By Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign (PTUDC)
On the occasion of International Workers’ Day, 1 May 2026, rallies, demonstrations, and public meetings were organized across Pakistan—including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Quetta, Sadiqabad, Karachi, Lahore, Bannu, Dadu, Mirpurkhas, Sehwan, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Mastung, Sukkur, Nawabshah, Khairpur Mirs, Thari Mirwah, Shahdadkot, Attock, Hasan Abdal, Taranda Saway Khan, and Tando Ghulam Ali—as well as across Pakistan held Jammu Kashmir, alongside international participation in London.
These activities, largely organized by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign (PTUDC), in collaboration with the Revolutionary Students Front (RSF), the Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation (JKNSF), the Peoples Revolutionary Front (PRF), and various trade unions and allied organizations, paid tribute to the martyrs of the Chicago and reaffirmed the ongoing struggle of the working class against exploitation, austerity, and imperialism. What follows is a brief report from different cities.
Islamabad
A broad-based event and joint declaration were organized by multiple bodies including the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists, PFUJ, and the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign, alongside political and women’s organizations. Speakers denounced inflation, forced evictions, privatization, and attacks on democratic rights, linking these to IMF-driven policies and elite domination.
Quetta
A joint May Day event was organized by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign along with PUWF, PWF, NUF, and the Communist Party of Pakistan, highlighting coordinated struggle against inflation, unemployment, and repression.
Sadiqabad
A large rally and public meeting were organized by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign, connecting workplace struggles with broader political demands against privatization and anti-worker policies.
Malakand
A rally and seminar were organized in Batkhela, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on the occasion of International Workers’ Day, to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Haymarket Affair. Participants emphasized the historic call of the international working class—“Workers of the world, unite!”—highlighting the necessity of collective struggle against exploitation and oppression.
Bannu
A May Day meeting was organized by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign, focusing on the historical significance of May Day and the necessity of class struggle and organization.
Rawalpindi
A workplace-based May Day event was organized by the Railway Inqalabi Union, with participation from PTUDC and the Revolutionary Students Front. The gathering emphasized organization within strategic industries and raised demands around wages, job security, and resistance to privatization.
Rawalpindi II
A May Day event was organized in Rawalpindi under the auspices of the Mazdoor Yakjehti Committee, to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Chicago. Comrades and activists of PTUDC, RSF and JKNSF along with other progressive organisations participated in the programme, reaffirming their commitment to workers’ unity and the ongoing struggle against exploitation and for fundamental rights.
Dadu
A rally organized by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign brought together workers from multiple unions, demonstrating cross-sector unity and commitment to collective struggle.
Hyderabad
A large rally was organized by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign along with APCA, OGDCL unions, and other labour organizations. Speakers exposed privatization, outsourcing, wage suppression, and worsening working conditions.
Mirpurkhas
A rally organized by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign, with participation from workers’ and political organizations, highlighted intensifying exploitation and reaffirmed commitment to struggle.
Sehwan
A torch-bearing rally was organized by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign and the Inqalabi Rickshaw Union Sehwan, marching through the city in tribute to the Chicago Martyrs and symbolizing the continuity of workers’ struggle.
Rahim Yar Khan
A major rally was organized by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign and the District Workers Action Committee (DWAC), with participation from RSF and other bodies. Speakers linked local economic issues to global imperialist dynamics and called for systemic change.
Multan
A May Day meeting was organized by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign, where trade unionists emphasized continued organization against worsening socio-economic conditions.
Jampur
A May Day rally and event were organized in Jampur under the auspices of the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign (PTUDC), to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Chicago. Workers and activists participated in the programme, reaffirming their commitment to continue the struggle for workers’ rights and to strengthen unity against exploitation.
Mastung
A May Day gathering was organized by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign along with regional labour federations, highlighting severe socio-economic challenges and the need for workers’ unity.
Karachi
A rally was organized by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign and Pakistan United Workers Federation Sindh, focusing on minimum wage implementation and expansion of social security.
Lahore
A rally organized by railway unions with participation from Tabaqati Jad-o-Jehd comrades emphasized demands around wages and opposition to privatization, while later activities included a joint press conference and cultural programmes at Pak Tea House.
Sukkur
A rally was organized by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign and Pakistan United Workers Federation Sindh, emphasizing workers’ unity and social security demands.
Nawabshah
A rally organized by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign and local labour alliances reaffirmed commitment to collective struggle.
Khairpur Mirs
A rally organized by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign along with allied labour organizations raised demands around inflation and employment.
Thari Mirwah
A rally organized by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign brought together workers, peasants, and youth against anti-worker policies.
Shahdadkot
A rally and public meeting organized by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign emphasized organized struggle against the ruling class.
Attock
A May Day rally was organized by the All Pakistan PWD Workers Union, reaffirming solidarity with the Chicago Martyrs and workers’ unity.
Hasan Abdal
A public meeting was organized by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign along with Pakistan Peoples Party Shaheed Bhutto, stressing grassroots organization against exploitation.
Taranda Saway Khan
A rally organized by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign reflected growing class consciousness, with strong anti-capitalist messaging.
Tando Ghulam Ali
A rally and public gathering organized by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign emphasized continued struggle for workers’ rights.
London
An international rally organized by trade unions and labour organizations saw participation from activists of the Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation and the Peoples Revolutionary Front, reinforcing global solidarity.
Jammu Kashmir — May Day 2026 Activity Reports
Across Jammu Kashmir, May Day activities were organized by the Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation, Peoples Revolutionary Front, and Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign, reflecting strong unity between workers and students.
Kotli
A rally and public gathering organized by JKNSF and labour organizations emphasized labour rights, unionization, and resistance to privatization.
Shaukatabad
Scenes from a programme organized in Shaukatabad by the Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation on the occasion of International Workers’ Day, reflecting participation of students and youth in solidarity with the working class.
Bagh
A joint programme organized by JKNSF and PTUDC united workers and students in solidarity with the international working class.
Hajira
A protest rally organized by JKNSF highlighted the ongoing struggle against exploitation and reaffirmed commitment to workers’ and students’ rights.
Muzaffarabad
A joint rally organized by JKNSF, PRF, and PTUDC brought together workers and students in solidarity with global struggles.
Rawalakot
A rally organized by JKNSF, along with participation in workers’ gatherings, strengthened unity between students and labour.
Palandri
A programme organized by workers’ organizations emphasized continued struggle for labour rights and improved conditions.
Holar (Kotli)
A joint event organized by JKNSF, PTUDC, and PRF reinforced unity and commitment to collective struggle.
Across Pakistan, Jammu Kashmir, and internationally, International Workers’ Day 2026 reflected a clear convergence of demands: opposition to inflation, privatization, unemployment, and imperialist wars, alongside the defense of democratic and trade union rights, and the struggle for socialist revolution. These mobilizations indicate not only resistance to immediate hardships, but also a growing recognition of the systemic crisis of capitalism and the necessity of a united class struggle.
