The Sindh Employees' Alliance, a joint body of teachers' organizations/employees representing 300,000 teachers has joined the Pakistan Trade Union Defense Campaign (PTUDC).

A press release issued by the secretariat of the Sindh Employees' Alliance in Hyderabad declared that Sindh Employees' Alliance unconditionally joined the PTUDC.

The text of the press release is as follows:

"On behalf of the more than 300,000 Teachers / Employees of Sindh province, we are thankful to all the office bearers of the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign, especially Comrade Manzoor Ahmed, President of the PTUDC for the unconditional and endless support of the Sindh Employees Alliance during the struggle against unconstitutional, undemocratic and unilateral ban on Teachers Associations / Employees associations under the administrative control of the Education & Literacy Department, Govt. of Sindh.

"We hereby unanimously announce the unconditional support of the Sindh Employees' for the PTUDC for common cause and struggle for the dignity of labourers / workers/ teachers/ employees and other classes of society in Pakistan."

Prof. Liaquat Aziz Solangi

Secretary,

Sindh Employees Alliance

The central body of the Sindh Employees' Alliance is:

              Name                    Organization/Association    Designation

1. Mr. Muhammad Rafique Jarwar           ASPTA         Chairman

2. Mr. Abdul Ghani Kumbhar                   GSTA           Sr. Vice Chairman

3. Mr. Hussain Bux Khamesani                MATA          Vice Chairman

4. Prof. Liaquat Aziz                                 SPLA            Secretary

5. Mr. Muhammad Hanif Balouch            SPSSA          Additional Secretary

6. Mr. Darya Khan Jamali                         ASLSA          Joint Secretary

7. Mr. Asadullah Durrani                          ACA              Press/Publicity Secretary

8. Mr. Muhammad Yaqoob Chandio        SPLA             Finance Secretary

9. Tariq Mansoor Qureshi                          SPLA            Office Secretary

The following is the text of an appeal by the Sindh Employees' Alliance to the workers of the world:

"Subject: Imposition of Unconstitutional "BAN" Against Teachers' Welfare Associations in Sindh, Province of Pakistan

"Dear Sir,

"With the greatest hopes and ideals, inherently embedded with the democratic nations and societies, we the teachers of Sindh province in quasi-democratic state of Pakistan are presenting our cause for moral support and advocacy at relevant international levels.

FACTS

1.      That, the welfare association in departments of the provinces and Divisions of Federal Government are registered with Social Welfare Department or appropriate agencies of the government, within the meaning of Article, 17(1) of the Constitution of Pakistan, which reads as under,

        " Freedom of Association: Every citizen shall have the right to form association or unions, subject to any reasonable restriction imposed by Law in the interest of sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan, public order or morality."

This right has also been enshrined in Article 16 (Freedom of Assembly) Article 19, (Freedom of Speech etc), Article 25 (Equality of citizens), and Article 26 (Non-Discrimination in respect of Access to Public Places).

2.  That the inefficient and reputedly corrupt Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh, headed by hand-picked minister for education, Dr. Hameeda Khuhro was feeling uneasy about these associations, as they were pin-pointing matters of public interest, such as the timely publication of error-free text books, rationalization of teaching staff, resolution of genuine problems of a routine nature and an end to the rampant corruption in the department.

3.      That the Government of Sindh abruptly imposed a "ban" on the activities of all associations in the department on July 21, 2006, without issuance of any prior cause or warning to them. It was indecent haste shown by the department. These associations were working for decades and in a few cases for more than 50 years without causing any harm to the system or society.

4.      That it is important to mention here that such associations are working in all federal units of Pakistan, Azad Kashmir and ministries/ divisions under the administrative control of Federal Government. Even in Sindh province, the associations are working without any hindrance except in the Education Department, under the Chief Minister/ Education Minister. The public sector universities, controlled by Sindh Governor are not facing such undemocratic restrictions.

5.      That on August 22, 2006, the peaceful rally of teachers, who were protesting against the undemocratic imposition of the ban, were brutally tortured, baton charged, tear gassed and inhumanly humiliated in Karachi between the Karachi Press Club and the Chief Minister's House. Dozens of male and female teachers sustained serious injuries, fainted on the open roads and were finally whisked away by the brutal police of Karachi.

6.      That now the Sindh Government is registering bogus criminal cases of a serious nature against the teachers and is using the excessive power of the state machinery against the peaceful, respectable community of teachers.

7.      That an unabated process of victimization has been set in motion. Scores of teachers have been terminated from service, suspended, sent on forced leave and have been issued show-cause notices under a draconian law, called Removal from Services (special powers) Ordinance 2000, promulgated after the military take over in October 1999, when the Parliament, the Provincial Assemblies and the Constitution were not functioning. A general sense of terror and insecurity has been created among the teachers of this province, who have been alienated for many years.

8.      That by committing such illegal acts, the Government of Sindh is harming the peaceful atmosphere of educational institutions and the cause of education itself. Being part of sophisticated so called democratic dispensation; they are imposing their dictatorial whims on the enlightened and liberal elements of civil society.

With this perspective we appeal to all associations / unions / organizations of teachers, lawyers, social workers, human rights workers, non-governmental organizations, organizations and civil societies at a global level to raise their powerful and effective voice against the violation of the basic rights of the teachers of Sindh through all available avenues and platforms. We believe that this struggle must not be confined to the restoration of the teachers' associations but must be seen as part of a long lasting struggle for the revival of democratic norms in our societies, the denial of which has the potential to unleash global unrest.

Yours very sincerely,

Prof. Laquat Aziz Solangi

Secretary, Sindh Employees' Alliance

&

Secretary, Sindh Professors' and Lecturers' Association

Camp Office: Govt. Sachal Arts & Commerce College, Hyderabad Sindh

Contact No. 092-22-2620187, 092-22-2636128