Over 3000 activists and supporters of Labour Party Pakistan (LPP) took part in rally in Lahore on June 6 against the ongoing neoliberal policies of the current Pakistan People's Party government.
Protesters chanted slogans against government-imposed price hikes as well as US imperialism — demanding an immediate end to policies dictated by imperialist companies and financial institutions.
There were similar demonstrations in 30 other cities across Pakistan. The LPP organised the rallies with the support of trade unions, social movements and peasant organisations as a national day of action against price hikes. The protests also demanded the immediate restoration of the sacked top judges and the resignation of President Pervez Musharraf.
The Peshawar demonstration was broadcast live by private television channel, ARY World. Over 400 participated in the demonstration. In Karachi, over 250 activists demonstrated at Regal Chouck. In Islamabad, over 150 demonstrated at Aab Para Chouck against the price hikes and demanded a living wage of at least 12,000 Rupees for all workers. They demanded action against those bosses who are attacking workers for forming unions.
At Lahore, the main Mall Road was blocked for over two hours as the rally passed though the city's busiest and prestigious road. Thousands on both sides of the road cheered the demonstrators. This was the largest demonstration against the price hikes so far.
Mall Road was red with waving flags for a long, long time. The demonstrators raised slogans in favour of socialism, arguing that socialism is the only answer to the problems facing the working class.
"Capitalism has failed in solving the basic problems of the masses; it is a message of consistent price hike and unemployment. We have to change the system and develop a party that could prepare a socialist revolution", declared LPP spokesperson Farooq Tariq, while addressing the Lahore rally.
"We demand a minimum wage of 12,000 Rupees with an introduction of unemployment benefit for all unemployed adults; we want an end to privatisation and the cancellation of foreign debts. Reduce the military expenditure and spent it on the people", Tariq said. He demanded action against the owner of the New Khan private bus company, who sacked 80 workers for forming the first trade union in the company.
Several trade union leaders also addressed the protest. Leaders of the lawyer's movement, which has spearheaded the recent pro-democracy upsurge, also spoke. Activists from the Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party also participated. There were many slogans against Musharaf. All the main print and electronic media were present, covering the demonstration.
The LPP has announced further demonstrations this month and are taking an active part in the long march planned by the lawyers' movement starting from 10 June from Sukhar in Sind.