A PAKISTANI pop star has lent his support to an anti-austerity political party.

Singer and musician Jawad Ahmad is backing the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC), which is standing five candidates in Bradford’s local elections.

He said: “I stand for equality and a classless society in Pakistan. The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition is fighting for the same thing and against racism in Britain. TUSC, as I do, stands for a fairer society based on social justice instead of the rule of the ‘one per cent’.”

Mr Ahmad’s song Sun Lo Kay Hum Mazdoor Hain demands rights for garment workers, following the death of more than 200 workers in a factory near Karachi in 2012.

TUSC candidate for Bowling and Barkerend, Ian Slattery, added: “We support the fight for better wages and safe conditions at work. Jawad’s song is dedicated to the workers of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and the world and TUSC joins Jawad in standing for workers’ solidarity.”