- by F Khan
- The Guardian
- Issue #2178
I had the greatest pleasure of spending time amongst comrades from Mazdoor Kisaan Party (MKP), Lahore, this January. MKP comrades organised a seminar at very short notice with impressive efficiency, to include me, their comrade visiting from Australia. The seminar was titled “Empire Unchained: The Rise of Hyper-Imperialism.” Other guests included comrade Nasir Gulzar from the All Pakistan Trade Union Federation (APTUF), comrade advocate Ayaz Raza from Bonded Labour Liberation Front (BLLF), and member and ex-vice president of the Lahore High Court Bar Association, and comrade Rabiya Bajwa. The event was capably compered by comrade Fatima of the MKP.
The first speaker was MKP labour secretary, comrade Irfan Ali. An eloquent speaker, comrade Irfan gave a well-rounded speech on the state of imperialism in today’s world and the real motives behind the attack on Venezuela and threats to Iran. Comrade Irfan ended his speech with passionate slogans for President Maduro, and the peoples of Venezuela, Palestine and Iran.
Comrade Nasir of APTUF was the next speaker who spoke with zeal about the rights of working-class people and laid bare the class-based exploitation in society. Also a leftist of the Marxist tradition, he correctly stated that the real struggle was not for an improvement here in working conditions, or an improvement there in wages, but the replacement of the capitalist rulers with a democratic working-class government.
This was followed by comrade Faiza of the MKP, womens’ organiser and leader, reading her poem dedicated to the working people of Pakistan.
It was an honour to also hear from comrade Ayaz, who was stepping in for his sister, Ghulam Fatima. They are both inspirational champions for the rights of the most down-trodden segment of society, the people in indentured labour. He spoke about the atrociousness and absurdity of the US acts of war against Venezuela.
Next the meeting was addressed by MKP general secretary, Professor Taimur Rahman. Comrade Taimur is an academic par excellence who always delivers a clear, Marxist analysis and perspective, and does so engagingly. He draws young and old alike, who seek to learn from his vast knowledge. He spoke in detail about the bravery shown by President Maduro and his wife and comrade, Cilia Flores, in the face of US thuggery. He also spoke about the courage, steadfastness and preparedness of the people of Venezuela.
Afterwards, comrade Rabiya Bajwa, lawyer and activist, gave a fiery and eloquent speech further raising the morale and spirits of everyone present. She gave her commitment to stand by her comrades in their struggles and to rally the lawyer community behind her too.
At the end I was invited to speak as member of the Communist Party of Australia. I presented the view from Australia, and focused on Australia’s role in US imperialism. I followed this up with the anti-imperialist and peace work being undertaken by CPA comrades, as well as other organisations, community groups, unions and working people. I relayed to our Pakistani comrades that we draw inspiration and courage from their struggles, and we hold dear our international solidarity.
Invited guests, including myself, were gifted the traditional MKP red cap. The cap not only has the party name on it, but also the name of the party chairman Salar Fayyaz Ali, who at the time of the seminar was held in jail over false charges (he has since been granted bail). This is nothing but political persecution of a people’s leader who has earned the respect and votes of his local community. He has defeated the local landlords in elections, and his jailing is their method of political revenge.
Everyone who spoke did so with visible optimism and clarity for a better future. I felt uplifted and was also deeply touched by my comrades hospitality and love. Despite the troublesome developments on the global scale, empire is in trouble. We must continue to work in our respective areas to chip away at the capitalist system. We must also continue to strengthen our fraternal ties with each other.
Mazdoor ittehad zindabad (Long live workers’ unity)!
