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1972 Karachi labour unrest

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In 1972, Pakistan's largest city, Karachi, witnessed major labour unrest in its industrial areas of S.I.T.E Industrial Area and Korangi-Landhi. Several protesting workers were killed or injured by police during this period. In a number of cases, workers briefly occupied their factories.

Background

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Ayub Khan’s Military Rule and Labor Repression (1958-1968)

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Under Ayub Khan's military rule, the industrial sector thrived while the working class suffered significantly. Labor activists were frequently arrested, tried in military courts, and trade unions were restricted.[1] This environment led to mounting frustration among workers and students, culminating in the 1968 movement, which ultimately ousted Ayub Khan and led to Yahya Khan’s succession.[2]

Yahya Khan’s Tenure and Labor Retrenchment (1969-1971)

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Yahya Khan’s military regime continued to repress labor movements, imposing strict controls to prevent strikes and lockouts. During his tenure, approximately 45,000 workers in Karachi were retrenched. This period saw increasing militancy among labor groups, setting the stage for further unrest under the new civilian government.[3]

Rise of the Pakistan Peoples Party and Labor Unrest (1971-1972)

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When the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) came to power under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on December 20, 1971, workers initially felt hopeful due to Bhutto's anti-industrialist and socialist agenda. Early 1972 saw a surge in labor activism, with notable incidents such as the occupation of Dawood Mills in Karachi, led by Aziz-ul-Hasan and Riaz Ahmed.[4] Between January and May, approximately 150 factories were encircled, with industrialists appealing to the President for intervention.[5] However, the response from the state was harsh, and several workers were killed, imprisoned, or allegedly assaulted during police interrogations.[1]

Karachi Labor Unrest and Violent Crackdowns (June 1972)

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The Karachi labor unrest began on June 6, 1972, with a protest at Feroz Sultan Mills in SITE Town.[4] Workers demanded wages and their share of the workers' participatory fund.[5] On June 7, the state responded by ordering police to fire on peaceful protestors, resulting in the deaths of three workers, including Shoaib Khan, a leading figure in the Muttahida Mazdoor Federation.[6] The next day, a procession formed for Khan’s funeral, which escalated into a mass protest.[7] Police opened fire again, killing ten workers and injuring dozens more.[7] This sparked a large-scale strike, closing over 900 industrial units and paralyzing Karachi’s industrial zones.[8] The strike ended on June 18 after a tribunal was established, but brutal repression followed, with around 1,200 workers arrested.[9]

The Landhi Incident and State Repression (October 1972)

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Labor unrest continued in Landhi Town, where striking workers occupied mills and refused to return to work. On October 18, police and military forces bulldozed factory walls to suppress the protests, resulting in the deaths of around 100 workers.[10] Dawn (newspaper) reported that the conflict began over wage demands in a government-run machine tool factory, spreading to nearby textile mills. Paramilitary forces ultimately quashed the protests by force.[11]

Trade unionist Karamat Ali later explained that these protests erupted because workers, inspired by Bhutto’s campaign promises, expected more comprehensive reforms than the labor policy announced in February 1972. When the policy fell short, workers mobilized in large numbers, prompting Bhutto to respond with force.[9]

Aftermath and Continued Repression (1973-1977)

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Over the following years, Bhutto's government continued to crack down on labor movements nationwide. Prominent labor leaders, such as Bawar Khan, Tufail Abbas, and Meraj Muhammad Khan, faced imprisonment, torture, and harassment.[10][12] In October 1974, Bhutto further restricted trade unions through a Presidential ordinance, earning praise from the industrial sector for its effectiveness in curbing labor activities. By 1975, labor movements had slowed as unions became entangled in numerous legal battles.[13]

In 1977, Bhutto's regime was overthrown by Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, marking an even darker period for labor rights as Zia intensified the repression of trade unions.[14]

Legacy

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To honor the workers killed during the 1972 protests, Benaras Chowk was renamed Shaheed Chowk (Martyr's Square) and later Bacha Khan Chowk.[8] A Shaheed Mazdoor Yadgari Committee was established to hold public meetings commemorating fallen workers, and a memorial monument with the words "Mazdoor Shaheed" was erected at the SITE graveyard.[15][16]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Lessons of history | ePaper | DAWN.COM". epaper.dawn.com. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
  2. ^ Bellingham, Justen. "The 1968-9 Pakistan Revolution: a students' and workers' popular uprising". marxistleftreview.org. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
  3. ^ "Labour: The Unkindest Cut". Newsline. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
  4. ^ a b Khan, Lal (22 May 2009). "Pakistan's Other Story: 6. Witness to Revolution – Veterans of the 1968-69 upheaval". www.marxist.com. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
  5. ^ a b Khan, Iqbal (1972). "From Pathan Colony to a Workers' State". Pakistan Forum. 2 (11): 4–8. doi:10.2307/2568979. JSTOR 2568979.
  6. ^ www.zaa.cc, Zaa Normandin. "Labour Movement in Pakistan". Alternatives International. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
  7. ^ a b "Fallen heroes of 1972 labour crusade honoured". Retrieved 2018-09-20.
  8. ^ a b "Strength of the street: Karachi 1972 - Kamran Asdar Ali". libcom.org. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
  9. ^ a b ""Dividing workers along party lines has a negative impact on the unions." Karamat Ali". Newsline. Retrieved 2018-09-20.
  10. ^ a b "Pakistan: Bloody Origins of the Z.A. Bhutto Regime". www.icl-fi.org. Retrieved 2018-09-20.
  11. ^ Khan, Lal (29 May 2009). "Pakistan's Other Story: 7. War and Reformism – Lessons of a Derailed Revolution". www.marxist.com. Retrieved 2018-09-20.
  12. ^ "The Legacy of Bhutto". Economic and Political Weekly. 13 (13): 574–578. 1978. JSTOR 4366485.
  13. ^ Khan, Lal (29 May 2009). "Pakistan's Other Story: 7. War and Reformism – Lessons of a Derailed Revolution". www.marxist.com. Retrieved 2018-09-20.
  14. ^ "Muzaffargarh police claim busting inter-provincial dacoits gang". Retrieved 2018-09-20.
  15. ^ "The courageous crusaders who refused to bow down". Retrieved 2018-09-20.
  16. ^ "Tributes paid to martyrs of 1972 labour movement in Karachi".
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Further reading

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