LAHORE, Nov 10: A conference to formally launch the Awami Workers’ Party, a recent merger of three left-wing political parties, will be held at Aiwan-e-Iqbal on Sunday (today).

The leaders of the new party will also brief the media about the conference’s objectives and the AWP’s future plans with regard to contest the next general elections. The will be held at 4.30pm.

Earlier on Friday, the AWP leadership gathered at the Lahore Press Club to brief the press on the recent merger of three left wing parties.

The leaders, Yousuf Masti Khan, Jamil Omar, Dr Hassan Nasir, Younis Rahu and Nisar Shah, announced the conference would sensitise the participants to left-wing activities and their plans about the general elections.

“The issues of economy, feudalism, extremism and corruption have gripped the country while Balochistan or even Sindh are in turmoil,” said Mr Masti Khan.

Prof Dr Jamil Omar gave background of the decline of left-wing politics in Pakistan, stating the dictatorship of Gen Zia had sown the seeds of extremism in the country.

He said politics of the Left was based on the idea of doing healthy pro-people politics as well as understanding the point that forces of establishment should be resisted.

Nisar Shah said in the past the former USSR was criticised for being ruthless under the Cold War while today there was a change taking place and capitalism was being lambasted for its oppressive role.

Shah added the new party would stand with workers as in recent industrial accidents 300 workers died in Karachi and 25 others in Lahore in a day.