Pakistan: cadre school builds internationalism

PAKISTAN, July 23—Thirty-three families participated in a Progressive Labor Party (PLP) Summer Cadre School in Pakistan for one week in July. Some of the topics that were discussed included: How establishing a classless society is the only way the working class can get rid of poverty and exploitation.  How communism is the only way to make this world a prosperous and peaceful place to live without prejudices and slavery. How the bosses are making the working class emotionally enslaved by injecting religious and racial prejudices. How the bosses are spreading fundamentalism, nationalism, racism and sectarianism to keep the working class divided and fighting with each other. How to build the fight against ethnic and racial divisions that the bosses spread in the working class. How to build a communist party and movement for a workers led revolution. The school was held at a hilly station at the border of India and Pakistan.

It was very nice to see the people on the other side of the border waving their hands and exchanging good words with us. People from India and Pakistan were separated by a 25-30 meters wide river. We showed them the small banner displaying the PLP monogram with “Fight for Communism” and “One flag, one fight…Workers of the world unite.” We also threw some CHALLENGEs in English and Urdu by wrapping stones with them and it was very fascinating when some people kissed them to show their love for us and communism.

Discussing plans for fightback
We chalked out a plan of activities for the remaining months; we analyzed the tactics we used to meet new people and evaluated our struggle while participating/organizing reform activities. Young and senior comrades were excited to explore new ways to strengthen our struggle at the workplaces, campuses, shops and farms.

We also discussed the political situation in Pakistan and reached the point that the political chaos, devastating economic situation, terrorism and surveillance is a result of inter-imperialist rivalry as well as the enmity among the pro-China and pro-U.S. groups in the bureaucracy, establishment and ruling class.

We, the working class, know that bosses are also using misleaders from the trade unions to protect the interests of the capitalist class. These misleaders are being supported by every means to spread illusion and fear among the workers. They never talk against the contractual workforce being employed by the bosses to earn more profit without fear of strikes, they never struggle for unionizing the workers and they never help the harassed, tortured or injured workers.

Most of the discussion was led by young comrades. They took interest in the history of the Party and how our Party matured our line from nationalism to communism. Participants were enthusiastic while discussing base building and participating/organizing reform struggles. Young students and senior workers shared the experiences they got while participating in strikes and sit-ins.  Comrades were keen to  share their experiences and learn lessons from international comrades.

We concluded our summer camp by endorsing, appreciating and congratulating the new leadership collective at the 2023 PLP convention. After singing The Internationale and chanting slogans like “Long live communism, down with imperialism”, “One flag one fight, workers of world unite” and “Long live PLP” our summer camp was over.