By hardcore liberal people, I actually mean what the rest of the world calls Leftist activists. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, any and every ideology that’s about anything other than religion is associated with the bastardized version of what is called “Liberal” here.

“The ‘Left’ is dead in Pakistan”, is what a lot of us have been hearing for a long time. Well, ever since the Afghan war ended, the rhetoric has been that Marxist theories simply don’t apply to the real world. It has almost become a taboo ever since the cold war ended in several capitalist countries. In Pakistan, up until student politics were banned in the 1980’s, the left was pretty much thriving. Reading up on our political history did spark curiosity in regard to the current state of socialist circles if they even still exist that is.

So I ventured out on my own to do a little a research and boy was I surprised. Not only is the ‘Left’ alive and well, it has managed to bring in a whole new generation into its fold

In Karachi alone the “left” has been gaining some momentum, of late.

“I belonged to a student organisation which was revived for uniting students under the ideas of socialism,” says Fawad Hasan who has recently started to participate in many mainstream communist groups in Karachi.

“My Father had socialist leanings so I knew a bit about it since childhood,” said Minewera, another young left-leaning activist in Karachi. She joined the National Students Federation (NSF), one of the most influential and oldest socialist outfits in Pakistan, after being convinced by a friend.

The left-leaning National Students Federation has it roots back in the 1960’s when the Cold War was at its peak

According to Laila Raza, one of the active members of the organization, the organization was initially started out as a state-backed body. It began as a means to control and regulate the spread of leftist ideology on campuses. However, ironically it soon started to get infiltrated by the cadre of left-leaning students. Eventually, it became one of the epicenters of socialist ideology in Pakistan.

The organization has worked on tackling issues like fees, transport and education, on behalf of student bodies around the country, while at the same time holding regular study circles and other literary activities

“NSF’s activities are as varied as organizing study circles, in the light of Marxist theory, among university students, our own committee members over issues of political, social and economic significance. Discussions over current affairs is a part of it too” said Fatima Zaidi, a member of the Central Executive Committee of NSF, who also serves as a senior advisory member in the district committee.

The district meetings of NSF are said to take place every two weeks coupled while a meeting for a central committee is held every three weeks.

In more recent years these young comrades have actively conducted various campaigns for several social causes

“Some campaigns that we have been engaged in, include Restoration of Student Unions, Karachi Peace Campaign, Women Empowerment, formed human chains outside an Imambargah, a church and a temple during their times of worships to symbolize the protection the state owes its minorities and religious tolerance, campaign for safe working conditions for factory workers in the aftermath of the Baldia factory fire”, said Fatima.

Among other things, they have also worked on issues relating to feminism and women empowerment

“We’re working against sexual harassment on campuses, by holding study circles on feminism and Marxism”, said Laila.

“We believe that emancipation of women or gender equality is essential to the progress of society and as a result, we work hard for it”, she added. In order to highlight issues like domestic abuse and harassment, Laila and her comrades have even done graffiti in the streets of Karachi. Additionally, street theaters is another form of expression they have adopted to raise awareness.

Given the stigma attached to left-leaning ideologies in our society, these people have had to face a lot of criticism by friends and family alike

“One thing I always hear is that it is all useless to work against the oppression”, said Fawad.

“Get rich, live your life, that’s it. Why worry about others?” This is the refrain of such people”, he went on to add.  Individuals actively participating in left-leaning activities have also been labelled as agents working on a foreign agenda. Ironically at times, they are even described as American agents.

“As we, unfortunately, belong to an apolitical society, criticism has been in abundance; from family, friends as well as colleagues,” said Fatima. She went on to blame it on the lack of knowledge and understanding of Marxist ideas couples with the dominance of right-wing narrative in society.

Despite societal pressure and lack of presence of socialist thought in mainstream politics, these individuals remain hopeful

“While I do believe that Pakistan does not have a lot of socialist politics going on but a vacuum is surely forming. If not through systematic politics, people are still getting aware of the country’s state of affairs owing to the affects of its ruling elite’s flawed policies on their lives”, said Fatima.

Laila expressed similar sentiments noting that a revival of the left is on the horizon at least as far as student politics are concerned, “though with extremism on the rise it’s tough but ‘slow, steady and united effort will serve the left in the long run,” she said on an ending note.