Press release
The Awami Workers Party (AWP) has condemned the Islamabad administration for not allowing an indoor educative programme for women activists.
Women Democratic Front had planned a two-day political school for its activists and booked a youth hostel hall. But the management of the Pakistan Youth Hostel informed the WDF organisers a day before the event that they can’t use their premises for the event citing security reason.
The AWP President Yousuf Mustikhan in a statement declared the move an effort to stifle radical voices an attack on freedom of expression and silencing the emerging strong feminist movement.
“On the one hand extremist parties and hatemongers are allowed to occupy public places, disrupt civic life, peace and preach hate while on the other hand a closed door peaceful educative programme for women rights activists is not allowed,” he lamented.
This shows the ill-intentions and mindset of the establishment which have promoted and patronized extremism in society and suppressed voices of decent and resistance.
The AWP president termed this act a violation of fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan which guarantees the right to freedom of association, expression, education and public gatherings. But the bureaucracy has deprived Women’s Democratic Front of these rights in the federal capital by refusing to hold an indoor event.
This also puts a question mark on the credibility of the so-called democratic government and a threat to the democratic system.
He called upon the opposition parties, progressive forces to take notice of this act and get united and resist the increasing interference in political system by undemocratic forces.
He congratulated the WDF leaders and activists for organising the first socialist feminist school at an alternative place where they discussed scholastic papers and articles on women issues.
AWP will stand with the socialist working class movements for resisting authoritarianism, fascism and neo-liberal economic agenda of the imperialist forces and proxies and struggle for establishing a socialist society free from all kinds of exploitation including gender, class, and national oppression.
Issued by Information secretary