RAWALPINDI: Awami Workers Party (AWP) activists on Saturday vowed to raise awareness about the ideals and ideology of socialism among the people, saying it was the panacea for socioeconomic crises in Pakistan and around the world.

At AWP Rawalpindi-Islamabad`s third district congress, they said only a complete transformation of Pakistan`s establishmentcentric political system could guarantee basic economic and political freedoms for all.

More than 200 members and delegates attended the event, along with party supporters. It also included performances of revolutionary anthems by Ammar Rashid and Wasim Sakhi.

Newly-elected AWP District President Nasir Mahmood said he was delighted by the manner in which left wing politics was attracting young people, particularly since 65pc of the population consists of the youth.

`PTI`s claim to represent this youthfulpopulation has been exposed after only eight months in power and that sloganeering will not address the educational, employment and recreational needs of young people,` he said.

He added that the AWP has a comprehensive plan to revamp the educational curriculum and initiate a massive public works programme, which prove that it is the only party to have raised youth issues and presented solutions.

District General Secretary Syed Abdul Hameed Bukhari laid out plans for the next three areas, which would be centred on a three-fold expansion of party membership and cadre along with ideological strengthening through political schools and study circles.

`In order to spread socialist ideology, there is a need to engage the common man. These people and groups will listen only if we interact with them with empathy and concern but it is our job to make sure that we are able to intelligently explain to them our revolutionary ideas in a simpler way without being too simplistic,` he said.

He said it was on social media platforms that AWP`s ideas can gain more traction with time.

`We need to understand that there can be no socialism without women`s liberation andno women`s liberation without socialism, Marriya Malik, the newly-elected district women`s secretary, told the congress.

She said so-called progressive neoliberalism characterised by greater diversity would only solve the issues of the top 10pc of women, and do nothing for the rest apart from constricting them in the precarious service and care work dominated economy.

The theme of the event revolved around a political document written by Dr Aasim Sajjad Akhtar, AWP Punjab`s president, titled Socialism or Barbarism.

The title is derived f rom renowned German revolutionary Rosa Luxemburg`s article written over a century ago, to mark the centenary of her and Karl Leibnekt`s assassinations that paved the way for fascism`s rise in Europe.

In his address, Dr Akhtar said that `resistance is necessary but not sufhcient for embedding revolutionary socialism in society`.

He said that it was important to not only conf ront immediate challenges but to develop a vision for the future as well.

`There is also a need for all progressive circles in Pakistan to come together in the form of a minimum agenda since the choice at this juncture is very clear fascist barbarism or revolutionary socialism,` he said.