Pakistan Solidarity Campaign, Uk

PSC is a progressive and independent organisation which strives to promote human, civil, economic, social, and political rights in Pakistan.

Pakistan Solidarity Campaign UK (PSC)

Introduction

The decades of trials and tribulations have led Pakistan to a crossroad. It has before it, on one hand, a path that leads to social backwardness, deprivation, and despair, and on the other, a path of hope, democracy, and freedom.

The forces of backwardness that keep it steeped in poverty, ignorance, religious extremism and violence, continue unabated. They maintain an iron grip on power and wealth. Their hold on the minds of young and old is formidable. Under such a social set up, Pakistan has plummeted in many areas of human development and has gone in the direction opposite to modern social progress.

Pakistan has one of the highest poverty rates in the world; 40% of Pakistanis live under the poverty line, even though it is a country with abundant natural resources that everyone can benefit from. Only about half of the adult population is literate, and the education of the masses does not show signs of improvement given the attacks made on schools, universities and centres of learning by both religious extremists and state administrators bent on privatizations. Wide-scale unemployment brings desparation to young and old, who are finding it extremely difficult to provide for their families. The highly patriarchal set up of society is an oppressive shackle on the ankles of women, who are prevented from fulfilling their role as equals of men. The variety of indignities faced by the Baloch, Sindhis and Pushtuns who do not see or share in the prosperity faced by their Punjab fellow-citizens has turned our country into a cauldron of conflict. The long-running destructive relationship of Pakistan with India is also a massive drain on our psyche and potential, where resources and efforts that should be dedicated towards peaceful development and progress are instead channelled towards hate, militarism and fear-mongering.

But even with such an array of troubles, there is hope for an alternative, a cause to struggle for a progressive society. A mind emancipated from prejudice, from ignorance, and from dogmatism is the most powerful thing. True patriotism emerges from such an enlightened attitude. Vast resources are expended by the wealthy and powerful on mass media to control the minds and ideas of people. But this is a battle that they cannot win as long as progressive ideas exist, expressed through literature, music, cinema, open-minded debates and dialogue, cultural exchange, and solidarity events. Such real interaction brings out the true will of the people, for when they come together in peace and solidarity; they come together for the creation of a socially tolerant, modern Pakistan that is free of prejudice, oppression and exploitation. This is the path Pakistan must take up at its crossroad.

The Pakistan Solidarity Campaign (PSC) is a progressive and independent organisation which strives to promote human, civil, economic, social, and political rights in Pakistan. It supports the enactment and enforcement of progressive laws that protect working people and all those under the heel of injustice. It supports the peoples’ struggle against all kind of exploitation, for the attainment of freedom and social justice.

Keeping these aims in mind, the PSC seeks to provide a platform to the Pakistani diaspora and young people for dialogue, exchange of ideas and reflection on the challenges facing Pakistani people, as well as wider society.
Objectives:

1 Raise awareness of the economic and political demands of the Pakistan people and help them to achieve their aspirations.

2 Expose injustice in the social, political and economic life of Pakistan.

3 Reinforce the links that promote solidarity with Pakistani people and co-ordinate such solidarity work in UK, Europe and the rest of the World. Support those grass roots organisations that are involved in the struggle against the hegemonism, multinational corporations and international banking organisations such as the World Bank and the IMF.

4 The repeal of all discriminatory laws and restrictions on the right of assembly, association, expression and peaceful protest in Pakistan.

5 Respect of human rights and civil liberties in Pakistan, in accordance with the universal declaration of human rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

6 The PSC aims to work with trade unions, student groups, other solidarity groups, and many other campaigning, cultural, trade union and political organisations in Pakistan, Britain and worldwide.

7 To end all forms of discrimination on the pretext of sexual, gender, ethnic and religious rights.

8 To protect rights of religious minorities in Pakistan and an end to minoritisation on confessional basis.

9 To promote the right to a universal free education for all children and a campaign to eliminate child labour and child abuse.

10 Link with other progressive and South Asian organisations in the UK to promote peace and regional cooperation in South Asia.

11 To Liaise /provide skill transfer, humanitarian & relief work

To achieve these objectives, the PSC resolves to undertake
 Advocacy
 Public meetings, Film screenings, talks /debates and lectures /seminars on various issues
 Media campaigns
 Publications
 Cultural events and festivals celebrating the cultural heritage

We welcome all progressive and secular minded individuals who share our goals to join us or work together in alliance.