KARACHI: Minto seeks end to army interference, slams violence
By Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI, May 24: The National Workers Party has demanded an end to the interference of the army in politics, feudalism and influence of the multi-national firms in the country.
The NWP called for bringing about basic structural changes in the constitution, politics and economy of the country to ensure the rights of labourers, middle classes and intellectuals.
NWP leaders were addressing a conference on “Social Change and Our struggle” on Thursday which was organized by the Karachi chapter of the party.
Speaking at the conference, NWP President Abid Hasan Minto said the “command and control system” introduced by military rulers had ruined the country and time had come that army realized the fact that it had failed to deliver.
He called for restoring the supremacy of law and the constitution in the country, saying that an independence judiciary along could ensure this.
Referring to the ongoing struggle of the lawyers community for independence of the judiciary, Mr Minto said the lawyers had always played a significant role in struggles for the rule of law and democracy in the country and the present struggle was launched when the office of the Chief Justice of Pakistan was attacked.
He demanded that the 1973 Constitution be restored in its original form and the 8th and 17th amendments in it be scrapped as both these amendments were unconstitutional and against the spirit of the 1973 Constitution.
The NWP chief said General Musharraf had become president by introducing the 17th amendment in the constitution with the support of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal.
Coming to the current situation in Karachi, Mr Minto condemned the tragic event of May 12 and termed it an act of state terrorism, saying that it was the fundamental responsibility of the state to protect its citizens. He said General Musharraf and the MQM could not absolve themselves of the crime as they were part and parcel of the government that failed to protect the lives of its citizens.
The NWP leader argued that whatever had happened in Karachi was purely state terrorism. He said every citizen or party had the right to stage a rally and it was the responsibility of the government to provide them security.
Mr Minto urged the progressive political forces of the country to unite on a minimum common programme and play their due role to rid the country of the curse of feudalism, globalization and imperialism.
He also criticised the economic policies of the government, saying that the country had been made hostage to the multi-national companies through the army rule. He called for ending the curse of consumerism in the economy. He rejected the notion that the country was progressing economically.
Quoting the figures and painting a grim picture of the economy, Mr Minto said the rich were getting richer and the poor, poorer.
The NWP accused the rulers of pursuing the political and economic agenda of the US imperialism, thereby enslaving the country to it.
The conference was presided over by Karachi president Shah Noor and was addressed by senior vice-president Yusuf Mustikhan and General Secretary Akhtar Husain (advocate).
Mr Mustikhan condemned the ongoing operation in Balochistan, saying that innocent people were being killed or kidnapped on the pretext of establishing the writ of the government.
He said Pakistan was a multi-nation state, and unless the sovereign rights of its people to manage their political as well as economic affairs were recognised, the present multi-dimensional crisis could not be resolved.Akhtar Husain also opposed the globalization and the role of multi-national companies in the country’s affairs.
He opposed the role of the army in politics and urged the progressive forces of the country to unite, end their petty differences and pave the way for greater unity.
