Solidarity greetings to Awami Workers Party conference

Left Unity received an invitation to send solidarity greetings to the Awami Workers Party Conference, happening on 27/28th September in Pakistan

Message from Farooq Tariq, General Secretary, Awami Workers Party Pakistan:
Awami Workers Party Pakistan is holding its first delegate congress on 27/28 September 2014 at Islamabad. A rally will be taken out against feudalism and capitalism on 28th afternoon from Zero Point to Aabpara Chouck Islamabad.
In November 2012, the Awami Party, Labour Party and Workers Party merged to form the Awami Workers Party (AWP) in an unprecedented effort to build a genuine left alternative to mainstream political forces in Pakistan.
While not the first attempt to forge left unity, the formation of the AWP generated a great deal of excitement amongst progressives both within and outside the country due to its promise of building upon the best traditions of the twentieth century left and making ideological and organizational adaptations necessary for a viable leftist project in the present century.
In the almost two years since the AWP’s inception, the cauldron that is Pakistani politics has become even more explosive, with the fledgling party confirming its credentials as the only meaningful left alternative to status quo.
As the contradictions of state, imperialism, patriarchy and combined and uneven development in a multi-national country grow increasingly acute; reactionaries of all hues have consolidated their monopoly over political discourse, aided by a complicit corporate media.
Most recently, right-wing populists Tahir ul Qadri and Imran Khan have spearheaded protests that which ostensibly herald the onset of ‘revolutionary’ change in the country.
Over three hundred delegates from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Sindh, Siraiki Wasaib, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) will gather in the capital Islamabad for two days to deliberate on the party’s future direction, ratify its constitution and party programme, and elect its federal leadership for a two-year term.
Elections in the federating units have already been completed and the successful completion of the federal congress will bring closure to the first phase of party-building.
Awami Workers Party believes that we are part of an international working class movement against capitalism, imperialism and religious fundamentalism.
We could not invite the international comrades from different trends and traditions of the Left because of several reasons including the present disturbing security reasons. However, we will be very happy, if you could send a message of solidarity to be read at the congress.

Response on behalf of Left Unity by principal speaker Felicity Dowling:
We are pleased to hear of your success in uniting disparate sections of the opposition to neo liberalism into a unified, democratic party. Left Unity shares these tasks in in the UK. We understand some of the stresses and strains this involves. By uniting the existing activists we hope to recruit a new generation fresh to the struggle and to enthuse the old hands to stay with the fight and gain new energy
The forces for socialism are precious indeed in this time which sees both reaction and revolt across the world
We salute especially your women comrades who carry the struggle to the dark heart of patriarchy and capitalism. We applaud your commitment to the needs of the children of Pakistan.
We share your commitment to working class struggles in the political arenas and your support of trade unions in the workplace and those working in the home.
Poverty, Austerity, Restructuring and economic crisis are problems for all of us. The struggles to defend the environment and to feed our peoples are joint struggles too.
We send you best wishes for your meeting and hope that you are able to maintain your work in safety, recognising the complex and difficult situation you face with a pro capitalist government under attack from the right wing, from fundamentalists and from sections of the military.
We share your wish for peace, an end to drone attacks and for constructive settlements in Kashmir and other national territories within Pakistan.
Best wishes for good discussion good organisation and for the ongoing struggle.