The leaders of the Awami Jamhoori Tehreek (Peoples Democratic Movement) have urged the working class of Pakistan to rise up against imperialism and religious fundamentalism. Addressing a joint press conference at Lahore Press Club on 30 July, Abid Hasan Minto, Rasool Bukhsh Paleejo and Farooq Tariq said that we would oppose any imperialist military intervention in Pakistan.. They condemned the built up of NATO forces at Pakistan borders.

Disclosing the decisions of AJT after a day long meeting on 29 July in Rawalpindi, the Left leaders told the press that the religious extremist are providing an excuse to the imperialist forces to intervene in Pakistan. They condemned the burning of girl’s schools, killing of innocent people and suicidal attacks particularly in tribal areas. “The religious fundamentalism has nothing to offer to the working class of Pakistan. We are totally oppose to the fascist tactics used by religious extremist” the Left leaders told the print and electronic media at the press conference.

Awami Jamhoori Tehreek leaders condemned the present government tactics to negotiate with the religious fundamentalist and agreeing on “Shariat laws” being imposed in some areas by force. “Shariat Laws” are totally in contradiction with the constitution of Pakistan. Every one in Pakistan must have a democratic right to form groups and parties according to their own ideas and should not be forced to accept the dictation of the extremist groups. The Left alliance leaders demanded to the government to encourage the civil society actors in the tribal areas to combat the onslaught of religious extremism and the fight against the threat of imperialists attack. Only a mass movement in Pakistan can stop the threat of an imperialist attack and the growing influence of religious fundamentalism.

Answering a question, they told the media that All Parties Democratic Movement is not a religious alliance. Its initial programme is to fight against the militarization, imperialism and for a just democratic Pakistan. The Left is fighting the ideas of religious extremism and APDM does not support any form of terrorism, individual or state level. The Left parties will support the call for an all out general strike on 1^st of September 2008 called by APDM for the restoration of judges and to stop the policies that are responsible for consistent price hike.

The AJT leaders opposed the withdrawal of state subsidies and neo liberal agenda of Pakistan peoples Party Government. It declared its total opposition to privatization. The AJT will support all the movements of the peasants and workers against price hike.

The new office bearers of AJT announced at the press conference are Abid Hasan Minto convener, Farooq Tariq general secretary and Abdul Qadir Ranto deputy secretary. The AJT also announced a three days conference on 3-5 October 2008 to discuss the present political situation and perspectives for future.

Report by: Tariq Mehmood

Awami Jamhoor Forum invited to join Awami Jamhoori Tehreek

July 31, 2008

Awami Jamhori Forum (Peoples Democratic Forum), a progressive group based in several parts of Punjab has been invited formally to join Awami Jamhoori Tehreek, the Left alliance in Pakistan.

The decision in this regard was taken at a one day meeting of the leaders of AJT on 29 July at Rawalpindi.

AJF publishes a regular monthly paper called Awami Jamhoori Forum.

AJF works to build up a people’s movement at gross root level by organizing regular study circles, meetings, workshops, seminars and by publishing leaflets and a monthly paper.