On the occasion of World Economic Forum, Fight Inequality Pakistan and Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee has announced nationwide protests under the slogan “Rein in Billionaires and Profiteers” The World Economic Forum will be held in Davos, Switzerland, on January 18, 2025, where representatives from the world’s wealthiest nations will participate and make anti-people economic decisions.

These decisions will have a directly adverse impact on poorer countries like Pakistan. The protests are organized in 16 cities across the country against the World Economic Forum. These protests have been named Red Line Action, symbolizing “Enough is Enough!” The aim is to highlight the exploitative practices of the capitalist elite.

“We demand an immediate end to the exploitation of workers by billionaire profiteers and a halt to state subsidies provided to capitalists, which only widen the wealth gap. Despite Pakistan being an agricultural country, the current system disproportionately benefits the elite, leaving small and landless farmers in dire straits.

To address this, we call for the redistribution of land among marginalized farmers and an end to corporate farming practices that perpetuate inequality. Additionally, the government must halt the construction of six canals on the Indus River, a project that threatens the livelihoods of local communities and ecosystems.

A minimum monthly wage of PKR 37,000 must be implemented nationwide to ensure workers can meet basic living standards in the face of rising inflation.” Said by Farooq Tariq, General Secretary Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee.

According to a 2023 Oxfam report, the richest 1% in Pakistan owns more wealth than the bottom 70% of the population combined. Meanwhile, nearly 40% of Pakistan’s population lives below the poverty line, earning less than $3.65 per day.

“We demand that government prioritize rehabilitation of the 2022 flood victims who are still to get any relief. On a global level, wealthy nations, responsible for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions, must fulfill their commitments to climate finance and provide immediate support for climate justice, rather than burdening poor nations like Pakistan with debt.

We demand the government to stop borrowing further loans and instead allocate resources to public welfare projects aimed at poverty eradication.” Said by Nisar Shah, National Coordinator of “Fight Inequality Pakistan.”

It is worth nothing that Pakistan ranks among the top ten most vulnerable countries when it comes to climate change, despite contributing less than 1% to global carbon emissions.

Fight Inequality Pakistan and Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee ((Pakistan Peasants Coordination Committee), PKRC)