Ammar Ali Jan: Will the left beat centre-rights in PP-160 Lahore?

Young leftist activist, educationalist, and Founder and President of the Huqooq-e-Khalq Party (HKP), Ammar Ali Jan, is contesting polls from PP-160 of the provincial assembly in a bid to breathe new life into what's left of Pakistan's Left-wing politics.

The PP-160 of Lahore includes Chungi Amarsaddu, Qainchi Amar Saddu, Kot Lakhpat, and other areas, with 166,507 registered voters, comprising 89,409 males and 77,098 females.

Ammar, described as youthful and energetic, faces seasoned politicians such as Malik Asad Ali of the PML-N and a PTI candidate. Discussing the constituency's history, Ammar shared with Geo Digital that in the 1970s and 80s, it was a stronghold of Leftist politics, centred around trade unions and major industries like the Ittefaq Foundries.

However, in the last polls, it was perceived as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) bastion, and in 2018, PTI's Main Mehmood-ur-Rasheed succeeded in this constituency.

Motivation for contesting

Ammar attributed his decision to his prolonged association with the Left, trade unions, and student unions. His motivation also stems from witnessing issues during his social and political work, and while serving as a teacher in the area.

People know that the competition is between an academic who is campaigning in the streets and tried and tested leaders who have stolen billions of rupees.

Notably, the lack of educational institutions for the past 40 years, coupled with a severe gas crisis and a lack of clean drinking water, compelled him to address the political orphanhood of the constituency.

There is a sense of abandonment among people of PP-160.”

When mainstream parties showed no interest in addressing these issues, Ammar, as a Leftist party member, decided to present their manifesto and plan directly to the people.

Activism or actual problem-solving?

Asked about resolving the mentioned issues, Ammar, an academic teaching democracy, believes that understanding and voicing the constituency's problems are crucial resolutions and a representative's duty. While acknowledging the secondary nature of actual issue resolution, he pledged to utilise government funds for the common people. 

He said that unlike other candidates he was an academic and teacher, not a businessman or land-grabber. "Previous representatives focused on personal projects, leaving the poor worker class helpless," he said.

"Furthermore, the duty of a representative involves raising concerns in parliament, and if issues persist my party wouldn't hesitate to take to the streets."

He added that political education of the populace, especially in Third World countries like Pakistan, was vital as citizens there often had to assert their rights.

Lacking edge of mainstream political legacy?

Asked about the challenge of a smaller leftist party against well-established ones, Ammar acknowledged a tougher pitch. Mainstream parties operate with police and entrenched power structures, instilling fear. 

However, he argued that "trying established parties hasn't yielded results for over four decades, incentivising more grassroots representatives to work for the people".

These parties have been tried and tested multiple times, and our narrative is way stronger than theirs.

Managing campaign finances

Regarding campaign finances, Ammar asserted that substantial funds were unnecessary. "Advertise, go door-to-door, and deliver the message – campaigning is more about emotional, physical, and mental labour," he said adding that "if the message reaches the people, the tide can turn in their favour".

Navigating decades-long anti-left propaganda

On facing anti-left propaganda since General Zia-ul-Haq's era, Ammar dismissed any hindrance, stating that such narratives had lost their weight. "Allegations of being anti-state or anti-religion have been levelled against prominent leaders and the parties that once labelled leftists as anti-state now face similar accusations," Ammar said.

Parties that used to label us (the leftists) anti-state in the past have themselves been labelled anti-state today. 

"People tried to hurl these allegations at me, which led to the rejection of my nomination papers earlier, but we emerged victorious in that battle," Ammar added.

"The crux of the issue lies not in our religious differences but in the widespread suffering caused by poverty, unemployment, and oligarchy. Those individuals who manipulate religion and patriotism for personal gain have now been exposed," he emphasised.

Can Ammar paint PP-160 red?

Ammar, exuding election-winning confidence, says the response has been overwhelming as they have effectively conveyed the party's message, which resonated with people because they share the same roots.

We have to work on our polling day strategies and no one can predict what will happen in the polls, but I can assure you that no leftist party has ever led such a thorough campaign in Lahore in the history of Pakistan.

Difference from the 2018 polls

Ammar noted a rise in electoral excitement, but excluding a major party like PTI has dampened the electoral environment. Despite this, he anticipates a big surprise on February 8th, with people turning out in great numbers, disturbing calculations.

The writer is a staffer at Geo.tv, he tweets X@ranashaharyar01