Farooq Tariq

Pakistan It is over 20 million now The flood is still on dangerous levels in several parts of Pakistan. The numbers affected by the flood have gone over 20 million. More torrential rains are forecasted by the weather department. This is been considered one of the most devastating flood in world history. UN has once again appeal for donations for Pakistan. There has been very slow response internationally to help Pakistan in this most devastating period. - read article...

Pakistan Pakistan must refuse foreign debt repayments, divert amount for relief & rehabilitation of flood-hit communities Labour Relief Campaign is a network of 8 social and political organization of Pakistan that include National Trade Union Federation, Women Workers Help Line, Progressive Youth Front, Labour Party Pakistan, Pakistan For Palestine, CADTM Pakistan, Labour Education Foundation and Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee. It held a Press Conference at the Lahore Press Club on Friday, August 13, 2010 addressed by Abdul Khaliq and Farooq Tariq calling for Pakistan to refuse foreign debt repayments and use the money to help flood victims. - read article...

Pakistan Losing lives to form trade unions On 6th July while Mustansar Randhawa was listening to a worker who had not been paid his wages by a textile boss, an unknown person with a Kalashnikov entered the front room and fired. Mustansar tried to save his life by running to the next room but 10 people were determined to finish him off - read article...

Pakistan Soldarity call for striking workers in Faisalabad In the Faisalabad region of Pakistan, the Labour Qaumi movement called a strike starting on 19th July to press the 17% wage rise accorded to private sector workers under the latest agreement. Farooq Tariq of the Labour Party of Pakistan has sent us these daily reports on the movement. - read article...

Pakistan The first victory for striking workers This afternoon (22nd July), after 17 days of strike by over 20,000 power looms workers in the Jhang district, the bosses agreed to meet the demands. The district coordination officer (DCO) announced at the textile workers’ strike camp that all workers would be issued social security cards. At a meeting the director of social security, the district administration and employers jointly agreed. This will be first time that industrial workers in the Jhang district will be able to receive the benefits of social security, including free health service, special marriage and death grants and free education for their children at social security schools. - read article...

Pakistan A workers’ election campaign against feudalism and capitalists On 1st May 2010, over 5000 industrial workers participated in a public meeting at Suddar in Faisalabad. Renowned Punjabi poet Baba Najmi thrilled the crowd with his revolutionary poems. Class consciousness was at its best at this election meeting for Mian Abdul Qayum, Labour Party Pakistan’s candidate for a Punjab Assembly seat. He is not a politician but a workers’ leader of power looms and textile workers in Faisalabad, Pakistan’s third largest city. - read article...

Pakistan Help us build a credible alternative Dear friends, Help us to put forward a credible alternative to the politics of the rich An Appeal to all friends in Social and political circles - read article...

Pakistan Bravura expression of growing left influence in Pakistan The 5th LPP congress The two-day Labour Party Pakistan Fifth congress helped to advance the revolutionary process in Pakistan. It brought together comrades from different traditions and trends to discuss the central topic: “build a mass working-class party independent of the influence of the capitalists and feudal elements.” The congress was a bravura expression of the growing influence and strength of emerging left-wing politics in Pakistan. - read article...

Pakistan Building the Labour Party Pakistan The political perspectives of the LPP have been put to the test several times in a rapidly changing political situation. From day one we opposed General Musharaf military dictatorship. We oppose both American imperialism and religious fanaticism while some feel they must support one side or the other. - read article...

Pakistan A historic gathering of workers and peasants On 29th January an historic gathering took place at Faisalabad, the third largest city in Pakistan. The event was jointly organized by the Labour Qaumi (National) Movement and the Anjuman Mozareen Punjab (Punjab Tenants Association), two movements of workers and peasants that, by their defiant activities in several Punjabi districts, have caught the imagination of thousands. - read article...

Pakistan Appeal to support families of four dead comrades Team lost their lives for the cause of downtrodden masses We have lost our four most brilliant comrades Abdul Salam, Najma Khanum, Rehana Kausar and Wahid Baloch in a road accident on 13th December 2009 near Ormara, Baloachistan. They were in the coastal region, one of the most deprived areas of the country, to organize the home based women workers (HBWW) on one platform. - read article...

Pakistan Telecom workers fight privatisation Over 62000 workers have been taking part in one of the most militant actions by a section of the working class in Pakistan. Workers across Pakistan have taken over the telephone offices. - read article...

Earthquake Tariq Ali speaks at Labour Relief Camp in Lahore Renowned Left activist and writer Tariq Ali visited the Labour relief camp at regal Chouk this afternoon. He spoke about the need for popular solidarity, and how aid through official channels is often eaten up by corrupt officials. - read article...

Pakistan Earthquake Labour Relief latest report The Labour Party Pakistan has started building one hundred shelter homes for victims of the earthquake in the area of Paniola, district Rawalakot. - read article...

Pakistan LPP organises 5000 strong anti-WTO rally Thousands of Labour Party Pakistan activists demonstrated today (Tuesday 6 December) in Lahore against the imperialist onslaught of privatization and the WTO. - read article...

Pakistan LPP demonstrators greet Bush The Labour Party Pakistan demonstrated in Lahore and Karachi on March 2 against President Bush’s visit to the country. The protests were joined by the main radical social movements. - read article...

Pakistan Brick kiln worker revolt against slave labour Brick kiln workers in Pakistan are fighting attempts by employers to reintroduce bonded labour. - read article...

World Social Forum WSF Karachi - A short report Over 35000 attended WSF Karachi, an unprecedented event in the history of Pakistan during the course of five days. Over 300 events attracted hundreds of activists from different walk of life. Activists from 59 countries participated in the event. - read article...

Pakistan Gorja - a great victory for textile workers The 39 days strike by some 15,000 textile workers at Gojra ended in a stunning victory for the workers. This did not come without sacrifices by the workers involved in the strike. - read article...

Pakistan Massive peasant conference demands end of feudalism A peasant conference held in Lahore on 4 February and attended by well over 6000 people demanded an immediate end to feudalism. Organized by the Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee PKRC (Peasants’ Coordination Committee), speakers stressed the need for land reform and an end to the militarization of agriculture. - read article...

Pakistan Aisha Amin: peace hero Labour Party Pakistan activist confirmed dead Aisha Amin, (73) a Labour Party Pakistan activist from Shahdra Lahore, was declared dead today three days after being listed as missing after the Delhi-Lahore train bomb blast. - read article...

Pakistan LPP postpone congress to join the advocates’ movement Rallies on 26th March in six cities Labour Party Pakistan has postponed its scheduled three days congress. The congress was due to be held from 24-26th March at Lahore. This is to join the mass movement against the military regime. - read article...

Pakistan Brick kiln workers strike for higher wages, against bonded labour Hundreds of ultra-exploited brick kiln workers are on strike in the Nesher Feroz district of Sind province - for better wages, and against bonded labour servitude. - read article...

Pakistan A press conference that went ahead There were three attempts to stop a press conference that went ahead finally on 22nd May at Lahore Press Club. The press conference was organized by Anjaman Mozareen Punjab AMP Lahore unit ( Punjab Tenants Association), the peasant movement that has fought against the Military Farms administration in Okara and other districts of Punjab. - read article...

Pakistan Against the repression of the democratic movement Following a new wave of arrests in late September, Europe solidaire sans frontières has relaunched the international solidarity campaign that was organized after the arrest of Farooq Tariq and several hundred people in May-June 2007. - read article...

Pakistan Workers take over Sugar Mill in Sind Over 1600 workers from Alnoor Sugar Mill Moro, Sind took over the factory today on 12 March 2008. They occupied all the administration departments of the Mill and asked the General Manager (GM) of the Mill to sit on the floor. - read article...

Pakistan Socialists save Christians’ lives Churches and Christians’ homes being burnt Shabir Ahmad, a Labour Party Pakistan leader at Gojra was able to save the lives of several Christians today with the help of LPP activists when fundamentalists tried to burn the homes of Christians. - read article...

Pakistan Four Labour Party leaders killed Four LPP leaders died in a road accident yesterday in Baluchistan. They were coming back after meetings to organise home-based women workers. Three of them are shown in this photograph, taken at Khanis Pur Murree last year during a socialist school. - read article...

Pakistan What to do about Religious Fundamentalism? Pakistan has been top of the world news with the recent visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to firm up Pakistan support for US policy in the region. This article examines the role of religious fanatics in Pakistan politics and US responsibility for their current strength. - read article...

Pakistan Marxist leader killed in suicidal attack A prominent labour leader Master Khudad Khan was killed in suicidal attack in Peshawar on 15 October. He was on his way for a meeting and was passing by an intelligence center when a religious fanatic blew himself killing him and several others on the spot. - read article...

Pakistan Why Tariq Mehmood was arrested in Gojra? On the 9th of August 2009, Tariq Mehmood, a human rights activists and general secretary of the Labour Party Pakistan in Toba Tek Singh district issued a press release to journalists in Toba Tek Singh. He alleged that eight Christian women were raped in the attack on Korian village in Gojra Tehsil on the 28th of July attack by Muslim fanatics. - read article...

International Finance Appeal Help fight against Taliban and military operations Donations urgently needed by Pakistan’s Labor Relief Campaign This is a formal appeal by the Labor Relief Campaign to help in the fight against Taliban and military operations. The purpose is to provide immediate help to some of the more than 1.5 million internally displaced people from the Malakand Division of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) in Pakistan. - read article...

Pakistan Defending despotic decisions is problematic The Pakistan People’s Party leadership has a problem on its hands. There are not many ways to defend the governor of Punjab’s 25 February 2009 ruling, which imposed a two-month suspension of the Punjab Assembly. While talking to Kamran Khan on channel Geo, Mian Raza Rabbani most respected and moderate leader of the PPP and chairman of the Senate—indicated it was necessary to stop the “prevailing state of anarchy.” - read article...

Pakistan A government in pandemonium The first nine months of Pakistan Peoples Party rule Instability, price hikes, growing unemployment and rising debts are the hallmarks of the first nine months of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government. There are daily demonstrations across Pakistan around one or another of these issues. - read article...

Pakistan Zero fervour for elections PPP’s view during Pakistan’s most colourless campaign No election excitement. No street corner meetings or large-scale public rallies. The main leadership of those parties participating in the elections plan no national tours. It could be the most colorless election in the history of Pakistan. - read article...

Pakistan PPP refuses to break with feudal traditions Hereditary Bhutto dynasty continues Appointment of 19-year-old Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as the new chair of Pakistan Peoples Party is an attempt to keep the feudal traditions of politics in South Asia. - read article...

Pakistan Labour Party Pakistan leader killed in suicidal attack Comrade Abdullah Qureshi (72) is no no longer with us. A member of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) provincial council of LPP died in a suicidal attack in Swat valley. He was one the best known senior Left leaders of the valley. - read article...

Pakistan LPP - New rules to bring more internal democracy Labour Party Pakistan fourth conference concluded - Over 450 attended the public seminar by AJT Nisar Shah elected as new general secretary More women comrades elected to National Committee A staggering $ 9500 pledged by 126 delegates - read article...

Pakistan The remaking of the movement There are daily demonstrations against the military dictatorship all over Pakistan. Students, lawyers, journalists and others from the civil society are in the lead this time. - read article...

Benazir assassination Unprecedented mass reaction Pakistan has never seen so many people protesting in streets all over as been the case during the last two days. They were all united across Pakistan to condemn the brutal murder of Benazir Bhutto. - read article...

Pakistan LPP Vows to Resist Draconian Emergency Hails lawyers for taking up the fight - Lends full support to resisting judges Lahore: The Labour Party Pakistan (LPP) has strongly condemned the Musharraf regime for imposing Emergency thus depriving the people of Pakistan of their already-limited basic human and democratic rights. - read article...

Pakistan Day Two of Underground Life Military regime targets socialists Today is my second day in underground life. - read article...

Pakistan Escaped by Seconds The fourth day of underground life On the third day of my underground period, I escaped an arrest by seconds. It was all because of inexperience to live in a society that is full of high tech techniques to find a person. - read article...

Pakistan Musharraf’s Days Are Up Embassy pickets a most effective way of opposition General Musharaf would have not thought of the political scenario that has emerged after five days of the martial law he imposed on 3rd November. His hopes for a normality of the situation have been dashed even after he has used the most vicious repression against the advocates and political activists. More unpleasant surprises will come in future for the military regime who was used to a rather stable political control until now. - read article...

Pakistan Not arrested yet but facing dangerous situation Day Seven of Underground Life The seventh day passed without my arrest despite several attempts by the police. During the last three days, we were able to hold a meeting of the leading members of Labour Party Pakistan, gave interviews to private television channels and to a private team working for CNN. We were able to fax a daily news to most of the news papers in Pakistan. - read article...

Pakistan Musharaf isolated after attack by Bhutto The 10th Day in Underground Life Lahore police are very busy raiding the homes of several LPP activists during the last three days. The home of Afzal Soaraya, secretary Labour Party Punjab has been raided several times during the last three days. Maqsood Mujahid, member National Committee LPP, home in Lahore has also been the target of regular visits by the local police. They have also stopped the vehicle of Farooq Tariq several times while dropping his children to school. - read article...

Pakistan Bhutto meets with Marxists and other civil society leaders The 14th day underground I got a call at 7pm on 16th November from Asma Jehanghir office, “you must come tonight at 9pm at her place for an important meeting”. Chairperson of the most prestigious social institution Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Asma Jehanghir was just released a day earlier from her house detention. - read article...

Pakistan The successful womens demonstration without many losses The 18th Day Underground - More arrests and repression against journalists in Pakistan The best thing that happened during the week was a defiant demonstration of women belonging to Labour Party Pakistan. On 19th November, 14 brave women went to the busiest area of Lahore demanding an immediate end of martial law in Pakistan. - read article...

Pakistan Public Again after 20 days of underground life Since 23rd November, I am working normally. Most of the political prisoners were released and police raids were rare. - read article...

Pakistan Benazir urged to change her strategy of cooperation with the military regime Labour Party Pakistan general secretary press conference in Lahore - Suicidal attacks will solve nothing, but be used by the military regime to ban rallies and civil liberties Farooq Tariq general Secretary Labour Party Pakistan and secretary Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee (peasant coordination committee) addressed a press conference today on 19th October at Lahore Press Club. They expressed solidarity with and deep sorrow for the families of those who died during a suicidal attack in Karachi on 18th October during the rally of Pakistan Peoples Party. - read article...

Pakistan Call for a greater Left unity There has been never any other better time in history of Pakistan for a greater Left unity than the present time. There is great urge among all the Left and progressive forces to unite on one plate form. - read article...

Pakistan The Red Mosque Saga At the time, when hundreds died of government negligence during the terrain rains and flood across Pakistan, the Musharaf regime has finally been able to clear the Red Mosque from the “Alqaida and Talaban” supporters after killing of 80, according to the official claims. - read article...

Pakistan The 15 Jail Days Under the Musharaf military dictatorship “It was one of worst jail experiences I had during my 30 year of activism. I was released after 15 days when my detention orders were withdrawn. It was not due to a mercy of the government but our local and international massive solidarity campaign.” - read article...

Pakistan On the foot steps of advocates, till the end of dictatorship From nowhere to everywhere - The mass movement in Pakistan On 8th March 2007, no-one in Pakistan would have thought of a mass movement erupting in the near future with the potential to overthrow General Musharraf’s regime. A day later on 9th March, he suspended the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He had the illusion that nothing would happen and business as usual would go on. He had done it in the past successfully. - read article...

Pakistan Earthquake Relief work pays off Latest update - 24 November 2005 Now, 45 days after the earthquake, there are signs that our relief and rehabilitation work is paying off. Among the affected people life must go on. Many have been helped to build some sort of shelter homes to fight the freezing temperatures. Many tents have been erected, provided by LRC and other organizations. - read article...

Pakistan Not even 5 percent of aid received! Even after 17 days of the most disastrous earthquake in Pakistan, there are areas that no one has yet reached to help the victims. Farooq Tariq reports on the latest situation and appeals for aid from the international social movements. - read article...

Pakistan Four years under Musharaf General Musharaf has been in power for more than four years in Pakistan. Three years of this was under a naked military regime, while during the last year there was so-called democratic government with Musharaf as president. - read article...

India/Pakistan Is war imminent? The Bush war on terrorism has taken a new turn. It is possible that a real war could erupt between the two nuclear powers, Pakistan and India. It is not going to be one way traffic as was the case of the American Afghanistan war. - read article...

Afghanistan Kabul falls: what next? The Northern Alliance took over Kabul on 13th November without any serious fight from the Taliban. It was not a tactical retreat but it shows the total collapse of morale among the Taliban. - read article...

Pakistan Against His Masters Voice Thousands of Pakistani religious elements including the young students have taken to the street all over Pakistan on the first day of bombing Afghanistan. - read article...

Pakistan Help LPP to fight the terror of religious fundamentalism and American Imperialism’s war on Afghanistan This is a formal appeal from Labour Party Pakistan to help the party in this crucial juncture of Pakistan history. - read article...

Pakistan Regime arrests democrats During March 2001, several leading comrades from Labour Party Pakistan were arrested by the military regime of General Pervaiz Musharaf. They were among many hundreds of other political parties who wanted to hold a rally on 23rd of March in Lahore. Most of arrests were made before the rally and political activists were picked up from their house early in the morning. - read article...

Pakistan Solidarity with Pakistan flood victims August 2010 Our articles on the floods in Pakistan have given details of how to send financial aid to the Labour Relief Fund. If it is more convenient for you, you can also send funds through the Europe Solidaire Sans Frontieres account. - read article...

Pakistan More than 12 million people suffering from floods in Pakistan Please donate to Labour Relief Campaign to help people of Pakistan August 2010 Pakistan is facing worst ever floods of its history. Torrential rains have unleashed flash floods in different parts of the country since last three weeks. Water levies broke leaving the people exposed to flood water. More than 12 million people have suffered due to these floods. More than 650,000 houses have collapsed, mainly in villages. Thousands of acres of crops have been destroyed due to flood water. Houses, live-stock such as cattle’s and goats, household goods, clothes, shoes and other items have been destroyed. Residents of villages are currently without drinkable water, food, shelter and in need of clothes. In particular, the situation is dire for children and women and they are in desperate need of food and clothing. Disease is spreading fast in the areas affected due to lack of drinkable water. In particular, flu, fever, diarrhea, cholera have been noted and are spreading. - read article...

Russia Russian anti-fascists appeal for solidarity August 2010 An unexpected, unthinkable, yet - concerning current circumstances - quite expectable and natural thing has occurred yesterday night. Three public social activists that have always expressed a consistent antifascist attitude and shunned civil indifference have been detained. - read article...

European Social Forum Statement by the Assembly of Social Movements July 2010 We, the participants at the Istanbul ESF, affirming that we have a strong engagement aganist all war and occupation and that we are for a politial resolution of the Kurdish issue, have made the following resolution : - read article...

Morocco In Morocco as elsewhere repression won’t stop the revolt against anti-social policies The FSE demands the release of the imprisoned students June 2010 Under the impulse of the World Bank and international capitalist institutions, the Moroccan regime started a privatization process of the universities and attacks against the right to studiy. The announcement of the “Emergency plan” to the university at beginning of the academic year, i.e. of the brutal aggravation of these attacks, put a spark to the powder. The class-struggle trade unionists of fight, organised within the UNEM, are at the forefront of the mobilization against the “Emergency plan”. - read article...