Leftists stage protest against US war on terror

* Speaker says aim of protest is to show solidarity with UN Antiwar Committee, demand government stop drone attacks

By Arsalan Haider

LAHORE: Leftist political parties and movements, on Sunday, held a protest against the ‘so-called US war on terror’ at the Charing Cross. The protesters chanted slogans against the US war on terror, drone attacks, NATO’s supply and attack on Libya.

They also demanded the US government to stop drone attacks, to shut down all American ports in Pakistan and to wind up wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.

The parties that were protesting included the Labour Party Pakistan, Awami Party, Workers Party Pakistan, Awami Jamhuri Forum, Socialist Revolution Movement, National Student Federation, National Trade Union Federation, Railway Workers Union and Pakistan Kissan Rabta Committee.

The speakers, while addressing the audience, said that the spreading US poison in the name of war on terror can be seen in Afghanistan and Iraq, an example of which is the increasing crime rate there.

They added, “The same war had spread over to Pakistan where a large number of people lost their lives and millions lost their homes due to the US drone attacks.”

They said that the Pakistan Army had started conducting raids in the southern parts of the country on behalf of the US.

The speakers said that the US is a partner in the crime of pushing the movements in Middle East and North Africa, which had started as a mark of protest against their cruel rulers and the investor class.

Labour Party Pakistan General Secretary, Rana Aslam, told Daily Times that the purpose of the demonstration was to show solidarity with the United National Antiwar Committee.

He added that demonstration of thousands of Americans against their government is proof that “it is not a war of cultures but it is a war of rights”.

Aslam added that the US government is spending billions of dollars on the wars, which is also affecting the social expenses. He added, “Similarly, the government of Pakistan has also shortened the development budget and increased the defence budget by upto 25 percent.” Aslam added that all parties are also going to hold demonstrations in several cities across the country, including Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Multan and Hyderabad.

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