LAHORE: Former Interior minister and central leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, on Friday called for the restoration of trade unions and student unions in the country, warning that their suppression has weakened both the labour force and the younger generation.
Ahsan was addressing a seminar titled “Freedom and Rights”, organised in connection with the launch of the Peoples Rights Enforcement Movement (PREM) and Independence Day celebrations at the SAFMA Auditorium.
He said that internal colonisation has destroyed both student and labour unions, adding that these platforms are essential for the country’s progress and development. He maintained that any movement launched for their restoration must remain peaceful in nature. Reflecting on his own political journey, Ahsan shared both positive and negative experiences from the movement for the restoration of the judiciary, and called for greater space to be given to democratic forces in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary General of the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA), Imtiaz Alam, said that the nation must decide whether its system should be civilian-led or controlled by the establishment. He regretted that people in the country currently lack economic, fundamental and civil rights.
Noted lawyer Abid Saqi, also addressing the seminar, termed the prevailing situation a form of internal colonisation.
Meanwhile, noted lawyer and human rights activist Rabia Bajwa said that it is the need of the hour to initiate a debate among the younger generation regarding their rights.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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