ALL SECULAR PAKISTANIS NEED TO UNITE 

Family of the Heart - DIALOGUE & DISCUSSIONS 

Dear Friends and co revolutionaries

Last January I was in Toronto to speak at a very important seminar organized by FORTH. The topic was Can Secular Forces Unite In Pakistan?

I am of the opinion that the secular forces in Pakistan are divided and fragmented. As Dr Sohail very rightly points out in his intro to the purpose of the seminar. The Pakistani secular forces are truly and shamefully pitched against each other on the question of combating the Taliban and the religious fanaticism that has perpetuated in our society.

I am of the opinion that the time for the unification of the secular forces is running out faster than ever. Swat has fallen as I predicted at the question and answer session after the seminar. And if nothing is done soon and fast then there is grave danger that the belt of pushtun valley that stretches to South Punjab via D I K and Multan will be the next to slip out of the hands of the state.

The American administration has quietly accepted the Swat 'peace declaration' which actually is an instrument of surrender on behalf of the Pakistan Military. The Pakistani government has lost its will to fight the insurgents. There are sections of the Pakistan military secretly funding and supporting the Taliban with vital intelligence. The only people who are the true victims of this war on terror are the innocent masses of Pakistan.

I am of the opinion that the only way to combat the menace of religious fanaticism in Pakistan is to organize the people on grass root level in small towns and villages. Armed, Revolutionary Defense Committees should be formed and it is in these committees that all secular forces should joins hands to fight back the insurgency.

Unless this happens the masses will be left with no choice other than to welcome a multinational military presence in the region to prevent them from being butchered by the Taliban. That will be a grave tragedy. Let us come to our senses and start building these defense committees.

In Solidarity

Dr Amjad Ayub Mirza

International Secratary

Labour Party Pakistan

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