Shout Out For Pakistan: Cancel the debts.

Over 100,000 leaflets are being distributed by a team of motivated 16 young activists in Lahore on Tangas (horse ridden carts). Today is the fourth day of this activism. It will end today alongside with thousands internationally shouting for Pakistan for cancellation of foreign debt. A rally in Islamabad will also bring hundreds in front of National parliament to demand from Pakistan People’s Party government to say no to payments of foreign debts and spend it on the flood affectees.

Labour Relief Campaign is organizing four days of activism in Lahore in association with Oxfam from 11^thOctober till 14 October against Pakistan debts on the call of several international organizations includingJubilee South – Asia/Pacific Movement on Debt and Development (JSAPMDD), Jubilee South European Network on Debt and Development (EURODAD), CADTM International, Jubilee USA Network, Jubilee Debt Campaign UK, Debt and Development Coalition Ireland,  South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE), Freedom from Debt Coalition Philippines (FDC), Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF), Equity and Justice Working Group- Bangladesh (EquityBd), SUPRO Bangladesh, Koalisi Anti-Utang Indonesia (KAU), Institute for Essential Services Reform Indonesia (IESR), Monitoring Sustainability of Globalization Malaysia (MSN), Rural Reconstruction Nepal (RRN), LDC Watch and Migrant Forum Asia (MFA).

The leaflet is warmly received where ever it is been distributed in Lahore. During the last three days, almost one fourth of Lahore is been covered by 6 tangas decorated with banners and hoardings on all three sides. The Lahorities are surprised to see the revival of tanga advertisements, which was once the most popular way of promoting a specific event mainly the inauguration of the new cinema films, wrestling and political public rallies.

On 13^th October, they leafleted the railway workers in Lahore and participated in one of their mass rally to demand for more wages and action against corrupt officials. The railway workshops once had over 20,000 workers, now reduced to fewer than 10,000. The Railway Workers Union is one of the affiliate of National Trade Union Federation. NTUF is one of the nine organizations that make up the Labour relief Campaign.

The leaflet explains that Pakistan must refuse to pay foreign debt and divert the amount on relief and rehabilitation of flood hit communities. Instead of begging for much-needed aid for relief and rehabilitation, Pakistan must stand up and announce unilateral suspension of repayment of foreign debts, owed to International Finance Institutions, donor countries and clubs. Currently Pakistan is paying about US $ 3 billion on debt servicing every year. As Pakistan present foreign debt of $ 54 billion is increasing, the debt servicing will be up by the same ratio. This act alone can bring most of the much need support for the immediate relief of the flood victims. Pakistan is paying over $3 billion on debt servicing every year on average. As far the 2010, this amount is over $5 billion, which Pakistan will be paying to its creditors amid 20 million people crying for most urgent basic needs; food, clothes, shelter, health and education.

The tanga march is also been taken up by the Urdu and English print and electronic media and they have published news about the distribution of the leaflets. The issue of foreign loan is been discussed by the masses in Lahore for the first time after the campaign started two months earlier. The LRC has already organized a multi party conference, two press conferences and one major rally on the issue. However, the tange march is bringing the message to ordinary citizens of Lahore in a powerful manner. Many are amazed to see the revival of tanga culture and also the message is also been received very well.