Pakistan

The South Asian subcontinent is the least gender sensitive region in the world. It is the only region in the world where men outnumber women. The sex ratio is 105.7 men to every 100 women. In Pakistan, women are not only subjected to financial discrimination, but they are also victims of inhuman customs and laws such as Karo Kari, Hadood ordinance, Qasas and marriage to the Quran and half witnesses according to the state law (whereby in court a female witness is only worth half a male witness).

After the struggle of the PTCL workers in Pakistan came to an end some on the left raised criticisms of the PTUDC comrades, insinuating they played a minor role. Here we present an account of the sterling work done by the PTUDC comrades, written by two PTCL workers active in the struggle, and supporters of the PTUDC. Instead of attacks these comrades deserve every bit of support they can get.

On July 7, a rally of more than 2000 students and youth broke the deep silence of the Jhelum Valley road in Muzaffarabad Azad, Kashmir and its surroundings. The participants of the rally waved huge red flags and banners and chanted revolutionary slogans while riding on the roofs of buses and wagons. The convoy disrupted and even paralyzed the routine life of the valley and every viewer called it a “red storm”.

Pakistan is a country where Lenin’s famous phrase “socialism or barbarism” rings absolutely true. The present situation in Pakistan is characterized by fundamental instability. From this instability flow social and class conflicts, which could move Pakistan to the top of the world political agenda in the coming years. Marie Frederiksen in Denmark takes a look at the history of a country torn apart by divisions.

The Musharraf regime wants to privatise Pakistan Steel Mills, the largest industrial complex in the country. The workers at the plant have started a struggle against the privatisation attempt. Discontent among the workers is increasing day by day, and there is now a mood and desire to unite all the trade unions on a single point agenda: “unite to fight and fight to win”. Read the article on the PTUDC website.

Dozens of journalists have been beaten and detained in Islamabad, with police charging the journalists in Lahore. The journalists have staged a sit-in outside Governor House in Karachi, as countrywide rallies were held in Pakistan called by the PFUJ to observe International Press Freedom Day.

The working class in Pakistan is on the move after decades of inactivity. The Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign (PTUDC) organized for May Day on a national level. There was widespread participation of workers, trade union leaders, political activists and youth in the May Day events in 26 different cities. We present here a detailed report of the events.

The arrest, and subsequent release, of comrade Manzoor, the Marxist MP in Pakistan, together with other MPs and thousands of PPP workers and activists was covered by the main TV channels and newspapers in the country. The masses will not forget who the real opponents of the regime are.

The arrest, and subsequent release, of comrade Manzoor, the Marxist MP in Pakistan, together with other MPs and thousands of PPP workers and activists was covered by the main TV channels and newspapers in the country. The masses will not forget who the real opponents of the regime are.