July 3^rd is commemorated in CMKP traditions as Martyrs’ Day. This day typically denotes the martyrdom of our beloved and honorable comrades in Hasht Nagar (Charsadda, Pakhtunkhua) in 1971, who fought valiantly against the landlords trying to forcefully appropriate land from the farmers using military might. However, according to CMKP traditions, Martyrs’ Day is not confined to simply reminiscence the martyrs of 1971 and the colossal sacrifices that they bequeathed to the Communist movement in Pakistan, but it is also expended to pay glaring tributes to the comrades who have lost their lives for the movement, for the cause of a communist revolution in Pakistan.

The Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party celebrated Martyrs’ Day in Hasht Nagar, the sole Communist bastion in Pakistan. The proceedings consisted of a procession that originated from Shalem Chowk (an intersection between four villages) and culminated at Mandani, where a public meeting ensued. The procession started at about four p.m., and attracted party cadres and supporters from all across the villages of Hasht Nagar, including Shakoor and Khanjeri. The procession consisted, apart from a number of pedestrians and cycle-riders, more than 120 trucks that were laden with party cadres and followers. The procession was marked with the red flags of party in every truck, red caps worn by a number of people, red batons, and red head bands. After traveling for more than three kilometers, the procession reached Mandani in about an hour: the duration of this short travel was elongated due to the sheer massive number of people in the procession.

The public meeting was organized opposite the graveyard in Mandani. By the time the meeting started, there were more than 3500 people gathered inside and outside the tent, with more people still trying to get a peek at the proceedings. Apart from the local leadership and support base of the CMKP in Pakhtunkhua, representatives from the CMKP Punjab were also present at the occasion. 

Speaking at the occasion, CMKP leaders paid glowing tributes to the movement and the martyrs of Hasht Nagar in particular, and Pakistan in general. Speeches were made against feudalism, capitalism, imperialism and the military dictatorship in Pakistan. The CMKP leadership vehemently denounced the abusive nature and retrogressive role in Pakistani politics of the Pakistan Army and its pawns. The CMKP also criticized the recent cosmetic change in the federal government in Pakistan, and opposed the installation of Shaukat Aziz as another step towards the completion of the neo-liberal agenda of global imperialist domination, and the further perpetration of capitalist ruthlessness into the lives of the proletariat and peasantry. The CMKP leadership emphasized the need for a socialist revolution to emancipate the proletarian and peasantry from the shackles of this manipulative system.

We Hail the Sacrifice of our Martyrs.

We salute those who fought for the proletariat and peasantry.

We vow to continue the glowing tradition of our martyrs.

We Stand United under the Surkh Parcham.

Long Live Revolution!!

Long Live Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party!!

Inquilaab Zindabad!!