Pakistan trade union offices attacked

According to a statement circulated by the Rubina Jamil Working Women's Organisation (WWO) last week, on April 16 the All Pakistan Trade Union Federation offices in Kashmir Road, Guberg in Lahore were attacked without warning and demolished by district government authorities backed by a large police force.

The police aggressively attacked workers at the office and arrested the federation's general secretary, Gulzar Ahmed Choudary, the deputy general secretary of the Lahore division, Mohd Ilyas, and five other federation activists. The police also arrested WWO executive member Azra Shahid.

Around 160 trade unions are affiliated to the federation which campaigns strongly against privatisation and other anti-people policies of the Pakistan government. Gulzar Ahmed recently delivered a speech during the Global March Against Child Labour criticising the government.

The federation is requesting international solidarity in support of its demands that the authorities release the arrested union activists, apologise to the union and union activists for the attack on the building, compensate the union for destroying its equipment and accessories, and rebuild the federation's office.

Letters of protest should be sent to Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister, Prime Minister House, Islamabad, Pakistan or telephone 92 51 9207464; fax 92 42 5838008 or email
with copies to Shahbaza Sharif, Chief Minister, Government of Punjab, 7 Club Road, Lahore, Pakistan; fax 92 42 9200160.

Letters of support to the union can be sent to Gulzar Ahmed Choudary, All Pakistan Trade Union Federation, c/- Long Man PVT Limited, 14-N Gulberg ii, Lahore 54660 Pakistan; fax 92 42 7597397.

From GLW issue 315