In behalf of the Filipino proletariat and people, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) expresses its deepest condolences to the proletariat and working people of Afghanistan over the death of Comrade Zia, chair of the Communist (Maoist) Party of Afghanistan (CMPA). He was 68.

Comrade Zia leaves behind a legacy of communist leadership and anti-imperialism that will serve as an inspiration to the proletariat across the world to persevere in the path of revolutionary struggle.

For five decades, Comrade Zia rendered invaluable service to the Afghan people’s national democratic revolution and anti-imperialist struggles. For many years, he served as one of the key ideological and political stalwarts of the CMPA, and helped serve to shape and sharpen its line and leadership.

In his early youth, he actively participated in the revolutionary struggle against the obsolete monarchic regime in Afghanistan. He also played a key role in resisting the American-led imperialist invasion and occupation of Afghanistan in 2001.

Seeing the immediate need for revolutionary struggle, he organized the Unity Congress in 2004 which united three Maoist movements in the country and led to the founding of the CMPA. Comrade Zia was unanimously elected as its chairperson, and was again unanimously reelected for the same role by its second congress in 2014.

Comrade Zia has written hundreds of revolutionary and theoretical articles on various issues facing the CMPA and the international communist movement. Firmly upholding the principle of proletarian internationalism, he contributed to efforts to build international unity among Marxist-Leninist-Maoist parties and movements across the globe.

The death of Comrade Zia is a great loss to the Afghan people and the international communist movement. His lifelong service to the proletariat and people will serve as an inspiration to the people around the world as they march forward along the path of anti-imperialism, justice, democracy and socialism.