HYDERABAD, Feb 29: The Communist Party of Pakistan (CPP) has asked the new political leadership to immediately stop military operations in Balochistan and NWFP and wind up the so-called war on terror which it termed a ‘war for protection of American interests’.

Congratulating three major parties, PPP, PML(N) and ANP, the CPP expressed its satisfaction on election results despite certain reservations over pre-poll rigging.

At a meeting held at Qasimabad on Friday night, the CPP observed that the parties, which contested elections, had not addressed the issues confronting the working class.

It asked the new government to take up the issue of repealing the Industrial Relations Ordinance 2002 which General Musharraf issued to appease industrialists at the cost of labour and the contract system in factories.

It also asked to abolish feudalism and introduce land reforms.

The CPP put the following demands to the new government: restoration of constitution of 1973 in its original shape, an independent and peaceful foreign policy, independent election commission, complete provincial autonomy, stopping military operation and seeking solution by initiating dialogue with people in Balochistan and Frontier provinces, to rehabilitate economy by stopping privatisation and encouraging both public and private sectors.

It also demanded end to the involvement of army, air force, navy and police in corporate affairs, fixing of ceiling of land to 50 acres in non-riverine areas and 25 acres in riverine areas by introducing land reforms and collective farming.

It asked for ending the jihadi culture and killing of people in the name of Islam. It also appealed to parties of All Pakistan Democratic Movement (APDM) to discard such parties from their rank which believed and encouraged Jihad and to enter the mainstream of anti-imperialism forces.

It said that CPP was of the view that imperialists were advancing the Osama Bin Laden theory only to control oil, gas and energy resources of the Muslim world. The new leadership should keep away from serving interests of USA and other imperialist powers under the guise of Osama.

It asked the new government that this was the best time to discard establishment from power and in case of failure the establishment would advance rightist forces as an alternate.

—PPI