Bulletin N°62 2026 * Special Correspondent Karachi
A total dictatorship has been imposed on the country. This time, through the guise of democratic institutions. To address this situation, a conference of democratic forces was convened at the Karachi Press Club at the invitation of the Popular Left Alliance. During the conference, police surrounded the Press Club and arrested most of the attendees at the entrance, including Comrade Hussain Fatmi, leader of the Communist Party of Pakistan, Comrade Ramzan Memon, leader of the National Party, and several human rights activists. They were later released after being detained for several hours. The attendees strongly condemned this action.The conference brought together Comrade Imdad Qazi, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Pakistan and Alliance Coordinator, Abdul Khaliq Junejo, Chairman of the Jeay Sindh Mahaz 1 , Noor Ahmed Katiar of the Awami Tehreek 2 , Munir Naich of the Sindh United Party 3 , Khadim Talpur of the Awami Jamhoori Party 4 , ... as well as representatives of various trade unions and social and professional organizations.
On this occasion, Comrade Imdad Qazi stated that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf 5 and Imran Khan 6 came to power with the support of authoritarian forces and therefore could not be considered democratic. He stated that martial law is still in effect in the country and that the PML-N 7 and the PPP 8 are complicit with the anti-democratic forces and their actions. He added that, under the PECA 9 law and an anti-democratic regime, freedom of expression is violated. He also revealed that the permanent siege of the Karachi Press Club and the arrest of political activists on the orders of the Sindh PPP government 10 prove that this party no longer believes in democracy, civil rights, human rights, or freedom of expression. Noor Ahmed Katiar, of Awami Tehreek 11 , asserted that after SIFC 12 and the 18th Amendment , democracy was effectively destroyed. He pointed out that Imaan Mazari and her husband were sentenced to 17 years in prison each under the PECA Act, while those who violated the Constitution, overthrew democracy, imposed national unity, and hijacked the judiciary and Parliament went unpunished. He accused the ruling power of orchestrating terrorism in Karachi to divide Sindh and cede Karachi to the federation. Abdul Khaliq Junejo stated that the 1973 Constitution does not guarantee national and democratic rights and has been used to seize Sindh's resources. He emphasized that Sindh joined Pakistan voluntarily under the 1940 resolution and is not conquered territory. He called for a broad democratic alliance against the dictatorship.
Fayaz Naich, of the United Party of Sindh 13 , asserted that a political dictatorship has dominated the country from the beginning, that the elections were rigged, and that resistance, as well as protest, are now necessary.
Khadim Talpur stated that Sindh has been ravaged by its leaders, that millions are suffering from hunger, and that millions of children are not attending school. He stressed the need for a genuine democratic system. Speakers from Gilgit-Baltistan , Kashmir, trade unions, and civil society highlighted the rampant inflation, unemployment, poverty, political repression, enforced disappearances, and political crisis gripping the country.
At the end of the conference, several resolutions were adopted, including:
A deep concern regarding the situation in Balochistan and a demand for political and democratic solutions in accordance with the will of the people.
The complete withdrawal of the army from political life and state affairs.
The recognition of Pakistan as a multinational state, granting equal status, rights and control of resources to all its national entities
The repeal of recent constitutional amendments, in particular the PECA law, the 26th and 27th amendments, the Mining and Minerals Act, green tourism projects and the SIFC.
The distribution of land to landless peasants and the cancellation of industrial agriculture projects.
An end to enforced disappearances and the immediate release of all political prisoners. The abolition of death squads, the CTD, and Annex Four of the Constitution. A 50% reduction in administrative spending and an increase in education and health budgets.
A 50% reduction in electricity, gas and fuel prices.
The restoration of student unions and workers' rights.
The immediate holding of local elections and the decentralization of powers.
Food subsidies and agricultural reforms.
The conference also expressed its solidarity with the victims of the recent tragedies and demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible. Participants condemned the increasing pressure exerted on press clubs and journalists and demanded an end to the harassment. They also strongly condemned the US imperialist aggression in Venezuela and the preparations for attacks against Iran, urging the government to take a clear stance against such actions.
9. The PECA order stipulates that the exemption granted to television stations holding a PEMRA license was abolished by the 2016 Electronic Crimes Act. Now, the dissemination of false information about a person on television, as well as mocking reports or remarks, can also be considered electronic crimes.
10 Sindh is a province of Pakistan, located in the southeast of the country. It is the third largest Pakistani province by area and the second most populous (after Punjab).
11 The Awami Tahreek or Qaumi Awami Tehreek, formerly Sindhi Awami Tahreek (Sindhi Popular Movement), is a Marxist-Leninist-Maoist political party based in the Pakistani province of Sindh.
13 The United Party of Sindh (SUP) is a Sindhi nationalist regional political party which aims to grant the people of Sindh democratic rights in their homeland and which advocates for the strengthening of provincial rights.
14 Gilgit-Baltistan, or formerly the Northern Territories, is an administrative region in northern Pakistan