Top Pakistani Scholar Urges Focus on Local Labor Issues Amid Gaza Solidarity on Labor Day

Marking International Labor Day on Thursday, Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi paid homage to the resilience and vital contributions of Pakistani laborers, farmers, and hardworking individuals to the nation’s progress. He emphasized that the country’s economic growth and prosperity are intrinsically linked to their tireless efforts.

In his statement commemorating “Labor Day 1886,” Allama Naqvi acknowledged the historical significance of the day, recalling the Chicago laborers who fought for their rights. However, he also drew a stark contrast with the dire situation faced by laborers in Gaza. He lamented the oppression they endure in their own homeland, where they are rendered helpless and subjected to loss of life, displacement, and destitution. Allama Naqvi expressed deep regret over the international community’s inability to halt this “one-sided oppression” and the collective inaction in the face of such suffering. He proposed that a day should be dedicated to the laborers of Gaza, mirroring the commemoration of May 1st.

Turning his attention to the domestic challenges, Allama Naqvi highlighted the precarious circumstances facing the average Pakistani worker as Labor Day arrives. He pointed to the anxieties of farmers struggling for fair prices for their produce and the widespread lament among laborers grappling with escalating inflation, the declining value of the rupee, and limited job opportunities. He suggested that the current economic climate resonates with the sentiments expressed in the poetry of Allama Iqbal.

Reiterating his appreciation for the Pakistani workforce, Allama Naqvi stressed their indispensable role in national development. He concluded by urging the government to prioritize the protection of the honor and dignity of laborers in Pakistan.