Karachi December 01, 2006. Various aspects and effects of privatization were discussed by the speakers at a book launching ceremony on "the Politics of Privatization" organized by ActionAid Pakistan. Mr. Fateh Mari, Manager Actionaid Pakistan Karachi,Mr. Azhar Lashari, Mr. Saleem Raza, General Secertary National Trade Union Federation, Mr. Ghani Zaman, General secretary Karachi Shipyard Labour Union, Mr. Ali Ahmed Rind, Ms. Azra Talat Saeed, Roots For Equity, Mr. Khalik Shah, Author of "The Politics of Privatization" spoke on the occasion regarding the economic, social and political issues.

The representatives of all important trade union federations, civil society organizations and political parties attended the program.

Introduction:

The privatization of state owned establishments is one of the many anti peoples dimensions of the neo-liberal agenda of IMF, WB and WTO. 

The processes of privatization of all sorts of government and semi government organizations including industrial, financing, health and educational institutions had started from 1990 in Pakistan and all governments are  inclined to sell the assets on throw away prices to MNC and foreign private owners with out the consents of people and their representatives.

The present regime is pursuing the new libral agenda with all extra zeal because most of the ministries in Pakistan are headed by people who have served in International banks . And the regime is favored by the multinational donor agencies because of zero resistance to their policies.

The ever-growing poverty, hunger, unemployment, retrenchments from jobs, inflation and end of essential public services from state is the direct result of the mantra of privatization.    

=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The country's largest and valueable industrial complexes including PTCL, Karachi Ship Yard and Pakistan Steel Mills were put up for sale . The PTCL sale triggered a historical strike of  PTCL workers, which made great impact on workers movement while Pakistan Steel workers exposes the governments and its functionaries ulterior motives, to sale PS to their business allies, The sale was cancelled in the highest court of law, Supreme Court of Pakistan that cancelled its privatization.

Another case is the Karachi ship Yard where workers have very powerful trade union  for 35 years which fought and won the shipyard management , lead by navy admiral, who felt insulted and banned all union activities in and around the yard. In the current situation another battleground is prepared, the shipyard workers have accepted the challenge and have started struggling for their legal and constitutional rights.

Due to above unjust issues  a culture of resistance has been  building up with slow but steady pace all over the country. The dots of hope getting closer and closer and making the picture clear. The study on "Politics of privatization" is another important dot of the picture that makes the picture of struggle more clear and visible.