World March of Women NCB Pakistan Holds Protest Against IMF-Driven Policies
Lahore, October 17, 2024 — As part of the ongoing Global Week of Action for Debt Cancellation and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the World March of Women National Coordinating Body (NCB) in Pakistan organized a powerful protest demonstration in front of the Lahore Press Club. The protest sought to highlight the detrimental impacts of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-imposed economic measures on Pakistan’s sovereignty and its working-class citizens.
Chanting slogans against the predatory policies of international financial institutions, protestors expressed their outrage over the growing economic pressures caused by IMF-dictated reforms. They argued that Pakistan is being forced to compromise its economic independence to meet the IMF’s harsh and relentless demands.
“The working people and marginalized communities are bearing the brunt of these anti-people policies,” declared a spokesperson for the World March of Women NCB Pakistan. Protestors highlighted how the government’s increasing dependence on IMF loans has led to a surge in fuel, gas, and electricity prices, slashed social spending, and the withdrawal of critical subsidies that once supported low-income households.
One of the central demands of the demonstration was for the establishment of an independent and impartial parliamentary Debt Audit Commission. The protesters called on the government to launch a thorough investigation into the loans secured by Pakistan over the years, scrutinizing their purpose, terms, and conditions. “We need to critically examine the nature of these debts and hold accountable those responsible for signing away our country’s future,” the spokesperson added.
Protestors also condemned the increasing burden of indirect taxes on the poorest segments of society, noting that these regressive policies are exacerbating income inequality and deepening poverty levels across the nation.
The protest in Lahore is part of a global call to action for debt cancellation, with women’s groups and grassroots movements around the world demanding justice for those suffering under the weight of external debt and austerity measures. As the campaign continues, the World March of Women in Pakistan has vowed to keep up the pressure on the government to prioritize the well-being of its citizens over the demands of international creditors.
This demonstration reflects a growing movement to challenge unjust financial practices and demand economic sovereignty for developing nations like Pakistan.