AWP protests against power tariffs hike, inflation, unemployment, economic injustice in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Awami Workers Party (AWP) and trade unions organized a protest rally at Aabpara Chowk in Islamabad on Saturday (Aug 17) against the sharp increase in the prices of electricity, inflation, economic injustice, unemployment as well as violation of basic human rights.

The protest march was attended by residents of Katchi Abadis, leaders of progressive parties, trade union OGDCL, the Left Democratic Front, Progressive Students Federation (PrSF), Women Democratic Front (WDF), Dada Amir Haider committee, and others.

The protesters demanded the government prevent Pakistan’s economic decline, stop capacity payments to private power plants, audit all IPPs for overcharging, and make them renegotiate their contracts. If IPPs continue with their destructive policy, they should be nationalized to save Pakistan from complete economic collapse, the protest organizers said.

Iqbal Jahan, General Secretary, AWP Rawalpindi-Islamabad said that Pakistan is currently facing the worst economic and social crisis in its 77-year history.

“Because of high inflation working and lower middle-class people are forced to commit suicide. Global imperialists as well as Pakistan’s ruling class are responsible for this disaster,” he added.

Zeeshan Ahmed, deputy secretary AWP Rwp-Isb said that the capacity payment to IPPs is extracted from the pockets of the common people through various taxes, and increases in electricity, petrol, diesel, and sugar prices. Currently, working-class people are paying more electricity bills than they are paying house rent. Meanwhile, the rich and powerful grab lands and make billions from real estate, pay no tax and exert untold repression on anyone who challenges them.

Qazi Hakeem leader of AWP said that the current power crisis and the sharp rise in bills are a result of the neoliberal development prescription imposed on Pakistan by the IMF and the power generation’s privatization. He said that 22 private power companies generate expensive electricity, and the government puts the entire burden on the consumers.

Ammar Rashid, party orgaznier, appealed to all democratic, progressive parties as well as working class, youth, students, and small traders to get united and get the country out of the current crises, resist the rent-seeking policy of the ruling elite, who have captured land and natural resources and selling them to foreign capitalists and struggle for creating a socialist, people’s democratic, humane and just system.

He also demanded that the demolition of shelters in Katchi Abadis in Islamabad should be stopped and the Supreme Court’s verdict on the provision of alternative housing to dwellers of informal settlements should be ensured.

Mustafa Tariq called attention to the economic fallout for working people due to the internet slowdown. A large number of young working people who rely on digital freelancing for their livelihoods have been left completely devastated, the latest example of how so-called ‘national security’ concerns continue to trump the real needs and aspirations of Pakistan’s people.

Dr Farzana Bari said that due to inflation, working women are being affected the most. Violence and extremism are increasing due to suffocation in society, and incidents of violence against marginalized citizens, women, children, and trans-communities are increasing. She voiced AWP’s support for women-led rights movements which is speaking up for all ethnic peripheries and working masses.