SWABI, Dec 4: Activists of various worker federations and unions as well as civil society organisations will contest the upcoming local government elections from one platform in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country, said Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF) national coordinator Shaukat Ali Anjum on Wednesday.

He was speaking during a meeting of PWF workers from Mardan division and members of civil society organisations here.

The PWF coordinator said workers could win due rights only by winning the local government elections.

`From a weak position, workers will never be able to claim rights,` he said.

Mr Shaukat said if workers and civil society activists really wanted to strengthen their position, then they should forge unity and contest the upcoming local government elections from one platform.

`Political parties will try to create rift among us but we will have to counter such attempts by staying united,` he said.

The PWF coordinator said the workers` panel would be `Mazdoor Dost Panel` representing workers of various federations and unions.

`We have the only agenda, which is to focus on protection of the rights of workers exploited by industrialists, landlords and other influential people of our society,` he said.

Mr Shaukat said after the demarcation of constituencies, PWF had decided to form committees to organise workers in every district for success in the coming local government elections.

He said PWF would hold another meeting on local government elections in Charsadda on Dec 10.

QAYYUM`S DEATH ANNIVERSARY: Also in the day, former students of Islamia Collage Peshawar visited the mausoleum of the college`s founder, Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum, here in Topi on the occasion of his 76th death anniversary.

They pledged to maintain and preserve the estate and documents of Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum, who had founded the educational institution 100 years ago.

Former ambassador to Afghanistan Amir Usman Khan and Senior Alumni Association (SAA) of Islamia College Peshawar, Islamabad Chapter president Imtiaz Qazalbash led the alumni.

During a meeting, the alumni adopted a resolution to urge the Islamia College University to take immediate steps for the maintenance, preservation and beautification of the estate of Islamia College`s founder. They said Sahibzada Qayyum`s estate in Topi city was in a shambles.

The alumni also demanded cataloging and preservation of the documents and personal belongings of Sahibzada Qayyum and his other materials, which were in the possession of his heirs, as there was a possibility of their theft or damage to them.

They demanded restoration of the amount of money earlier given to the custodians of the estate to pay prayer leader of the mosque, where Sahibzada Qayyum used to pray and was later buried in one corner along with other relatives.

The alumni also demanded that the government declare Sahibzada Qayyum`s estate a national heritage site and build a memorial and museum there.