Pakistan YFIS country wide protest

In solidarity with the protests being organised by students and youth organisations in the United States and many other countries around the world against imperialist aggression in Iraq, YFIS in Pakistan organised protest rallies and demonstrations in several cities around the country. Reports of these activities are pouring in from various cities and remote areas of country through different channels due to the unevenness of technological development here.

Raheem Yar Khan YFIS demonstration

Raheem Yar Khan is an important industrial city in south Punjab. It has huge industrial complexes owned by multinationals like Unilever. On March 5, YFIS organised a demonstration against imperialist aggression. The demonstration started from railway chowk and was led by the district president of the PYO, Haider Chugtai; the vice president of the Punjab PSF, Mahmood al Hassan; the Regional organizer of YFIS, Fayyaz Khan; the Area organizer for Raheem Yar Khan, Faheem Nawaz Khan; and by comrades Raees Kajal and Ijaz Khan. A huge number of students, youth from PSF, PYO and YFIS, along with representatives from different institutes and progressive activists and journalist participated in demonstration. The Leader of Saraki Sanjh Ustad Ijaz, workers from the Pakistan People’s Party, president Bazam-e-Faiz Advocate Ramzan Jatala, and PTUDC Representative Shahid ullah, were amongst those demonstrating. Participants were holding placards, and were shouting slogans against America and its allies. There were different slogans, such as Down with American imperialism, Workers of the world unite, But the main slogan was “Class war to crush imperialist aggression”

Thatha YFIS Demo

They were also waving red flags and banners with slogans. The atmosphere in Raheem Yar Khan was electrified once again with the slogans of socialism. At its peak the demonstration turned into a rally, which went to galaxy chowk through shahi road, shouting slogans against Imperialism and for socialist revolution. Finally we reached the press club. Many participants addressed the rally at the end of the demo. First of all Doctor Kamran declared this demonstration to be a starting point for socialist revolution. Then district president Zahid Kanju emphasized the importance of class unity in order to fight against imperialist aggression, he also congratulated YFIS for taking the initiative against this aggression, and organizing such a big demonstration. President Bazam-e-Faiz Advocate Ramzan Jatala said that this demonstration against US imperialism by YFIS is of great historical importance. Minority leader Bhayia Ram Anjum declared his commitment to the movement, and assured us that he would work in collaboration with YFIS. He also said that this aggression is neither against any religion nor for any religion, this war is for capitalist interests, and the only way to fight this is with the unity of the working class from all over the world.

Revolution has sprung from this worldwide crisis, all over the world including here in Pakistan there are huge demonstrations against imperialist aggression. YFIS in Pakistan has also decided to show its unity with workers all over the world. Our main purpose is simply to unite the youth and the working class and continue the fight against capitalism, because the only way to defeat imperialist war is through organised class struggle. We condemn American imperialist aggression and fully support the Iraqi people, these in short were the words of the speakers including Regional organizer Fayyaz Khan, PTUDC organizer Raees Kajal, YFIS Area organizer Faheem Nawaz, Rabani Baluch, and PYO District President Haider Chugtai.

By Fayyaz Khan,
Regional Organizer
Southern Punjab.

YFIS Lahore demonstration against American aggression

On March 5, 2003 YFIS in Lahore organised a demonstration against American imperialist aggression. More than 150 participated in the demonstration; including significant numbers of university students and women. There have been a number of demonstrations organised by YFIS in Lahore, but this demonstration has clearly shown that as imperialism is heading towards war, the mood of the people in general is changing aggressively. It seems as if their every action to meet their own interests is at the same time having a great impact on the working class, and each new action of the imperialists serves to convince people further that capitalism is a horror without end, and has to be overthrown in order to give humanity a safe future.

Participants in the demo for example carried placards with different slogans, which they also chanted like, for example, down with imperialism, Down With Capitalism, Workers of the World Unite, For Socialist Revolution, Class War is the Only Solution to Imperialist Aggression. The main slogan of the demo was “Class war to crush imperialist aggression!”

Demonstrators also burned Bush’s effigy in front of the press club. There was a large number of journalists present and therefore we are expecting widespread coverage from all the leading newspapers in the country.

At the end of the demo YFIS national organizer, Comrade Yasir Khan, addressed a rally. In his speech he was able to throw light on the character of the war and the role of youth all over the world in fighting against such aggression and for a socialist future. Comrade Shaihda Jabeen , central organizer of the Pakistan Peoples Party also addressed the rally, emphasizing the vital importance of the unity of the working class of the world. In addition she declared this era to be the final countdown to the defeat of capitalism by the socialist revolution.

By Nirwan Yazdani
YFIS, Lahore.

YFIS Thatha demonstration

Youth for International Socialism in Thatha organised a demonstration against imperialist aggression in front of the Thatha press club. Thatha is an important historical city and the cultural hub of Sindh. More than 50 people gathered to participate in the demonstration. They were holding placards against America and England and shouting slogans against imperialism and for international socialist revolution.

The main slogan was “Class war to crush imperialist aggression!”

At the end of the demonstration we held a public meeting. Humayun Basrani acted as stage secretary. Ashfaq Bejaro, Mahboob Basrani, Faqeer Zameer Haqani and Anwar Aqeeli addressed the meeting, condemning imperialist aggression against Iraq and declaring America and its allies the biggest terrorists in the world.

They added that this aggression is not against Saddam Hussein, he is actually their own toy. Their real intentions are clear, they want to capture the rich resources of the Middle East, especially the oil reserves. In addition to this, their only war is with the Iraqi working class, children and women. At the end speakers made it clear that they are against any imperialist aggression and imperialist war, and instead pledge their full support to the class war, and for the final victory of international socialism.

by Manzoor Abbasi
Organizer YFIS
Thatha, Sindh.