Government supporters covered the Prime Minister's home town of Lahore with propaganda trying to show massive pro-nuclear sentiment. But over 3000 peace activists gathered outside the Punjab Assembly Building on May 28, to demonstrate their opposition to the nuclear madness. They chanted '"Bread not Bombs, Education not Bombs!"
The demonstration was organised by the Labour Party Pakistan in collaboration with the Communist Mazdoor Kisan [Worker-Peasant] Party. But a representative crosssection of society was present: political parties, community-based organisations, trade unions, and student unions.
Unfortunately, the massive backdrop of official banners and posters confused some passers-by into thinking that this was a pro-nuclear demonstration! But many others gave quick victory signs once they understood the nature of the
Renowned Left leader Tahira Mazhar Ali regretted the official celebrations while the masses driven economic hardship committing suicide. "It is sheer
We need bread not bombs. We need housing, clothing,
La nuclear free region", she said. "Is it hunger, poverty and suicide that the rulers are celebrating?" She demanded an immediate end to the nuclear race in the region.
Farooq Tariq, General Secretary Labour Party Pakistan, was critical of Punjab Law Minister Raja Bhasharat who says the peace activists are "traitors" and "bread not bombs" an "anti-national slogan. According in Baluchistan [the province where the nuclear testing and dumping of nuclear waste took place] as a black day. Sind Province boycotted the so-called celebration organised by the government. This demonstration in Lahore proves that the working class, community-based organisations, trade unions and students of Punjab do not approve of the celebration. Tariq also criticised Punjab Minister Pir Benyamin for harassing blackmailing governmental organisations.
Ex-Federal Minister and Convener of the Pakistan-India Forum for
Democracy, Mubhashar Hasan demanded an immediate end to the shelling at the Line of Control between India and Pakistan. He further demanded that the two sides sit around a table to seek a peaceful solution to all the
"War is no solution. It just adds to the misery of toiling masses", he observed.
Syed Azim, Temur Hasan, and other noted political activists also spoke on the occasion. Asghar Ali sang a peace song from a peasant-based organisation in Punjab. Its
"Until the changes, wars will continue"
The author is a leading member of the Labour Party Pakistan. A shorter version of this article previously appeared in Green Left Weekly. Additional content by BS.
International Viewpoint #313 July 1999 17
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