Protesters in Pakistan express support for "Occupy Wall Street" Movement
Over the past few months, leftist groups in Pakistan have made attempts to organize mass protests in support of the Occupy Wall Street movement. However, these groups have failed in their attempts to organize the Pakistani youth into even a small movement; there has been almost zero response in this country, which has a population of nearly 180 million.
During October 2011, protests were organized in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and some small towns. Some events are still being held in small towns, but news of them rarely finds its way into Pakistani newspapers. This lack of response is in spite of the fact that most of the Pakistani population is mired in poverty, joblessness, and shortages of electricity and drinking water; it is also because major political parties are not supporting the Occupy Wall Street groups in Pakistan even though the parties have labor unions.
In contrast with the leftist groups, all major political parties and religious organizations have held successful mass rallies in Pakistani towns over the past few months. Some recent notable mass public rallies were those organized by the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif; an unprecedented huge political rally in Lahore held by Imran Khan, the chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party;[1] a rally organized by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement in Karachi; and numerous hugely successful rallies organized by the Jamaat-e-Islami and other religious organizations almost every week.
Below are media reports on events held by Occupy Wall Street groups in Pakistan.
The Express Tribune, October 27, 2011, on October 26 Islamabad Rally[2]
A protest rally in Islamabad on October 26, 2011
"Occupy Islamabad" – Women's Activist Farzana Bari: 'We are the 99 Percent; We Are Against the Capitalist System That Has Failed to Deliver Justice to the People'
"Although unarmed, peaceful, and relatively few in number, their message and voices were heard loud and clear – they sought social justice, an end to global corporate greed and an exploitative economic system that have pushed millions of people into abject poverty and are forcing them to take extreme step of taking their life.
"The participants of the 'Occupy Islamabad' rally, inspired by the anti-globalization movement gathered at Aabpara Chowk [in Islamabad] and marched towards World Bank offices in G-5 sector. Holding red flags, dozens of workers from left-wing political parties –Workers Party Pakistan (WPP), Labour Party Pakistan (LPP), Awami Party Pakistan (WPP), National Student Federation (NSF), trade unions, intellectuals and civil society participated in the rally.
"The protesters scuffled with police when they were stopped from reaching the offices of World Bank in the Red Zone to register their protest against what they called its anti-poor policies and to show solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement.
"The ‘Occupy Islamabad’ rally faced strong resistance from the police.... 'We are the 99 percent. We are against the capitalist system that has failed to deliver justice to the people,' said Farzana Bari, an academic and women rights’ activist echoing the sentiments of the protesters on Wall Street in New York City, who oppose the extreme concentration of wealth in the hands of the top one percent of Americans.
"Addressing the rally, she said more than 80 percent of the country’s wealth was in the hands of merely two percent of its population. 'The people who are producing the wealth are not its owners. The working class is suffering despite all their labor.'"
Protesters in Islamabad Ask World Bank to "Leave Pakistan Alone" -- Slogans: ‘Sarmayadari Ka Jo Yaar Hai, Ghaddar Hai Ghaddar Hai’ (Whoever Sides with Capitalism is a Traitor)"
"The protesters, through a charter of demands which was handed over to the World Bank officials, asked them to leave Pakistan alone, so that it could decide its own economic and social fate. They chanted slogans against capitalism, one of which was ‘Sarmayadari ka jo yaar hai, ghaddar hai ghaddar hai’ (Whoever sides with capitalism is a traitor).
"'We have been speaking against it for decades. Now the world is realising that capitalism had taken the world towards barbarity and there is a need for meaningful alternative that saves the mankind and the natural environment,' said Aasim Sajjad of the Workers’ Party of Pakistan.
"He said that Occupy Islamabad was only a small part of the initiative against capitalist system that was launched decades ago by the socialist and leftist parties. 'After the cold war they said socialism had died. We continue to insist it did not. Now the world can see that it has not died. These anti-capitalist rallies and protests are largely inspired by the socialist system,' added Sajjad, a sentiment that many governments around the world are being forced to confront as a result of the Occupy Wall Street sympathy protests....
"The protestors said that while the Wall Street protests have called attention to the devastation of capitalism in the United States and the first world, capitalism in Pakistan means the devastating impacts of privatization and restructuring in state enterprises..."
The Express Tribune, October 23, 2011, on October 22 Karachi Rally
On October 22, Pakistani youth hold a meeting at the Karachi Press Club
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"Occupy Karachi": Protesters "Chanted Slogans Against the U.S., Businessmen and Capitalists"
"A rally in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement was organized in Karachi... but the most its organizers could occupy was a section of the pavement outside the Karachi Press Club.
"The rally was organized by a group calling itself the Anti-Capitalist Movement, which comprises members of the National Students Federation, International Socialists, students and teachers of Karachi University and some students from the Aga Khan University and College of Business and Management. Bystanders, followers of the Tanzeem-e-Islami (who were holding their own meeting across the road) looked on curiously at the protest.
"About 40 young students and old activists awkwardly gathered together on the pavement, clutching signs and copies of the International Socialists monthly magazine, and placards with printed photographs of the sit-in protests organized by the Occupy Wall Street movement in New York. The placards drew inspiration from what has become the most well-known slogan to have come out of the U.S. protests by saying ‘Occupy Pakistan. We are the 99%.'
"The group chanted slogans against the U.S., businessmen, and capitalists. 'New York bhi maange azadi, London bhi maange azadi, Karachi bhi maange azadi’. (New York, London and Karachi demand freedom).
"While the Occupy Wall Street worldwide protest has attracted tens of thousands of people, including celebrities, the Karachi rally could barely compete.
"According to Ali Hasan, who runs a school in Landhi [an area of Karachi], 'Based on our internal discussions, we knew that only a few people would show up. We have talked to other left-leaning parties and if more people from the Left would join us, this could turn into something bigger.'
"Hasan was realistic about the magnitude of support leftist parties have in Pakistan. 'Perhaps people are still hoping that the political parties will deliver on their promises,' he remarked.
"On the other hand, organizer Naghma Shaikh was optimistic. 'We are going to continue these protests throughout the country and we do expect more people will join us. Money is only concentrated in the hands of 1% of people... we are the 99%!'
"The protesters then made their way to Regal Chowk, where they were joined by members of the International Socialists group."
The Express Tribune, October 23, 2011, on October 22 Lahore Rally
"Occupy Lahore": Workers' Leader Abid Hasan Manto – "Pakistan’s Main Problem is Not Capitalism; More Than 65 Percent of the Population is Under the Control of Feudals, Who don’t Pay Tax"
"Students, low-level government employees and trade unionists gathered... for ‘Occupy Lahore – Let’s Decolonize Together,’ expressing solidarity with global anti-capitalist protests and raising their voices against feudalism.
"A press release from the organizers claimed that over 800 people showed up for the event, though this correspondent didn’t see more than 200 there by around 3:30pm. Some 70 people marched to the Lahore Heritage Museum, to Neela Gumbad, and back to Nasser Bagh in a rally later in the day.
"The protest brought together a diverse array of left wing activists, including women health workers, members of the Pakistan Trade Union and the PTCL and Railways unions, workers of the Labour Party Pakistan and the Workers Party of Pakistan, the Progressive Youth Front, and students of the Lahore University of Management Sciences and National College of Arts. The Pakistan Katchi Abadi Alliance, National Students Federation and National Trade Union also participated.
"Abid Hasan Manto, President of the Workers Party of Pakistan, said at the very least, the event had brought together people from different social strata, the students from elite schools mixing with common workers. 'The more such joint events we have, the more the gap will close,' he said.
"He said that uniting all socialist parties at one forum would make them stronger and better able to bring change to Pakistan. 'We want to fight the corrupt bourgeoisie together,' Manto said.
"[Manto said that] Pakistan’s main problem is not capitalism, which was at an elementary stage, but feudalism. 'More than 65 percent of the population is under the control of feudals, who don’t pay tax or follow inheritance laws. Feudals keep their people illiterate and even run private jails. We need to get rid of them,' he said."
Khursheed Ahmad: "The Independence We Think We Attained in 1947 is Only the Independence of People Born with Money; Real Independence is in Empowering Women, Sending Every Child of This Country to School..."
"Khursheed Ahmad of the National Workers Confederation said in his speech at the event that Pakistan’s workers were yet to gain independence.
"'The independence we think we attained in 1947 is only the independence of people born with money. Real independence is in empowering women, sending every child of this country to school, to reform the system in a way that meets the basic needs of every family. It is not about only casting votes,' he said.
"Farooq Tariq, Labour Party spokesman, said fewer students attended than the organizers would have liked. He said most universities were dominated by 'fascist elements' who resisted progressive ideas. 'But our main goal of attracting ordinary citizens is being accomplished. This is the only political forum where women workers in hospitals, public officers, and college students can come and voice their opinions about the system,' he said.
"Around 4pm, Taimoor Rahman of [music band] Laal entertained the audience with his songs. There was also a poetry reading and a discussion about how to raise awareness about the Left in colleges and schools.
"Three stalls selling books on Marxism and pamphlets on socialist movements in India, Germany, Russia and Pakistan, and a stall selling subsidized food for... 20 [Pakistani Rupees] per meal were also set up..."
November 8, 2011 Report on November 4 Trade Union Solidarity Camps in Towns
A protest meeting in the town of Multan
Leftist Literature Distributed at Protests in Multan and Bahawalpur
On November 4, the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign organized solidarity camps in the Pakistani towns of Multan and Bahawalpur. Workers, students, political and trade union leaders and women participated in the protests. Following are excerpts from a report on the protests in the towns of Multan and Bahawalpur:[3]
Report from Multan: "[The protest] camp was decorated with banners and placards with revolutionary slogans. Leaflets describing the nature of Occupy Movement were distributed among the visitors. Debates and discussions were held about the crisis of capitalism and nature of the revolution in order to replace this system.
"Workers and Trade union leaders from Pakistan Railways, PTCL, MDA, Allied Bank, Professors and Lecturers Association, Punjab Teachers Union, and Wapda attended the camp. Political activists from Pakistan People's Party and People's Student Federation also attended and appreciated the camp. PTUDC team, sympathizers, and prominent visitors included Haider Abbas Gardezi, Zafar Abbas Ra’n, Haider Shah, Dilawar Siddique, Nadra Begum, Aasim Khan, Ahsan Khan, Nadeem Pasha, Aslam Ansari, Zulfiqar, Intezar Hussain, Ahmed Danial, Anam, Mahblus, Sumera, Waji Shah, Zeshan Shehzad, Zeshan Butt, Naeem, Ali, and Advocate Intikhab Chauhan."
Report from Bahawalpur: "Capitalism is obsolete. The mass movements that erupted in Latin America in near past and now erupting in Arab world, America, and Europe reflect this reality. Life was always difficult in Third World countries, but life standards are rapidly falling even in advanced capitalist countries now. The Occupy Wall Street movement in America is gaining strength and popularity with every passing day. The effects of this movement are being felt within Pakistani society as well.
"To make a common person more aware about the worldwide Occupy Movement, PTUDC & BNT (Unemployed Youth Movement) organized a camp at University Chowk Bahawalpur which continued successfully from 10:00am to 4:00pm. [The] camp was visited by at least two thousand people including university and school students, teachers, lawyers, journalists, and political activists. The camp was decorated with banners and placards with revolutionary slogans written on them.
"Leaflets published by PTUDC and BNT were distributed among the visitors. Asian Marxist Review, The Struggle, and other left wing magazines and material were also sold. The atmosphere at the camp was quite pleasant, energetic, and enthusiastic. Visitors appreciated and asked the comrades to continue this kind of activities in city."
[1] See MEMRI Inquiry and Analysis No. 4262, "Concerns in Pakistani Press Over Successful Political Rally Of Rising Politician Imran Khan," November 8, 2011, Concerns in Pakistani Press Over Successful Political Rally Of Rising Politician Imran Khan
[2] The text of the reports included in this dispatch has been lightly edited for clarity.
[3] www.ptudc.org (Pakistan), November 8, 2011.
