At least 34 dead in violence...Karachi (Pakistan)

[sexyguy]

Comrades,
Again a new sharp revolutionary crisis for imperialism is developing in Pakistan.
It would be a massive advantage for the international revolutionary movement if we all familiarised ourselves with this, analysed, argued and explained it to the working class internationally.

I think the ‘liberal’ bourgeoisie will bottle-out in the reactionary fascist civil war ‘confusion’. The workers revolutionary party/s will have to develop existing revolutionary theory. They should know that they can rely on our support to defeat imperialism. Can they?

[Spirit of Spartacus]

The policy of US imperialism remains unchanged: US statements reflect nothing more than a desire for "peaceful resolution" of the current crisis...

WASHINGTON, May 16: The US State Department said on Wednesday that there has been no fundamental change in Washington’s assessment about President General Pervez Musharraf or his role in the Pakistani society.

The department’s deputy spokesman Tom Casey made these remarks when asked to comment on earlier statement in Islamabad by a senior US envoy who said that the current political situation had not weakened the Pakistani leader.

When asked to comment on Ambassador Ronald Neumann’s statement, Mr Casey said: “I don’t think our assessment has fundamentally changed about him or his role in the Pakistani society.”

Mr Casey also dispelled the impression that Ambassador Neumann’s visit was linked to the political situation in Pakistan.

“We’re pleased to see that the violence that had occurred in Karachi has stopped,” said the State Department official when asked if the Bush administration was concerned that recent events in Pakistan had weakened President Musharraf.

“The issues that are there in the Pakistani political system are ones that need to be resolved peacefully and through their own legal and constitutional procedures,” he added.

The State Department official noted that Pakistan is scheduled to hold “an important election” this year, adding that “it is … in everyone’s interest to see that Pakistan develops as a moderate (Muslim) country.

Mr Casey said that “everyone” wants Pakistan to see as a country that “continues to be a good ally with the United States in the war on terror.”

http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/17/top7.htm



The Pakistani independent media has discussed the US position on the Pakistani crisis in great detail.

Richard Boucher, who is the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, spoke at length about it.

According to him, the US is satisfied with the Musharraf regime's cooperation in the War on Terror.

The US would not like to see the Musharraf regime collapsing suddenly or violently, as that would "harm" US interests in the region.

Basically, what this implies is that the US sees no reason for Musharraf to go at the moment.

[sexyguy]

The policy of US imperialism remains unchanged: US statements reflect nothing more than a desire for "peaceful resolution" of the current crisis...

...Basically, what this implies is that the US sees no reason for Musharraf to go at the moment.

Spirit,

Do you think that I should revise my earlier speculation about the ‘liberal’ wing of capitalism in Pakistan pushing for change with ’international’ support?
Are you now thinking that Musharraf will continue to get US backing whatever he does?

[Spirit of Spartacus]

Spirit,

Do you think that I should revise my earlier speculation about the ‘liberal’ wing of capitalism in Pakistan pushing for change with ’international’ support?
Are you now thinking that Musharraf will continue to get US backing whatever he does?

Musharraf will indeed get US backing until:

(a) the situation within Pakistan reaches a point where he and the army can no longer control it.

and:

(b) the US is able to find more willing lackeys among the liberal-bourgeois groups.


Now, for the moment, we on the radical left have no option except to support the bourgeois-democratic movement. We are too weak to be able to confront the ruling regime on our own, and the intelligence agencies are already watching some of our comrades, as I reported here.

But even though we support the bourgeois-democratic movement, there are certain problems here. For one, the liberal democrats can sell out very easily.

There is always the possibility of a deal between Benazir Bhutto (leader of the PPP, largest secular party in the opposition) and Musharraf.
In case such a deal happens, you can expect the bourgeois-democratic movement to be totally crippled.

Furthermore, while the fall of the Musharraf regime and the rise of a bourgeois-democratic system would be harmful to US interests, they can still find their lackeys among the liberal capitalist leaders.

They will easily make arrangements with the liberal capitalists who we expect to take power after Musharraf goes.

There is also the possibility that if matters slip out of Musharraf's hands, the US could encourage other military generals to launch a coup and take over the country.

So there are a lot of possibilities here, and there is absolutely no certainty that we will be able to drive out Yankee imperialist influence from this region any time soon.

There is no substitute for a broad-based working-class movement if we truly want the emergence of consistent anti-imperialist forces in Pakistan.


In the meanwhile, here are some cell-phone videos of communists demonstrating outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad.

The demonstrations have turned violent on many occasions, but these videos show the more peaceful moments, with everyone singing revolutionary songs.


http://youtube.com/watch?v=m9OTdWR_6pU

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_mNTCErHwY4

http://youtube.com/watch?v=QpIVLf9z1YM

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fNmhqcTKFmg

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_RUPxcgEkDY

[sexyguy]

Now, for the moment, we on the radical left have no option except to support the bourgeois-democratic movement.

Yes, support them like a rope supports a hanging man.

We are too weak to be able to confront the ruling regime on our own, and the intelligence agencies are already watching some of our comrades, as I reported here.

Yes, no need for any “infantile” adventures.

But even though we support the bourgeois-democratic movement, there are certain problems here. For one, the liberal democrats can sell out very easily.

I’d say that the liberal democrats (as a class) not only can sell out very easily, but definitely will sell out and blame the workers movement for everything if they get a chance.

[Spirit of Spartacus]

US imperialism confirms its support for the military regime of Pakistan:

WASHINGTON, May 23: The United States stands by President Pervez Musharraf in the current conflict with opposition forces in Pakistan but wants him to do more to quell Taliban and Al Qaeda violence in Afghanistan, said a top US official on Wednesday.

“We have a very close relationship with President Musharraf.…We strongly supported President Musharraf and will continue to do so,” US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns told a gathering in Washington.

Although his speech at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington think-tank, was almost exclusively on US-India relations, he used the occasion also to stress the importance of America’s ties with Pakistan.

“Pakistan is a great friend of the United States,” said Mr Burns, adding that Washington wants this relationship to continue despite its growing ties with India.

“We hope that there can be progress in building Pakistan’s own democracy over the months and years ahead,” said Mr Burns while commenting on the current situation which commentators in Washington describe as the most intense threat to President Musharraf since he seized power in a coup in 1999.

http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/24/top10.htm



Clearly, US imperialism couldn't care less about the working people of Pakistan. What matters to them is that we remain a subservient ally.

[Spirit of Spartacus]

News Report: CMKP protests in front of Supreme Court on 26th May, 2007

The Rawalpindi District Committee of the Communist Mazdoor Kissan
Party participated in a protest held at the Supreme Court yesterday,
26th May,2007. We had prepared party flags and banners for the
protest, and reached Aapbara Chawk at approximately 3:15 p.m. There we
joined a broad left group that comprised of the People's Rights
Movement and Comrade Engineer Jamil Malik of the Communist Party of
Pakistan. When the contingent of the lawyers reached Aapbara Chawk, we
joined their contingent and began our march towards the Supreme Court
of Pakistan. There were approximately 500 people who marched with us.
When we reached the Constitution Avenue a police barricade blocked us.
The policemen attempted to snatch our megaphones from us, but we
managed to push them aside. Avoiding a fight, the police gave in.

We reached the Supreme Court in an hour, and joined the contingents of
the opposition parties. There were approximately 4000-5000 protestors
outside the Supreme Court, and our slogans and flags captured the
attention of all who were present, and the media (ARY, TV ONE, and AAJ
T.V) immediately ran towards our contingent. At the time we were
singing the song "Mazdooraan day naaray vajjan gay" (which was later
included in TV ONE's special report).

Yesterday's protest has proven beyond reasonable doubt, to all who
were present that there is only one genuine Marxist-Leninist force in
Rawalpindi-Islamaba d, and that is the Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party.
Dr.Fauzia (founding member of WAF and a professor at QAU) expressed
her desire to join the CMKP. When we were given the opportunity to
speak to the audience, we invited Dr.Fauzia to represent us. She
militantly pushed forward the need to organize the working class, the
peasantry, the students and the women on Marxist-Leninist lines. She
congratulated Comrade Tamara on being the only Marxist-Leninist
female cadre at the protest.

The protest march lasted for approximately 4 hours, and only ended
when the Chief Justice of Pakistan arrived at the Supreme Court.
Lawyers, opposition parties, students and activists have congratulated
the CMKP on becoming a consistent part of this struggle.

Long Live Marxism-Leninism!
Long Live Communism!

Comradely,
Bhagat

This is so cool!

The Womens' Action Forum is an important feminist activist group in Pakistan. If we can get them to join the Marxist movement, it will be a good achievement.

The struggle against the military regime continues:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6695629.stm

[Spirit of Spartacus]

OK, a small correction.

That is Dr. Farzana, not Dr. Fauzia.

Dr. Farzana is the head of the Gender Studies Department at the Quaid-e-Azam University, and she is the one who will be joining the Marxist-Leninists.

[sexyguy]

Outstanding, and a very big straw in the wind.

[sexyguy]

Comrades, Can Dr. Farzana make a contribution on this site when she has the time?

[Spirit of Spartacus]

sexyguy,

I don't know, since I'm not in touch with her.

The point, however, is that she will be able to assist us with developing a revolutionary feminist theory suited to the material and social conditions of this country.

She is also the author of a widely acclaimed book on the same issue, which I haven't unfortunately read.

[Spirit of Spartacus]

Communist show-of-strength on May the 26th: march on the Supreme Court of Pakistan:


http://youtube.com/watch?v=KVULY6RRILY

(chanting "the capitalists run a big shop, but it is full of stolen merchandise")


http://youtube.com/watch?v=vjRzEQgPXls

(annoying the police)


http://youtube.com/watch?v=2_g4SdMRnOg

(chanting "Freedom! Freedom!")


http://youtube.com/watch?v=gwPlNrXZHOc

(chanting "he is the president of pakistan, he is the biggest devil of them all!")


http://youtube.com/watch?v=A_GSiiuibjw

(mocking the feudal-capitalist ruling-class)

[sexyguy]

That's really brave and inspiring after what happened the other week.

[Spirit of Spartacus]

Okay everyone, the battle-lines are laid out clearly now.

Pakistan's military top-brass comes out in support of Musharraf:

http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/02/top1.htm


So the grunts are going to get in our way, eh? (as always)

[Spirit of Spartacus]

BBC report on the new developments:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6713067.stm

[sexyguy]

The move has galvanised opposition to the rule of Gen Musharraf, who is the head of the army.
Meanwhile, two TV channels have had their live broadcasts suspended.

Let’s see if there is an outcry from the international press on this one!

[Spirit of Spartacus]

Originally posted by sexyguy@June 02, 2007 04:46 pm

The move has galvanised opposition to the rule of Gen Musharraf, who is the head of the army.
Meanwhile, two TV channels have had their live broadcasts suspended.

Let’s see if there is an outcry from the international press on this one!

Oh they're certainly pretending to be outraged.

That said, the bourgeois media worldwide is making much more noise about the Venezuela and RCTV affair than it is about the curbs on the Pakistani media.

The recent restrictions on Pakistani private media outlets are genuine blows at freedom of speech, and yet the bourgeois media worldwide is too busy slinging mud at Venezuela. :angry:

Here is an article from the Pakistani newspaper, the Daily Times, which talks about this hypocrisy on the part of the American regime:

State Department’s two faces on media

By Khalid Hasan

WASHINGTON: The contrast between the mildly-worded expression of support given to media freedom by the State Department on Monday in the case of Pakistan and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s resounding denunciation of the closure by Venezuela of a single TV station has not gone unnoticed here.

On Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s decision not to renew the licence of Radio Caracas Television, Rice described in Panama on Monday as his “sharpest and most acute” move yet against democracy. She urged the Organisation of American States (OAS) to send its secretary general to Caracas to look into the closing of the station and deliver a full report on his findings.

Rice declared, “Freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of conscience are not a thorn in the side of the government. Disagreeing with your government is not unpatriotic and most certainly should not be a crime in any country, especially a democracy.” The US government also apparently backed planted an advertisement in Panama papers on Monday that said, “Without freedom of expression, there is no liberty, not in Venezuela or any other part of the world.”

The State Department’s comment on the situation in Pakistan was, “Well, we’re watching it closely … of course. This is an issue that the Pakistani people and the Pakistani government need to resolve within the confines of their law. I understand that there is a judicial process that is under way, and the media should be free to cover that process. It’s an important element of making sure that the Pakistani people are informed of what their government is doing, so it is a situation that we’re watching closely.”

[Vargha Poralli]

The recent restrictions on Pakistani private media outlets are genuine blows at freedom of speech, and yet the bourgeois media worldwide is too busy slinging mud at Venezuela.

Recent ? I have been in the understanding that censorship has been enforced ever since the coup. Even during the Kargil debacle.!!

Anyway you are doing a good work here comrade. Keep updating with the developements.

[Spirit of Spartacus]

Recent ? I have been in the understanding that censorship has been enforced ever since the coup. Even during the Kargil debacle.!!

Well, the private media here had been gaining strength slowly during the years of Musharraf's military rule.

In fact, ever since the current judicial crisis erupted, the private media has been about as outspoken as any media worldwide (at least in my opinion).

Really, they'd been openly challenging the regime for many months now. Even Musharraf himself was directly challeneged in the various talk-shows, and government ministers were being lampooned, criticized, challenged and humiliated live.


Finally, it seems, the ruling regime has lost its patience.

Anyway you are doing a good work here comrade. Keep updating with the developements.

Will do, comrade.

If the developments in Pakistan can lead towards a national bourgeois-democratic revolution, the grip of imperialism in this region will be severely weakened.

Unfortunately, at the moment, the bourgeois political forces aren't providing the kind of leadership we need.

[Louis Pio]

If the developments in Pakistan can lead towards a national bourgeois-democratic revolution, the grip of imperialism in this region will be severely weakened.

Unfortunately, at the moment, the bourgeois political forces aren't providing the kind of leadership we need.

Indeed and that is the whole problem with using the old menshevic stage theory on a country like Pakistan. The bourgiosie will never provide that leadership, they are tied hands and feet to international capital. How do you expect them to ever provide that leadership? And how will "national capitalism" ever provide any solutions for the masses of Pakistan? It's capitalism that causes the horrible living conditions for the majority of the Pakistani population.

The stage theory was and is totally utopic in regards to showing any way forward.
At best such a strategy would "only" lead to the disillousionment of worker cadres, and worst in would result in a bloodbath as happened with the movement in Pakistan earlier