While the accelerating danger of war between India and Pakistan, a peace demonstration in Lahore on 20 December demanded no war between the two countries. Over 100 activists of Labour Party Pakistan and Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party demanded an end of war fanaticism.

They demonstrators were chanting slogans " we want peace, Peace not war, bread not bomb, jobs not bombs, No to imperialism and no the religious fundamentalism, long live the friendship of peoples of Pakistan and India, Labour against war, people against war and we want peace. They were holding banners and posters.

Speaking on the occasion, Farooq Tariq spokesperson Labour Party Pakistan said that we are not the policies of Pakistan Peoples Party who are siding with imperialism. “We totally oppose the policies of the religious fanatics who are calling for a holly war on the name of Jihad with India. We do not want a war in any case. The Indian and Pakistani ruling classes are acting on the direction of American imperialism and American imperialism is not creating a friendship between the two countries but promoting a war like situation. However, these countries are partners with Americans on the so-called war on terror but American imperialism is the one that is promoting terrorism internationally. We must demand the two governments to hold talks independently and without any interference of Americans” he told the demonstrators.

Ali Jan of CMKP spoke about the state responsibilities in promoting the peace and not war. “we must a peoples movement to stop the fanaticism of war. We must fight the religious fundamentalism who are promoting the war like situation” Ali Jan said.

The demonstrators were holding red flags and thousands of passer byes saw the unique peace demonstration at the time when most of the people are told to be ready for war. Several people waved to the demonstrators.

Report by: Javed Ahmad

Joint Left Demo for Peace

Labour Party of Pakistan (LPP)

Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party (CMKP)

Demonstration for Peace

Venue: Charing Cross, Lahore

In the aftermath of the horrendous Mumbai terrorist attacks, whose perpetrators must be brought to justice, a whirlwind of jingoism, national chauvinism, and bigotry has been propagated by right-wing obscurantist elements of both India and Pakistan. This hate mongering is not only damaging the fragile peace of the region but also bringing it closer to a war between the two neighboring countries. The media in both countries, which should have acted responsibly for the cause of peace, has also acted as a mere mouthpiece of the right-wing forces, suspending all critical faculties and adding fuel to fire.

It is time for peace-loving people on both sides of the border to stand up against the politics of war and hate in their own countries. The people of India have already held rallies for peace all over the country and condemned the war mongering going on in their country. To compliment their efforts and to raise the slogan of harmony, peace-lovers and progressives in Pakistan have also decided to demonstrate against the forces pushing us towards a disastrous enmity.

We welcome all those who are interested in maintaining harmony in the region to demonstrate with us for peace against the politics of war and hate.

Labour Party of Pakistan(LPP)

Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party (CMKP)

Dear Comrades,

Thanks for sending this important message.It’s indeed very much appropriate to organize such programme at this critical time.Our solidarity support to your effort!Hope it will be a real success.Let us all unitedly struggle against the agents of Imperialism.

In solidarity,

Ashok Choudhury

NFFPFW,India