Europe Solidaire Sans Frontières
Likewise previous years, both PKRC/Crofter carried out activities and campaigns on the themes of land rights, food sovereignty, climate justice, debt cancelation, growing inequality, free vaccine for all, against growing price hikes, the harsh conditionalities of IMF and World Bank and against fossil fuel usages for energy production.
Pakistan’s crisis was enhanced during the year 2022 as political instability and uncertainty increased.
Climate disaster 2022
The 2022 floods in Pakistan were the worst in the country’s history. They affected at least 33 million people and killed at least 1,739. The floods also caused widespread damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and livelihoods.
The floods were caused by heavy monsoon rains that began in June 2022. The rains were exacerbated by melting glaciers, which are a result of climate change. The floods affected all four provinces of Pakistan, but the worst-hit areas were Sindh and Balochistan.
The floods destroyed homes, businesses, and schools. They also washed away crops and livestock. The floods also caused widespread waterborne diseases, such as cholera and typhoid.
The floods have had a devastating impact on the people of Pakistan. Many people have lost their homes and livelihoods. The floods have also pushed millions of people into poverty.
The government of Pakistan has declared a state of emergency and is providing relief to the affected people. However, the scale of the disaster is so great that it will take many years for the country to recover.
Impact of the 2022 floods in Pakistan:
• Loss of life: The floods killed at least 1,739 people, including women and children.
• Damage to infrastructure: The floods damaged or destroyed roads, bridges, dams, and other infrastructure.
• Damage to agriculture: The floods destroyed crops and livestock, impacting the livelihoods of millions of people.
• Disruption to water supplies: The floods contaminated water supplies, leading to outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
• Displacement: The floods displaced millions of people, forcing them to leave their homes and seek shelter in camps.
• Economic losses: The floods caused billions of dollars in economic losses, impacting the country’s GDP.
Relief Work
With the support of ESSF and other organisations and also with collections of funds at a camp installed on the main Mall Road of Lahore, PKRC/Crofter did tremendous relief work in flood-affected areas. We provided food items to over 5,000 families, enough for a family of six for over a month. We also provided clothes and shoes to more than 2,000 families in Shikarpur and Mohenjo Daro, Sindh.
In Shikar Pur district of Sindh, PKRC and Crofter Foundation supported the local community to build a water course of 4.8 kilometers in length which was damaged due to a flood. By building this watercourse, the community people and landless peasantry were able to rebuild their 8 fish forms and thousands of acres of land which helped farmers to regenerate their income resources. This watercourse also facilitated around 100 farmers to irrigate their land directly and indirectly.
Apart from the relief work PKRC/CF also conducted actions and activities during the year 2022 to raise the voices against the injustices and inequalities in society. It also made an effort to raise awareness about climate justice, tax injustices, the impacts of raising debt, and how conditionalities of International Financial Institutions that are impacting negatively the working class’s lives. Also, how these conditions are making women’s lives more miserable, particularly in the working class, peasants, and landless agriculture workers.
For the 2022 list of actions and activities see the table below.
Key Achievements climate justice movement (2022) with partial support of ESSF
1. Campaign Base Creation: Engaged 20 grassroots organizations in Punjab and Sindh, represented by 20-25 activists each, through capacity-building workshops focusing on basic education about fossil fuels and their impacts.
2. Geographic Coverage: Focused on Pakistan’s two largest provinces, Punjab and Sindh, and included grassroots women leaders to ensure diverse representation and gender inclusivity.
3. Knowledge Enhancement: Distributed educational materials and pamphlets on fossil fuels, localized for different areas and translated into local languages.
4. Grassroots Support: Mobilized participant organizations for campaign activities, resulting in increased grassroots support and alignment with PKRC’s renewable energy objectives.
5. Stakeholder Engagement: Met with Pakistani parliamentarians to discuss forming a parliamentary caucus on renewable energy, signifying recognition and collaboration potential.
The November 2022 Landless Peasantry conference for Climate Justice and fair compensation led to a series of such activities throughout Sindh.
IIRE Islamabad
The three-day IIRE Islamabad school Khabaki Lake, district Khushab of Punjab, attracted over 50 activists from around the country. The school participants paid the expenditures themselves. However, some subsidy was given from the support of ESSF for the travel of some well-deserved comrades who were not on jobs.
ESSF support is also used to pay regularly a part of expenditures of the office and activities of IIRE Islamabad.
The school has been in function for the last 10 years and has survived on the donations and contributions of FI members and supporters inside Pakistan. IIRE Islamabad is organizing schools several times a year to train the comrades of trade unions and progressive parties in Socialist ideas.
This is an appeal to all contributors, friends, and supporters of ESSF to continue its support for the comrades in Pakistan who are working in an extremely difficult situation and has kept the flag of international solidarity high.
Report by:
Saima Zia (Crofter Foundation), Farooq Tariq (PKRC)
Farooq Tariq
general secretary
Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee - PKRC
ANNEXE: LIST OF Actions /ACTIVITIES 2022
These actions were carried out with main support from the Asian Peoples Movement on Debt and Development and ESSF.
|
DATE |
TITLE OF THE ACTIVITY |
Description |
Participant organizations |
No of participants |
|
21- Jan |
Protest actions against inequalities |
On January 15-22, 2022, we join movements, people’s organizations, and CSOs in over 30 countries around the world in the Fight Inequality Alliance (FIA) for a week of protest actions, demanding governments to Tax the Rich, Not the poor, and Build peoples’ Recovery! The Global Protest aims to demonstrate and strengthen our unity and draw attention to people’s demands to end inequalities everywhere. • January 21: Asian Day of Protest to Fight Inequality where mobilizations and marches will take place in cities and communities where it is safe and possible. We did actions in 10 cities in Pakistan. |
Crofter Foundation Tameer-e-Noh Women Workers Association Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee Labour Education Foundation Sindh Hari Committee Labour Qoumi Movement Haqooq e Khalq Party Awami workers Party- Kashmir |
1200 |
|
22- Jan |
Protests against fossil fuel energy on the occasion of the Chinese lunar year |
PKRC/Crofter organized a demonstration in front of press club in Lahore at the occasion of the Chinese Lunar Year to demand stop funding fossil fuels projects in Pakistan |
Crofter Foundation Tameer-e-Noh Women Workers Association Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee Labour Education Foundation |
60 |
|
8-March |
International Women’s Day |
As we celebrated the International Women’s Day to call attention on the plight of women in the country, also women from all spheres of life participated in the protest March with their demands and issues. |
PKRC/CF |
100 |
|
24-April |
Lahore and Karachi: 1st Pedal for People and Planet Bike action |
Climate activists of the PKRC joined thousands of cyclists in coordinated events held in nine Asian countries on 24 April. A cycle rally was held in Lahore, starting from PCSIR Laboratories and culminating at the Punjab University New Campus bridge on Canal Road, after covering three km distance. The march participants demanded imposition of a climate emergency in the country, discouraging mega dam projects and switching over to sustainable energy systems in order to cater to the growing energy needs. |
Aman Foundation Crofter Foundation Tameer-e-Noh Women Workers Organization Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee Labour Education Foundation Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum |
30 |
|
1-May |
||||
|
27th May, 2022 |
Capacity Building workshop (Campaign against fossil gas) |
As part of its campaign against fossil gas in Pakistan, PKRC in collaboration with APMDD organized a capacity building workshop with the leaders of Bhatta labour Union in Punjab. |
Bhatta Mazdoor Union Punjab Labour Education Foundation Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee Crofter Foundation Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee |
40 |
|
5 June, 2022 |
2nd Pedal for People band Planet Bike action |
PKRC in collaboration with APMDD organized a cycle rally in Lahore to raise awareness on climate and environment. The cycle rally started from Press club and stopped briefly at Sui gas office and concluded at WAPDA house. The cyclists held banners and placards demanding end to the use of fossil fuels such gas, oil and coal. |
Climate Action Pakistan - CAPk Crofter Foundation Aman Foundation Tameer-e-Noh Women Workers Association. Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee |
60 |
|
10-June |
6th capacity building workshop of Oil and Gas Campaign Pakistan in Lahore |
PKRC/CF held capacity building workshop on 19 June for the industrial workers in Lahore’s Sharif Pura area. The campaign focuses on highlighting the environmental consequences of fossil gas is aimed at creating grassroots leadership that could take the message of shifting away from fossil fuels to industries. The workshop was attended by 50 industrial workers. Prepared a report of the event and also the pamphlet disbursed among the participants. |
Haqooq Khalq Party - HKP Labour Education Foundation Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee Crofter Foundation Labour Quomi Movement |
50 |
|
22- June |
Sindh Oil and Gas Campaign lead by PFF: Karachi Capacity building workshop |
PKRC/CF organised first capacity building workshop of Pakistan Gas and Oil Campaign in Karachi, Sindh in collaboration with Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF). 25 community leaders attended this workshop. |
Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum - PFF Pakistan Green Coalition Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee |
25 |
|
23-June |
Sindh Oil and Gas Campaign lead by PFF: Hyderabad Capacity building workshop |
We organised a second capacity building workshop of Pakistan Gas and Oil Campaign in Hyderabad, Sindh in collaboration with Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF). 20 community leaders and members of PFF attended this workshop. |
Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum - PFF Sindh Hari Porhyat Council |
20 |
|
27-June |
Protest action for debt cancellation |
Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee in collaboration with Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD) protested in front of Lahore Press Club today and symbolically repudiated the debts claimed from Asian developing countries |
PKRC/CF Tameer-e-Noh Women Workers Organization |
45 |
|
29- June |
Fosil action against Chinese and Japanese energy companies |
PKRC in collaboration with APMDD held a protest outside the Lahore Press Club. Climate campaigners belonging to different civil society organizations called on the Japanese and Chinese companies to stop funding fossil fuel projects in Pakistan. |
Crofter Foundation Akuwat e Kissan Anjuman Muzareen Punjab - Lahore |
60 |
|
5 -August |
Punjab Oil and Gas Campaign lead by PKRC: 7th Capacity building workshop |
PKRC in collaboration with APMDD organized a capacity building workshop of Gas and Oil Campaign with home-based women workers in Lahore. |
Tameer-e-Noh Women Workers Association. Labour Education Foundation |
35 |
|
1-September |
IMF, World Bank Suspend Pakistan’s Debt Repayments |
PKRC/CF organized protest demonstration in front of press club Lahore to suspend the illegitimate debts and cancel the debt for the rehabilitation of flood effected. |
PKRC CF Labour Education Foundation Tameer-e-Noh Women Workers Organization |
60 |
|
9 -September |
International day of Solidarity with the people of Pakistan Press conference on Suspend Debt Repatriations |
PKRC/CF held press conference and |
PKRC CF Labour Education Foundation Tameer-e-Noh Women Workers Organization |
30 |
|
20-September |
Fossil Action Against Chinese Funding |
Protest action held in front of press club against chinese funding for fossil fuels |
Labour Education Foundation |
30 |
|
22 -Sept |
Fossil action against Chinese funding |
PKRC in collaboration with APMDD held a rally at Charing cross, outside Punjab Assembly in Lahore, on the first year anniversary of Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s policy announcement that China would no longer build new coal-fired power projects abroad. They called on China to “fully act on this pledge and showcase China’s renewable energy leadership by converting those planned but yet to be constructed, coal power projects to renewable energy.” |
Progressive Students Collective Joint Action Committee for People’s Rights - JAC Lahore Tameer-e-Noh Women Workers Association. |
50 |
|
23-24 September |
TAX JUSTICE NOW: towards ending inequalities and building people’s recovery and resilience |
PKRC/CF organized two days National Tax justice Assembly in Lahore on “Tax the Rich, not the Poor” in Lahore on 23-24th September 2022. Almost 57 representatives from 21 organizations from all parts of the country participated in this seminar. |
PKRC CF Tameer-e-nou Working Women Organization Haqooq-e-Khalq Part Progressive Student Collective Cholistan Developmet Council Baithek Swera Foundation Kissan Ittehad Ittehad Akhawat Kissan Labour Education Foundation Awami Workers Party- Kashmir |
57 |
|
30-Sept |
Climate Justice March |
APMDD Pakistan Participated in Climate Justice March organized by HKP, PSC and PKRC with support of APMDD. |
Haqooq Khalq Party - HKP Progressive Students Collective |
830 |
|
2- Oct |
3rd Pedal for People and Planet bike action |
This bike action is organized by PKRC in collaboration with APMDD. Cycling enthusiasts and climate campaigners march outside Lahore press club in order to raise awareness about the climate change and to demand the government to shift to renewable energy systems. The bike enthusiasts were also carrying out placards with demands such “End Fossil Fuels”, “Clean energy now.” |
Climate Action Pakistan Joint Action Committee for People’s Rights - JAC Lahore Haqooq Khalq Party - HKP Progressive Students Collective Tameer-e-Noh Women Workers Organization |
50 |
|
13-Oct |
The Global Week of Action for Justice and Debt Cancellation Seminar in Lahore, Pakistan |
A seminar held in press club for debt Justice and debt cancellation. It was highlighted that country’s present economic situation is getting worse because of debt repayments and surcharges. Debt cancellation for some years can provide the government an opportunity to spend the budget on people. |
Climate Action Pakistan Joint Action Committee for People’s Rights - JAC Lahore Haqooq Khalq Party - HKP Progressive Students Collective Tameer-e-Noh Women Workers Organization |
120 |
|
14-Oct |
Action against World Bank fossil funding |
PKRC/CF in collaboration with APMDD held a protest against World Bank’s lending policies that trapped developing countries in climate disasters and unsustainable debt burdens. They called on the World Bank to make a total exit from financing fossil fuel projects and cancel the fossil fuel debts of developing countries. |
Labour Education Foundation Crofter Foundation PKRC |
25 |
|
17-Oct |
Food and Climate action on World Food Day 2022 |
Farmer communities in Okara district protest on World Food Day demanding government for climate action, right to land and food. The protesters’ demands include the strict implementation of price controls for basic commodities, aid for small-scale farmers and fishers, swift and urgent transition to agricultural production for domestic food consumption, and an end to agri-land conversion and reclamation. |
Anjuman Muzareen Punjab - Okara Haqooq Khalq Party - HKP PKRC CF |
250 |
|
6- Nov |
4th Pedal for People and Planet bike action |
The cycling rally, organized by PKRC, demanded rich countries to pay their fair share in mitigating climate change. The rally was organized to raise demands on the upcoming COP27 conference. |
Climate Action Pakistan Crofter Foundation Tameer-e-Noh Women Workers Association. |
50 |
|
16- Nov |
Action for Climate and Economic Justice |
PKRC calls on the governments of rich countries to deliver solutions to the climate and economic crises gripping the world. As world leaders and decision-makers meet in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, and Bali, Indonesia for the COP27 climate summit and G20 summit, PKRC organized a protest outside Lahore press club to demand the climate reparations and debt suspension for Pakistan. |
Tameer-e-Noh Women Workers Association Labour Education Foundation Crofter Foundation Joint Action Committee for People’s Rights - JAC Lahore Human Rights Commission Of Pakistan - HRCP |
60 |
|
24- Nov |
Actions in Pakistan for GDOA 2022 Industry Meeting with Women |
PKRC/CF organized a working class women’s meeting in Lahore in solidarity gathering near Lahore to demand and call for the end of unjust taxation against them, pushing forward tax justice in the extractives to be used for the advancement of women’s rights. |
PKRC CF |
63 |
|
26-Nov |
Peasant Conference in Sindh |
PKRC organized a one-day conference of landless peasantry known as Harris, with the local leadership of two villages. The participants reflected on the scale of devastation and impacts that flood caused recently. The local speakers asserted that local landlords with big landholdings used their influence and power to change the natural course of water and channelized flood-water into the lands of peasants which caused immense destruction. |
PKRC CF Hari Committee Sindh |
500 |
|
27-28 Nov |
A visit to flood affected villages in Sindh |
A delegation of Pakistan Kisan Rabita Committee comprising 14 members including 2 from Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum visited two villages near Mohenjodaro in Larkana district of Sindh on 28 November 2022. The visit was a part of the Labour Relief campaign that was initiated in 2005 by PKRC and other social organisations in the aftermath of the earthquake and floods afterwards. The delegation visited two villages that were affected in the recent floods in Pakistan. The visit of PKRC was facilitated by a recently-elected local councilor and a social activist Majeed Pirzado. |
To send donations
The PKRC [2] is one of the main partner of Europe solidaire sans frontières (ESSF) in Pakistan and Asia and we have supported previous Labour Relief Campaigns.
We transfer all of the donations we receive to our partners. The activity of our association is entirely ensured by its members, none of whom are salaried in any way. We assume our own operating costs.
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ESSF
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93100 Montreuil
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Bank Account:
Crédit lyonnais
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ESSF, account number 445757C
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