December, 1964, Mohammad Sharif, president of Pakistan National Federation of Trade Unions, denounced the Government's deliberate failure to bring about a revision of its present labour policy despite the continued demands of the Pakistani trade union movement which were fully supported by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions. The PNFTU_underlined that because of the Government’s refusal to act large-scale strikes and industrial unrest had taken place, many trade union organisations had been destroyed and workers’ wages had been kept at a very low level. In its statement the PNFTU. denounced the Government’s policy which requires compulsory industrial adjudication since there is no right to strike. It declared that present laws do not provide any solution to the problems of the workers and merely makes endless civil litigation necessary. Thus the workers are subject to various repressive acts, victimisation and unfair labour practices. The PNFTU further stressed that contrary to promises made by the Government of West Pakistan regard-
ing contemplated amendments in various labour laws, these amendments — instead of simplifying and liberalising the provisions of the laws — envisage further curbing and restriction of the trade union movement and of the impracticable compulsory industrial adjudication system. Declaring that the trade unions strongly oppose any _ restrictive measures, the Pakistan National Federation of Trade Unions issued an appeal to all members of the Electoral Colleges and East and West Pakistan to “take into consideration the miserable plight of the workers and exercise their votes judiciously, ensuring social justice and fair play for the toiling workers”. In its appeal the PNFTU stressed that it stands for democracy, the right to strike, progressive labour legislation, freedom of thought and speech, freedom of association, freedom of the press, the achievement of a peaceful and dignified life for all and a strong national and international trade union movement. On the other hand, the PNFTU will continue to fight against any discrimination, economic exploitation, social injustice, illiteracy and against restrictions on education.