KARACHI: Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori and Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, in their messages on International Labour Day, acknowledged the pivotal role played by the working class in a country’s progress and development.

Governor Tessori said that ensuring provision of workers’ legitimate rights was government’s top priority. CM Shah said that his government was taking all possible steps to provide a dignified lifestyle to workers.

The governor described ideal relations between employer and employee as essential to ensure the country’s development and to attain prosperity. He said Labourers played a pivotal role in the country’s economic development, and added that providing their legitimate rights was government’s top priority.

The chief minister said that his government was taking all possible steps to provide a dignified lifestyle to workers. “The great sacrifice of Chicago workers is viewed with respect and honour all over the world,” he said.

The CM said that workers are backbone of the country’s economy. “The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has been actively working for the protection of the rights of workers and also for their welfare since day one,” he said.

PPP holds rally

The ruling PPP took out a rally titled ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ from Merewether Tower to the Sindh Assembly building on Thursday to mark the Labour Day. It was led by Sindh Local Government Minister and PPP’s Karachi Division President Saeed Ghani, along with General Secretary Javed Nagori, provincial ministers, Senators, MNAs, MPAs and other party leaders.

Addressing the participants, Saeed Ghani highlighted three main objectives of the rally: to pay tribute to the martyrs of Chicago labour movement; to mark resolution of the controversial canals issue through the efforts made by President Asif Ali Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Sindh government; and to respond to the bullying by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said that the PPP leadership had taken a firm stand in the Council of Common Interests (CCI) on the canals project and Sindh’s interests. It sent a clear message to those trying to exploit the situation for political gains. He said that the PPP had never compromised on Sindh’s rights and has always offered sacrifices for them.

PTI’s message

The Pakistan Tehreek Isnaf (PTI) Sindh chapter, in its message on Labour Day, paid tribute to labourers across the globe. Sindh PTI President Haleem Adil Sheikh said that the day commemorated sacrifices of the Chicago workers who laid the foundation for their rights through a relentless struggle and hard work.

He said workers were the backbone of any economy and deserved recognition and respect for their contributions.

“We salute all those labourers who, with their blood and sweat, paved the way for progress and prosperity,” he said.

Highlighting PTI’s commitment to the working class, he said the party stood for the rights of labourers, farmers and other underprivileged segments of society.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2025