ISLAMABAD: The left leaning political parties here on Monday announced the formation of a democratic, secular and anti-imperialist alliance to represent the under privileged and oppressed segments of the society.

The decision was made at the All Parties People’s Conference organised by the Awami Workers Party (AWP) and the new name of the alliance is ‘United Democratic Front’.

The front seeks to challenge imperialism, feudal and other forms of land grabs, the militarisation of state and society, religious majoritarianism and patriarchy.

Speaking on the occasion, AWP leaders Yusuf Masti Khan, Bakhshal Thalho, Farzana Bari, Akhtar Hussain and Aasim Sajjad said that Pakistan’s prevailing structure of power is dominated by the establishment, feudal and capitalist mafias, who all were aligned with the policies of the IMF as well as other external powers.

The speakers highlighted that majority of Pakistan’s population comprised workers, peasants, women and youth who crave a meaningful alternative to the hateful sloganeering and palace intrigues that dominate the political and intellectual mainstream.

They stressed that a democratic, secular and anti-imperialist alliance was required both to resist the dictates of unrestrained capitalist accumulation, state repression, patriarchal violence and ecological degradation.

Senator Tahir Bizenjo of the National Party asked all democratic and secular forces to join the alliance and thereby revive the glory years of progressive politics when parties like the National Awami Party brought together ethnic-national movements, leftists, constitutionalists and secularists.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2022