Background

World Social Forum, Pakistan has been able to show its commitments towards generating a "Common Global Solidarity". There were few issues of visa, administration and management of the venue; however, the most significant achievement is that this forum has been able to create a political space and political discourse for Pakistan, which has a symbolic political significance in the region.

Many people from Pakistan particularly, the peasant class significantly participated in WSF, which has been a landmark for future social movements and political discourses in Pakistan itself. In the meantime, the social forum has been able to change the face of Pakistan and has helped many people across the world to see "Real Pakistan and a People's Pakistan".

During the WSF, issues around WTO, and globalization were the dominant issues. Accordingly, issues about Dalits, farmers and their dignity came up significantly. Conflict and Women's right were also some of the major discussed issues. However, it was disappointing to note that there was not even a single session about disability. HIV & AIDS issue was also shadowed. There were just two sessions on HIV&AIDS. However, the participation from different political parties in WSF was important. To some extent this can be looked as an alternative initiative towards developing a common ground among the political parties, social movements, and NGOs.

In relation to South Asian politics, despite diplomatic and cricket initiatives, this time WSF became a ground of togetherness particularly for the common people in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. This 'people to people' link was one of the beauties of the forum.

How APACHA engaged?

Initially, HIV&AIDS issue was not given much priority and it was rather shadowed, which clearly reflects the fact of denial within the development debate and WSF itself. However, the entire APACHA team engaged themselves for their own politics to create visibility of HIV&AIDS issue in WSF.

With a lot of struggle, it was possible to finalize the most strategic venue for APACHA stall at the main entrance of the stadium; gradually it inspired everyone including the positive people in APACHA Pakistan which helped to get actively engaged into the process. Reframing of the banners, slogans and activities were then decided.

"Sensitizing participants" was one of the major intervention strategies in WSF. Therefore, to attract the attention of participants and to maintain the visibility, theater performance became one of the strong tools, and accordingly it took place twice a day on different issues of HIV&AIDS. As the events and the participants increased, it inspired public to actively participate in the public march and rally. It was made possible to mobilize nearly 300 people two times every day. Besides, number of international delegates, member of parliaments, UNAIDS, and other political leaders also visited the APACHA stall and expressed their solidarity. Many of them participated in the corner discussions as well.

A decision was also made to come up with a charter of demand and appeal for global solidarity. The demand was drafted and more than 5000 copies were printed and circulated widely.

The most significant achievement was that for the first time, in Karachi, eunuch and sex workers came up openly and publicly in the APACHA forum and actively raised their voices for justice and rights.

28th of March was one of the important days as it was the day of Positive People's Assembly. More than 350 people (including more than 100 positive people) participated in the Positive People's Assembly. International delegates from Bangladesh, Africa, Nepal, Pakistan, India Cambodia and Srilanka actively participated in the discussion. Member of parliaments were also the part of the process. During that time charter of demand was formally announced and endorsed. While reading the charter of demands all hands were raised to express solidarity, resistance and commitments. The testimonies of positive people made everyone in the forum emotional. After listening the testimonies from the positive people from Pakistan, Nepal, and Africa many participants said they had never understood the issue before in this way and now it helped them to know the issue better. Voices strongly emerged to acknowledge HIV&AIDS as the major development issue. Parliamentarians also expressed their solidarity and commitment to be the part of the change process.

Significantly, the forum was also proved as the bridge to unite Asian and African activists.

Member of Parliament, Miss Sassi Paleejo, Expressing her solidarity.

Solidarity Hands for Charter of Demands!

The positive testimonies drew the attention of the people gravely. These were the stories of love, hatred, domination, discrimination, life and death. More importantly, these were the testimonies of confidence, strength, challenges, resistance and struggle. Positive voices helped many people to actually realize life, love and courage. Participants from Africa said, if Asia was not going to be aware on time and take immediate actions, it would have to bear a huge cost. No cost was important than the human life. They suggested Asian governments, civil society, media, and parliamentarians that they should be serious about it. In the mean time voices from Asia were heard "Yes it?s true that our governments are not serious, our civil society is not serious and therefore, we are facing problems."

Media Coverage

• APACHA got a good space in 4 TV channels and radio stations.
  
  
• Our theater performance was broadcasted by TV stations.
  
  
• APACHA members were interviewed by different media.
  
  
• Tariq Ali, who inaugurated the WSF Karachi, said in his interview that one of the achievements of WSF was that the issue of HIV&AIDS was made visible to the people with different backgrounds.