Comparison of Manifestos
Manifesto of
any political party is regarded as a future road map and vision of the
political organization to be fulfilled after rising to power. It has been a
political culture in democratic world to set forth goals before elections and
let people know that what party plans to do after coming into power. Manifesto
plays an important role in making the mind of any voter along with too many
other factors. Unfortunately in Pakistan only the educated class would consider
the whole manifesto into their minds before casting their votes. The rural and
uneducated masses rather prefer brotherhood, relationships and other tangible
affiliations in terms of voting. As elections have completed and new government
is going to be formed, so it is worthwhile to look into the future plans of two
major political parties of Pakistan- Tehrik-e-Insaf and PML-N.
Pakistan
Tehrik-e-Insaf
Imran Khan while
spelling out his manifesto, vowed to hold local bodies elections within three
months for the devolution of power to grass root level. According to the
targets set by PTI, loadshedding shall be ended within three years and tax
targets shall be set and agriculture shall also be brought under tax network. Core
national interests like territorial integrity, national cohesion,
socio-economic development and resolution of Kasmir issue were also identified
in the manifesto.
On foreign policy
front the party shall emphasize the need for progressive engagement with India,
constructive relationship based on mutual respect with US, further expanding
strategic partnerships with China, positive engagement with Muslim world and
greater role for the United Nations.
According to the
manifesto the country is facing different types of terrorism including
sub-nationalists, religious extremists of two types- sectarian and war of
terror related militancy; mafia terrorism, particularly in Karachi where
political parties with armed groups as well as land mafias have spread terror. These
terrorists which have origins within Pakistan have external linkages as well.
Terrorism shall be dealt with triangular formula of engagement, isolation and
elimination.
Imran promised to
extricate the country from the US-led war on terror, which the party believed
was main cause of terrorism within the country.
PTI shall make
defense policy multi-dimensional to deal with crisis situation and threats at
multiple levels. Defense spending shall be discussed in parliament. Credibility
of the strategic nuclear deterrence would be sustained.
The party shall declare
five point emergencies that would cover the field of energy, anti-corruption
mechanism, public spending, revenue collection and human development.
Pakistan
Muslim League-N
PML-N has set
forth ambitious targets to rectify the ailing economy of the country. Party
shall raise the GDP growth from under two percent to six percent in the five
years tenure. Investment-GDP shall be raised from the current twelve percent to
twenty percent.
PML-N shall
give high priority to higher investment in the energy sector, attaining foreign
investment in agriculture and livestock sector, converting at least fifty
percent of foreign remittance which stand at US$ 13 billion a year currently
into foreign investment and large scale infrastructure. Untapped mineral
resources shall be explored to make the country self sufficient in oil and
gas.
Growth of
manufacturing Industry is very important for development. PML-N shall create
jobs through developing this sector. Close industries will be revived. All
exports will be tax free.
Other points
include creation of jobs, housing for low income families, macroeconomic
stability and tax reforms.
State owned
enterprises like PIA, railways and WAPDA shall be revived into profit
organizations.
Party shall
ensure affordable energy and shall bridge the shortfall of electricity which is
currently 6000 MW and shall ensure availability to the 40% population which
does not have access to it. In terms of gas the situation is even worse where
only fifth person has access to piped natural gas. Party shall ensure
availability of gas on urgent basis through developing new gas fields and
importing infrastructure.
Party shall
also work in the following fields
·
Agriculture
and food security
·
New
framework for social change
·
Democratic
governance
·
Science
and technology
·
The
employment challenge
·
Corruption
and accountability
·
Militancy
and terrorism
·
Speedy
justice
It
is hoped that the new day in the history of Pakistan is about to dawn. The
conventional politics is taking its last breath and new era of progress and
prosperity is about to start in a democratic culture. Today is a day of revival
and renaissance, and all of us should put our hands together for ”Naya Pakistan” (new Pakistan).
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