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‘Time to give up
criminal indifference’
Interview: Farooq Tariq
in Sahara times India 16/11/2007
Ever since the imposition of martial law in the guise of emergency by
General Musharraf, nearly all the democratic forces are slugging out on
the streets. While hundreds of thousands of political opponents of
Musharraf government have been arrested in military crackdown, some
prominent leaders are still evading arrest and continuing their
activities from their undisclosed hideout. Farooq Tariq of Pak Labour
Party, a democratic socialist organization launched in 1997 encompassing
various elements of the Pakistani Left, is the one such leader. His
struggle against military regime goes back to General Zia’s military
dictatorship in early 1980s when he was a student at Punjab University.
He was forced by the General Zia government to live in exile for almost
8 years in Holland and England. In 1986, he returned to Pakistan to
create a struggle group. Over the past two decades, he has strenuously
worked to build a good trade union base in socio-political milieu of
Pakistan.
Farooq Tariq shared subtleties and nuances of his underground struggle
with Manoj Kumar of Sahara Time on e-mail. Excerpts:
Q: Are you satisfied with thecomplexion of street protests against the
military clampdown?
A: I am evading arrest ever since the clampdown began. There has been
heavy-handed attempt to apprehend me and put behind the bars, but so far
I have managed to guide my comrades from my hideout. Over the past week,
there is reason for us to smile as street protests are not only
continuing but also growing in size. Initially, it was advocates, left
and human rights activists, but the situation has changed dramatically
over the last couple of days as Benazir Bhutto has announced her
decision to join the mass protest.
Q: How do you look at Benazir Bhutto's move to turn against the military
government, with which she has been negotiating a power-sharing deal?
A: It's a huge sigh of relief for political opposition parties. Benazir
has got the pulse of people, and thankfully, she has got it right in
nick of time. Her demand for resignation of President Musharraf has
infused a new lease of life into street protest. With International
pressure mounting as the British foreign secretary, David Miliband has
issued clear warning to General Musharraf to lift emergency in a
week-long time, people of Pakistan are feeling more relaxed and joining
the street protest in greater number.
Q: All along lawyers and human rights activists fought pitched battle
with the military government. Why have the political parties of Pakistan
failed to mobilize masses?
A: It does take some time before a broad spectrum of masses takes to the
street. Though there are several intimidating reasons for discouraging
masses, the most ugliest one is the amendment by General Musharraf in
the Army Act 1952, which gives sweeping power to the army to court
martial civilians. Under this amendment, the army is hounding hundreds
of political activists of all parties-PPP, PML (N), Tehreek-e-Insaaf and
LPP and trying them on charges of treason, sedition and for making
speeches against the military government. But the situation this time
round is different, so is the growing anger in civilians. I also
appreciate Nawaz Sharif for writing a letter of reconciliation to
Benazir Bhutto. It gives people more reason to join the anti-Emergency
movement as Benazir has accepted his proposal. She has apparently
expressed her party's desire to cobble a coalition of all democratic,
socialist forces in Pakistan. The Labour Party of Pakistan considers her
move as a turning point in the struggle for restoration of Constitution
and for powering the movement for the independence of judiciary, mind
and civil society.
Q: How much hope do you have in the American and British governments?
A: We are fighting a final battle and this fight is more about the
independence of mind in Pakistan. America is realizing its mistake in
foolishly backing one man's whims and fancies. International community
is concerned that Pak people are fighting to go ahead. If we lose this
battle between human rights and martial law, civilisation and barbarism,
rule of law and rule of army, Pakistan will slip into vicious clutches
of dark ages. It's time for each Pakistani to give up selfish personal
interests and to stand up and be counted.
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