Pakistan's left unity conference breaks new ground
By Eva Cheng
LAHORE — The left in Pakistan took an important step towards unity on March 23 with a ground-breaking Left Unity Workers' Conference here in which more than 230 movement leaders and activists took part.
Participants were very aware of the revolutionary message that the choice of the conference date carried. On March 23, 1929, Bhagat Singh was hung for his heroic role in the struggle against the British colonialists. Among Singh's last remarks was the utter importance of mass struggle for revolutionary change.
The government also organised activities to remember Singh, but they were gutted of the revolutionary politics that Singh's life and struggle symbolise.
The national conference, unprecedented in its breadth and openness in forging left unity, was organised by the Labour Party Pakistan (LPP). Delegations from at least 20 Pakistan organisations attended, including broad representation from national liberation struggles across Pakistan. Key trade unions, political parties, women's rights and human rights groups also participated.
Delegates from the Watan Party of Afghanistan and the Democratic Socialist Party (DSP) of Australia, as well as representatives of the LPP's section in Britain also attended.
Participants gave the Watan delegation two standing ovations. It was the first time in seven years that the Pakistani left had any direct contact with their Afghan counterparts.
Watan leader Habib-Ullaha spoke of the atrocities the fundamentalist forces have inflicted on the Afghan people since 1992, turning the country into virtually a desert. He expressed great appreciation of the chance to meet with the Pakistani left and keen interest in stepping up collaboration with it.
The Saraiki Qaumi [National] Party was there, along with the Balochistan National Party, Jammu Kashmir National Awami [People's] Party, Kashmir Mutahda Muhaz, Saraiki Inqalabi [Revolutionary] Council Pakistan, Saraikistan Party, Saraiky Party, People's Party Pakistan Shaheed Bhutto Group, Pakistan Workers Confederation Sindh, Itehad [Unity] Labour Union, Railway Workers Union, Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation, Human Right Focus, ASR Resource Centre's Institute of Women's Studies, Democratic Women's Association and Women's Action Forum.
Glaringly absent were leaders from the Awami Jamhoori [People's Democratic] Party, the Socialist Party and the Communist Mazdoor Kisam [Peasants Workers] Party, although some activists from these parties did attend.
The conference was opened with one minute's silence to remember Imam Ali Nazish, former secretary-general of the Communist Party of Pakistan, and Vinod Mishra, general secretary of the Communist Party of India Marxist-Leninist (Liberation) who died in December.
Urgency to unite
The central question addressed was how left groups and individuals in Pakistan could step up their collaboration to shift the balance of class forces in their favour. To set the perspectives, the capitalist economic crisis and the process of "globalisation" were examined. This discussion was led off by LPP general secretary Farooq Tariq, followed by a highly enthusiastic discussion.
The afternoon session, which addressed why left unity was needed, what sort of unity and how it could be achieved, was led off by LPP chairperson Shoaib Bhatti.
A sense of urgency for left unity emerged clearly from most contributions, with many stressing the rise of fundamentalist forces trying to pose as an alternative to the impotent and corrupt Pakistani ruling class. The latter's obedient execution of the imperialist powers' agenda is imposing a crushing burden on the working class and peasantry.
No precise forms of unity emerged, but there was a keen and comradely discussion about the basis on which it should be built. Some of the essential principles were: a democratic and federal structure, respect for the right to self-determination of Pakistan's various national groups and the goal of building socialism.
Few participants expected that a blue-print would emerge from the one-day event, but the enthusiasm to take the discussion further in the mass movements was recognised as a big gain.
A significant achievement of the conference was in bringing together all the key forces in national struggles in Pakistan — Sind, Balochistan, Saraiki and Kashmir. These delegates expressed determination to step up their collaboration after the conference.
In concluding, Tariq acknowledged the absence of what he called "the senior comrades of the left", but affirmed there was a need to continue attempting to include them in the process. As well, while emphasising the need to be absolutely clear about the political limitations of the non-government organisations, he stressed the need to try to include good activists from their ranks.
"We can't be reformist", said Tariq. "We're Marxist, socialist."
Tariq highlighted the clear consensus about involving trade union and other mass organisations on the ground as an integral part of the unity process. He contrasted it with previous left unity attempts which involved primarily the top leaders and which "workers never knew much about or why the [process is] taking place".
"We want a real unity in Pakistan, but it's impossible to achieve unless it's built on a strong democratic basis", Tariq said. "The concept of 'left unity' has long been misused by the 'left' leaders."
Commenting on the good attendance and contributions of veterans as well as young militants, Tariq commented: "We hope that the senior comrades who have come have been inspired by a new ray of hope that the left is still alive".
Veteran Marxist Tahira Mazher Ali, one of the keynote speakers, said she was very inspired by the large number of young people taking part, which "gives the future struggle a lot of hope".
Tariq pointed out: "The LPP is the youngest part of the left movement in Pakistan, but it's also the fastest growing party". The LPP has many young members active in various mass organisations.
All this did not please the Pakistani government. Only days before the conference it splashed the media with accusations that the LPP has links with Indian spies. Just hours before the conference police beat up an activist putting up posters about the event. They also destroyed many posters and red flags related to the conference. Two intelligence agents tried to observe the conference. They were kicked out.
International struggle
The government refused to grant a visa to a representative of the CPI-ML (Liberation) who had been invited to the conference. Instead, the party's new general secretary, Dipankar Bhattachariya, sent warm and inspiring greetings stressing the importance of socialists in Pakistan and India joining hands in the struggle.
The Socialist Party of Holland also sent greetings.
The DSP's John Percy gave an encouraging address stressing that left unity is a vital topic at a time when the workers' movement is at a crossroads. "Capitalist crises and contradictions are more apparent today than ever", he said. "We see abundance in the midst of poverty, crises of overproduction and overcapacity when billions are hungry, workers forced to work longer hours when millions are unemployed, a widening gap between rich and poor, threatening environmental catastrophes and brazen military aggressions by Washington and its allies.
"The Asian economic crisis that led to crises around the world has helped remove illusions there might be a capitalist way out of poverty and underdevelopment. All this can lead to no other conclusion: socialism is necessary, now more than ever."
Percy noted that we also have to confront the serious defeats for the left in recent years: the collapse of the Soviet Union, the steps towards capitalist restoration in China, the complete incorporation of social-democratic parties around the world as alternative governing parties for capitalism, and the weakness and divisions of Marxist parties in most countries. "All this points to the necessity ... of genuine Marxist parties that can organise the oppressed and give effective leadership to the struggles."
But what sort of party? There's enough experience around so we shouldn't need to repeat past mistakes, said Percy. "A new generation of young workers and students are being drawn into the struggles. But they also need the experienced comrades and parties. So now, more than ever, left unity is needed, nationally and internationally."
Through the conference, participants responded to inspiring contributions by shouting slogans such as: "Asia is red. Socialism will be victorious", "Speed up the struggle", "Down with privatization, down with downsizing". These calls were greeted by loud responses from the rest of the audience, with their fists held high in the air.
A revolutionary spirit filled the air: the CPI-ML (Liberation)'s description of the conference as an important milestone for the left in Pakistan and India was preempted by many participants before it was read out to them.