PMLN to launch much-awaited party manifesto today

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) is all set to launch its manifesto today (Saturday).

The key focus is on policies for economic revival, judicial reforms with the consultation of judiciary, constitutional protection for local bodies system, formation of a new ministry of youth affairs to address younger generation’s issues. Whereas, the party has chalked out special plans for climate change, information technology, media, reforms in bureaucracy and other important issues.

Talking to The News, Chairman of PMLN Manifesto Committee Senator Irfan Siddiqui said the reasons behind the delay in launching the party’s manifesto was that the party wanted to address important issues and include reforms with the consultation of stakeholders from all walks of life. “This is the reason the manifesto committee was divided into 35 sub-committees which consulted with the experts of every relevant field to include their input. The PMLN is the only party which also invited public opinion in order to address the masses’ issues in its manifesto. We received input from more than 7,000 Pakistanis to improve the manifesto”, commented Senator Irfan Siddiqui.

About the salient features of the party manifesto, Senator Siddiqui informed it will be a comprehensive document to present the party’s agenda and set of goals to Pakistani voters. Nawaz Sharif personally supervised the entire process and took weekly briefings from the committee on its progress, he said. “The PMLN wants to introduce judicial reforms and for this purpose we have proposed in our manifesto to amend certain laws with the consultation of the higher judiciary,” informed Senator Siddiqui.

In addition, the committee has also proposed establishing alternate platforms for dispensation of justice in order to reduce the pendency of cases from the courts, he said.

“The PMLN intends to bring reforms in the local bodies system. We are going to give constitutional protection to the local bodies system in the country. ,” commented Senator Irfan Siddiqui. “The PMLN recognises the importance of youth in the country and wants to engage with them. For this purpose a new ministry of youth affairs will be formed. The ministry will deal with the issues related to youth be it education, sports, employment etc,” revealed Senator Irfan Siddiqui.

“The party has also worked on bringing reforms in bureaucracy to improve the governance in the country. Apart from bureaucratic reforms, we have also proposed to increase the upper age limit for CSS candidates from 28 years to 30 years. This will also be beneficial for the youth,” he said.

Similarly, the party has also included a dedicated section to address the issues related to climate change, media, information technology, education and health sectors. Whereas foreign policy including Kashmir has been given special attention in the party manifesto, informed a party member who was also part of the committee.

Another committee member informed The News that PMLN has also focused and given priority to sports and information technology.