues, so do the efforts of the PTUDC. In the present situation where the water has started to recede, the problems of people at large have started to increase with unprecedented levels of hunger, inflation, disease and unemployment.

We are living in the first decade of the 21^st Century, a time when the march of technology and science has achieved miracles. We can put a man on the moon and send out satellites to explore the furthest reaches of the solar system and beyond. And yet in the year 2010, millions of men and women are reduced to the most primitive level, bordering on barbarism. That was true in Pakistan even before the floods. Now millions of poor people are clinging onto life, and their grasp grows weaker by the moment.

Where local landlords and bourgeois politicians have tried to defend their economic interests at the expense of the flood victims, the comrades of the PTUDC have given a lead in organising the masses in committees to run the relief effort themselves. This shows what is possible when a revolutionary lead is given.

Protests have been organized by the Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation (JKNSF) in Pakistani-held Kashmir to express solidarity with the revolutionary movement in Indian-held Kashmir.

The corridors of power from Srinagar to Delhi and from Islamabad to Washington have been shaken by the uprising of Kashmiri youth. For the past ten weeks, major parts of the valley have seen widespread protests, strikes and unrest. Everyday life has been brought to a standstill in most districts including Srinagar by this forceful movement. And the attempts to crush the movement on the part of the state apparatus are adding fuel to the fire.

27 April marks the anniversary of the 1978 Saur Revolution of Afghanistan. This article, originally written in 2010, gives an excellent account of these events which are often conveniently 'forgotten' by the Bourgeois media.

Floods continue to devastate Pakistan and yet help to the victims is painfully slow. The government and the rich of Pakistan are more concerned about protecting property than helping the millions affected. In this dramatic situation the comrades of the PTUDC continue to do all they can with the meagre resources available. Here we have a report on their activities in Sindh.