LAHORE, June 13: A conglomerate of 11 political parties and civil society organizations on Monday put their weight behind the PTCL workers’ stance against the privatization of the company. In a meeting under the chairmanship of Yusuf Baloch of the National Trade Union Federation, which was attended by the Pakistan Peoples Party, Tehrik-e-Istaqlal, National Workers’ Party, Labour Party Pakistan, Peoples Party (SB), Mazdoor Kissan Party, Awami Social Party, Joint Action Committee for Peoples Right and Pakistan Social Forum, lashed out at the government for “anti-worker” policies.

They asked the army to go back to barracks instead of picketing PTCL installations all over the country.

These parties and organizations also announced to convene an all-parties conference on Thursday to protest against the PTCL’s privatization and mobilize all civil society forces against the same.

The meeting also demanded release of all PTCL workers and announced to form an anti-privatization alliance of political parties and civil society organizations.