Aman Ittehad rally tomorrow

Thursday, December 31, 2009
Our correspondent

Islamabad

Aman Ittehad will observe Solidarity Day with all those affected by violence and injustice by simultaneously organising public rallies tomorrow (Friday) at 3:00pm in 38 locations across the country.

The Ittehad is a citizens’ platform, connecting trade unions, media, students, lawyers, youth organisations, minority groups, NGOs, academia and business groups across the country.

As the new decade begins, the Aman Ittehad’s Solidarity Day will reaffirm citizens’ belief in the indivisibility of peace and a commitment to struggle for democratic governance, rule of law, justice and a life of dignity for all.

Addressing the media in this connection here at the National Press Club, Mohammad Tahseen and Ali Asghar Khan along with members of the Ittehad from Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab, NWFP and FATA said the Solidarity Day expresses a resolve to strive for stronger democracy and democratic institutions.

In Islamabad, the Aman Ittehad will hold a peace rally from China Chowk to the Parliament on January 1 at 3:00pm.

Critical of the role of the state as an imposer, oppressor and non-deliverer, the alliance leaders demanded a redefinition of the state’s relationship with citizens by shifting its priorities from a security state to one that is unambiguously oriented towards development and responsive to the needs of all its citizens irrespective of gender, class, nationality, religion, occupation, age, etc. They called for the supremacy of the Parliament and an end to the dominance of military and its agencies in political and governance processes.

Identifying extreme inequality and disenfranchisement as the causes of extremism, they called for reforming all state institutions, governance and rules pertaining to key sectors of the economy in order to ensure efficiency, equity and accountability. It also called for a social contract between the state and the citizens, based on the 1940 resolution, establishing equal rights of all citizens, provinces and nationalities.

The social contract must recognise the primacy of ownership of resources at the provincial level as well as the need for their equitable distribution among the federating units, they said. It urged upon citizens to celebrate diversity, promote pluralism and ensure that the function of the state is separated from personal religious beliefs.