Left wing alliance bemoans state’s ‘misplaced priorities’

By Muhammad Hammad

Pakistan is facing a myriad of problems but it seems that the attention of the ruling elite is focused on interfering in neighbouring country Afghanistan instead of focusing on these problems.

This was stated by the leaders of the Popular Left Alliance, a conglomerate of socialist, nationalist and progressive parties in Pakistan while addressing a press conference in Peshawar.

The convener and the secretary general of Communist Party of Pakistan Imdad Qazi, member Dr. Sarfraz Khan, President National Party KP chapter, leader of Pakistan Inqalabi Party Taj Khattak and leader of Mazdoor Kissan Party Suhail Ahmed were among those addressing the press conference.

Expressing grave concern over the violations of human rights, the leaders of the alliance claim that the state is busy with killing and dumping policy at a time when the people are grappling with the effects of environmental destruction, terrorism, lawlessness and unemployment. The leaders of the alliance observed that the ruling elite has ignored the rights of smaller nationalities and the people of Jammu and Kashmir and GB are being ruled as if they were under colonial occupation.

The leaders of the alliance observed that KP, south Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and several other regions of the country have been submerged by devastating floods but the government completely failed in extending help and assistance to the people.

On the occasion the alliance presented a charter of demands, asking the government to restore natural waterways by removing all types of encroachment that have been carried out by influential feudal, construction tycoons and other sections of ruling classes so that water could flow into the sea without any obstruction. The alliance further demanded that flood affectees be provided with compensation for the losses of lives, properties and livestock, urging the ruling elite to immediately announce a medical emergency, treating animals and flood victims by establishing mobile hospitals.

The alliance also demanded of the government to establish new cities and towns in the devastated places on a war footing basis after draining water from those places on an urgent basis. The conglomerate of left-wing parties observed that a new bloody game is going to unfold in the region and feared that the Pukhtoon belt is once again being used as a launching pad by letting militant outfits reorganize and regroup, warning the state against allowing extremist groups to operate from Pakistani soil.

The alliance also demanded the government to withdraw fabricated cases against human rights activist Idris Khatak, urging the authorities to release him besides asking the government to withdraw concocted cases against professor Ismael and his wife.