Pakistan

National Coalition

In Pakistan, the national platform that supports the Global Call to Action against Poverty is Bass Bohut Ho Chuka (Enough is enough)

If your organisation wishes to get involved please contact the Insan Foundation Pakistan

Mahar Safdar Ali, msafdar@insanpk.org
MDGs Campaign Coordinator Pakistan
Insan Foundation Pakistan
4. B.3 Johar Town Lahore
Phones. +92-42-5202100-5202101
Mobile. +92-3008486562
Fax. +92-42-5202102

October 17 Events

GCAP Coalitions Pakistan is arranging two main and other events around the 17 October 2007 .

1. Launch of banners in Bahawalpur on October 8, 2007. See the media report
   
2. Pakistan Labour Conference 2^nd week of October 2007
3. Bonded Labour liberation front convention in Lahore .1^st week of October 2007.
4. After the Main event we try to display world longest banners in other Major cities of the world with the collaboration of the other banners campaigners like Australia, India, Canada and South African coalitions as global banners against poverty.

Pakistan social forum, National workers party Pakistan and all wings of the party and the Muttehida Labour Federation Pakistan endorsed and fully cooperating in Banners Signature Campaign.

07-07-07 Events

GCAP coalition Pakistan and Insan Foundation Pakistan arranged a press conference at Lahore press club on 070707.

See the photo gallery

Press Conference

Campaign for registering the demands on the world’s longest banner for the poverty eradication.

Insan foundation organized press conference at the Press Club demanding the accomplishment of the Millennium development goals for which world’s longest banner signed by millions of the people from all across the Pakistan for the actualization of the millennium development goals to insure the eradication of poverty.
The press conference held on the date of 07.07.07 which is celebrated as “World environment day” for the pollution free environment which is one of Millennium Development Goal.
The participants emphasized on the actualization of the promises made by the government with the international organizations to accomplish millennium development goals by the year 2015among which the poverty eradication was at the top priority and (GCAP) Global Call to Action Against Poverty will conti8nue its struggle till the accomplishment of the targets.
The participants criticized the poor policies of the government with regards to the eradication of the poverty as evident from the increased taxes on the commodities like ghee whose price has increased due to the increase in tax by 22 Rs. The commodities previously available at 50 Rs is now has a market price of 100 Rs which amounts to the 100 Percent increase in prices while on the
other side salaries has observed meager increase of only 15 percent thus resulting ion the increased poverty and calls disparity which reveals the farce to the poverty eradication policy of the government.

The participants also criticized the increase in the budget allocation for defense and non-developmental projects instead of allocating for the welfare of the poor masses, striving for their survival in the extreme conditions where price hike is at its peak.
Participants demanded that in the upcoming elections political parties should define their agenda for the accomplishment of MDGs in their election campaign to insure the eradication of poverty which is the basic demand of every national. Political parties should define their priorities and mechanism in the election campaign about the eradication of poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and injustice by decreasing the non-developmental expenses and military budget which is just a burden on the suppressed humanity of this region and should be taken into account to make Pakistan a welfare state. Besides bogus claims of the government of eliminating poverty, no real steps have been taken so GCAP has started a campaign to put pressure on the government to cater the real problems of the masses and in this regard the world’s longest banner which is 4 km long is made on which millions of the people from all walks of life and from every corner of the Pakistan has signed to register their demands for the actualization of MDGs.

The banner was displayed during the conference to bring into light the real demands of the millions of the masses for the eradication of poverty and actualization of MDGs. Another 6 km long banner is announced to be prepared, signed by the millions of the masses portraying the demands of the masses will be displayed on 17th of October 2007 in Islamabad on the “World poverty day”.

The participants presented their demands in the pres conference
1. Issue of poverty eradication should be dealt at top priority basis.
2. Government should ensure the provision of the modern technical education without discrimination to every one to decrease unemployment resulting in proportional decrease in the poverty.
3. Government should promote pollution free industries at local and national level.
4. Government should insure the constitutional rights of the masses of respectful employment.
5. Real steps should be taken to control price hike, keeping in view the capacity of the poor masses.
6. Government should promote agricultural industry to ensure the provision of jobs to the masses.
7. Government should insure safe and conducive working environment for the women by insuring their social, economic and political rights.
8. Immediate resolution of the problems of the landless farmers.
9. Child labor and bonded labor should be banned.
10. Foreign loans taken on the name of the development of the masses should not be received without consent and permission of masses to insure accountability and transparency in allocation and expenditure.

IA Rehman, Director Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Abid Hassan Minto, President National Workers Party, Farah Malik, Program manager of Insan Foundation , Mahar Safdar Ali, MDGs campaign Coordinator and Ghaffar Malik provincial coordinator from Sindh spoke at the occasion..

2005 Events

WHITE BAND DAY II.

In Pakistan all the preparation of holding rally on 10th September 2005 to show solidarity with the people of other countries throughout the world, had a terrible blow when article 144 was imposed in Lahore due to political parties call for nation wide strike a day before (September 9-05). There was no choice but to postpone the rally and hold it on another day.

The rally was re-scheduled for 14th September 2005 on the day the UN summit began. It was a rainy day, perfect gloomy weather to suit the gloomier situation of poverty prevailing the summit. The venue Nasir Bagh was carefully selected with one end touching Punjab secretariat at the back and Government College Lahore (the oldest educational institution in Lahore) in front the other. The Punjab University on right and National College of Arts (Mayo College o yester years) on the left.

The rally commenced by flying Paper doves with messages of poverty "Eradicate Poverty---Invite Prosperity" and "Eliminate Poverty-Get Health, Education & Gender Parity" in local languages (Urdu & Punjabi)". The Participants wore White Wrist Bands and handbills on MDGs goals were distributed among the rally participants Passers by were also handed out handbills on MDGs goals and bumper stickers to put on cars, vans and other vehicles were also disseminated. Newspapers covered the event and published pictures of rally.

Elsewhere in Pakistan activities related to white band are still going on and will continue the whole of September. The reports of activities would take some time to reach as far off cities do not enjoy the Internet facilities.

BACKGROUND

WHITE BAND DAY I – JULY 2005

Photo gallery White Band day I

On July 1, 2005 a grand walk (four hundred people) was organized in which school children, community members, NGOs and other relevant people took part. On this day million of people around the world wore white bands and wrapped public buildings in white to send a message to the G8 world leaders that they demand action on trade justice, debt cancellation, and more and better aid.

The campaign

Pakistan-based Insan Foundation launched an unusual signature campaign in January.

In order to give impetus to the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, the Insan Foundation organized a signature drive in Pakistan. Apart from using traditional methods, the campaigners employed unusual tools, such as puppets to sensitize people to poverty issues.

Activists in Pakistan including community groups, trade unions, individuals, religious and faith groups committed to forcing world leaders to make a breakthrough on poverty in 2005 are all coming together. The Millennium Campaign is a member of the Global Call to Action against Poverty, supporting campaign activity in Pakistan and around the world.

Supporting Organisations:

Cholistan Development Council, Farooq Ahmaed Khan, +92 621 883045, cwc_bwp@yahoo.com

Sindh Development Society, Abdul Ghaffar Malik, +92 222 616 784, sdshyq@hotmail.com