Define or be defined: People take your politics, seriously, says Minto

AWP leaders stressed the need for understanding individuals’ role in politics.

ISLAMABAD:

The movement for change needs to come from within the people, but it cannot happen unless they are organised to demand an end to the tyranny of feudal, economic and corrupt ruling elites, leaders of the leftist Awami Workers Party (AWP) said on Saturday.

The AWP leadership vowed to transform the structure of political, economic and social power in the country to liberate its working classes at a conference of the party at the Rawalpindi Press Club.

The conference was attended by over 200 political workers, trade unionists, students, katchi abadi residents and citizens of the twin cities.

AWP Central President Abid Hassan Minto said the people want to see a change in the system but do not possess the strength yet to cause that change.

There are only “two ways” to orchestrate a change in the system, Minto said.

“You need to know what it is exactly that you want and then assemble the power to achieve that goal.”

But he said the power to change the system is not something one man or a non-governmental organisation can provide. It has to come from the people, he said.

“The first condition to achieving that power is to organise the party,” Minto said. The struggle to achieve change is “treacherous journey,” one that cannot be covered just by shouting slogans.

He added that awareness among the people needs to be bolstered with organizational strengthening. “Once the people accept the message, it will not be too late before a revolution starts brewing.”

Minto dispelled the rumours that there were some internal disagreements or “confusions” between the different leftist parties that merged to form the AWP in November 2012.

AWP Punjab General Secretary Aasim Sajjad said the slogan of change has been misused by  politicians to deceive the public. He said it is the left-wing’s challenge to develop an ideological politics which leads to a state that cares for its people.

Sajjad echoed Minto when he said that the equality and end to exploitation is not possible with awareness or ideology alone but organisation is also needed to accomplish these goals.

In speeches interspersed with slogans for workers’ and peasants’ rights, speakers said that the left threatens all aspects of the status quo, and its principled politics without compromise has resulted in state repression. Yet the AWP is alive and well and bringing a new generation of workers in leadership positions.

The new office-bearers for the AWP’s Rawalpindi-Islamabad district committee were also elected prior to the conference. He said the party is looking to organise its cadres by April, after which a general congress of the party will be held.

The newly elected President Nazish Zahoor and Secretary-General Shehak Sattar also spoke.

The conference concluded with a cultural programme which featured a stage play by the National Students Federation.

The play focused on the exploitation of ordinary Pakistani at the hands of a conniving group of politicians, clergy, military, businessmen and the media.

Party’s Islamabad chapter information secretary Ammar Rashid performed a song based on the Habib Jalib’s popular poem “mein nay uss se yeh kaha.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th, 2014.