PMLN unveils manifesto: 10m jobs, peace with India

LAHORE/ RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) unveiled its manifesto with the catchy slogan of ‘Pakistan Ko Nawaz Do’, here on Saturday.

Party supremo Nawaz Sharif, addressing the press after the manifesto unveiling ceremony, promised his party would implement its charter after coming to power.

Nawaz Sharif said it has been prepared with great effort of the party leaders as well as the citizens. Addressing the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa people, the former premier said they must now prove that they were responsible citizens of Pakistan. “They should understand what kind of man they gave a chance to,” he said and reiterated that his focus this time around was on the politics of development, not revenge, as he had always “done politics on principles”.

Important points of the manifesto are as under:

Inflation to be reduced by 10pc by fiscal year 2025, and brought down to 4 to 6pc in next four years; a ‘message of peace’ to be sent to other countries, including India on the condition of reverting its August 2019 action on India-occupied Kashmir; over 10 million jobs to be offered in 5 years; provide interest-free loans to small farmers; use of modern technology to overcome crop damage; all government offices will be made environment-friendly; supremacy of parliament will be ensured; articles 62 and 63 will be restored to their original form; introduction of Panchayat System for alternative dispute resolution; judicial, legal and justice system will be reformed; timely and efficient judicial system will be implemented; limit adjudication time to one year, especially for cases affecting life of a common citizen; minor cases will be decided in two months; NAB will be abolished; strengthen existing anti-corruption institutions and agencies; comprehensive amendments in Civil Procedure Code, 1908 and Criminal Procedure Code, 1898 to standardise the procedural laws; effective, fair and timely prosecution; court proceedings will be telecast live; commercial courts will be established; courts of overseas Pakistanis will be made better and stronger; digital system will be established in judiciary; maintain a low CAD for next 5 years by keeping it in range of around 1.5 pc of GDP; to achieve exports of goods and services of more than $58 billion by the end of 2029; the impacts of climate change would be combated and a ‘zero-tolerance policy’ would towards terrorism would be adopted.

PMLN Manifesto Committee Chairman Senator Irfan Siddiqui, speaking at the ceremony, said the manifesto was not just a document but it was the hard work and vision of a party which has served the nation with dedication. He said 32 sub-committees were formed for the purpose and Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, Pervez Rasheed, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Owais Leghari, Kamran Michael, Bashir Memon, Barrister Amjad Malik were included in those committees.

PMLN Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal said there was a difference between social media myths and reality. “We will fulfil our claims or promises and the PMLN will not let its political journey go towards revenge and hatred”.

PMLN President Shehbaz Sharif told the ceremony participants the party had formed a special body, which would ensure effective implementation of the manifesto after the PMLN comes to power.

Separately, PMLN President Shehbaz Sharif, without naming PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, responded to him on his challenge to PMLN supremo Nawaz Sharif for live debate. “Yesterday, a political leader said that he wants to debate with Nawaz Sharif and I want to tell them that you should invite Nawaz Sharif to visit your province. There will be debate and comparison, and it will be known what services Nawaz Sharif has done,” he said while addressing the PMLN election rally at Liaquat Bagh on Saturday.

By Kosar Naqvi adds from Abbottabad: PMLN Chief Organiser and Senior Vice-President Maryam Nawaz Saturday asked the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to exercise their right to vote cautiously, saying the ballot would decide the future of the province. “The PMLN, if comes to power, will change the destiny of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Nawaz Sharif has a lot of plans, especially for youth,” he told a gathering here.

Maryam, who flew in directly from Lahore and landed at the cricket stadium, said the manifesto of the party had been launched. “Our manifesto is not a fake promise but is a true fact-sheet which will be implemented in letter and spirit,” she promised.