Socialist Movement Pakistan

Socialist Movement Pakistan (SMP) is a Trotskyist political party in Pakistan affiliated to the Committee for a Workers' International.

Socialist Movement Pakistan
Founded2004
IdeologyMarxism
Socialism
Trotskyism
Political positionFar-left
International affiliationCommittee for a Workers' International
ColoursRed
Website
www.socialistpakistan.org

The SMP was formally founded in Lahore on 17 April 2004, with the merger of the United Socialist Party (a sympathising section of the CWI) and the Marxist Workers' Tendency.[1]

The SMP is highly critical of US policy and involvement in Pakistan, but likewise condemns Islamic fundamentalist groups such as the Taliban, which it considers to be dangerously reactionary.[2]

The party supported in the Occupy movement in Pakistan.[3]

Elections

In 2005, there were 11 SMP members elected to local councils in Pakistan, 8 in Karachi and one each in Dadu, Shikarpur and Dir, winning over 15,000 votes.[4][5]

SMP is planning on using the upcoming elections to agitate for the need for a new workers party, and are holding a conference of trade unionists on the issue in March, 2008.[6]

Trade Unions

SMP members were in the leadership of the campaign to stop the privatisation of the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL) and the party has been a long time supporter of PTCL workers.[7][8]

SMP also founded the Trade Union Rights Campaign Pakistan (TURCP), which had its founding conference in November 2005, with over 300 trade unions leaders and activists in attendance.[9]

References
  1. Founding meeting of ‘Socialist Movement’ held in Lahore, www.socialistworld.net, 14 May 2004.
  2. Leftist parties unite on one platform, Let Us Build Pakistan, 30 December 2009.
  3. Anti-capitalism rally: Taking cue from Occupy Wall Street movement, The Express Tribune, 27 October 2011.
  4. Local elections expose Musharraf’s sham of democracy, www.socialistworld.net, 29 October 2005.
  5. The emerging class struggle and capitalist crisis in Asia, www.socialistworld.net, 11 January 2006.
  6. New twists and turns in Pakistani politics, www.socialistworld.net, 24 August 2007.
  7. Pakistani workers revolt against PTCL privatization, www.wsws.org, 4 June 2005.
  8. Socialist Movement Pakistan (SMP) solidarity with PTCL workers (in Urdu), www.ptclworkers.com, 30 October 2010.
  9. Breakthrough first National Convention of Trade Union Rights Campaign Pakistan (TURCP), www.socialistworld.net, 28 November 2006.
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