PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif talks to the media as he presents his party manifesto during a press conference in Lahore on Thursday. PHOTO: AFP
Main opposition party the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has launched its manifesto, titled “Strong economy strong Pakistan,” ahead of the upcoming general elections.
PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif presented the comprehensive manifesto himself at a launching ceremony held in Lahore on Thursday.
According to the manifesto, the PML-N would establish a business and economic council under the prime minister of the country. The party promises to increase the country’s exports to $100 billion and the tax to GDP ratio from 9% to 15% by 2018. Furthermore, the manifesto vowed to double the annual average rate of GDP growth from 3% in the last five years to 6%; to accelerate industrial growth from 3% to 8% per annum; bring down the budget deficit to 4%; raise the investment to GDP ratio from 12% to 20% and improve the standard of PIA and Pakistan Railways.
Regarding the energy sector, Nawaz said that party would generate 10,000 MW additional power. He said his government would construct new coal-fired power plants with 5,000 MW capacity and mobilise investment of $20 billion for them. The party chief said an effective and competent team would execute the energy plan of the party.
For education, the PML-N would increase expenditure on the sector from 2% to 4% of GDP by 2018 and raise the literacy level to 80% from 54%. Danish schools would be spread across the country, he added.
The PML-N would increase expenditure on health from 1% of GDP to 2%; provide medical insurance cards to every family; ensure 100% vaccination of children and 50% reduction in maternal and infant mortality; set up 1,000 mobile health units and establish a district health authority in each district.
The manifesto also promises that once the PML-N comes into power, one million youth would be provided jobs. The PML-N will also hold local government elections within six months of taking the country’s helm, it adds.
Furthermore, Nawaz said the PML-N would form a commission to carve out three new provinces – Hazara, South Punjab and Bahawalpur.
The party also states it has a zero tolerance policy for corruption.
The manifesto promises that the PML-N will form and adopt effective policies towards improving the law and order situation of the country, and will launch an operation in Karachi against criminals.
The party chief said that despite hurdles created by the federal government, the Punjab government has carried out record development works in the past five years.
He claimed that an opposition camp was set up in the Governor’s House against the Punjab government and added that governors have been continuously issuing statements against the provincial government.
Nawaz said that even though an unjust attitude was adopted against the people of the province with regards to power and gas supply, the Punjab government was successful in providing relief to the people by completing development projects.
Replying to questions, Nawaz said his party believes drones are against the country’s sovereignty; he favours the Iran Pakistan gas pipeline project and the army chief would be appointed on a merit/seniority basis.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2013.
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Only Imran Khan can collect taxes from the rich people. No taxes and no progress. PMLN and PPP are tax evaders.
Even with respect to economy and welfare oriented measures, the manifesto seems overambitious, sounding more like a wish list rather than a concrete programme reflecting the economic realities. On the face of it, raising the minimum wage to Rs15,000 per month, investing US$ 20 billion in the energy sector to generate 10,000 MW of electricity to end power shortage within three years, adopting zero tolerance policy against corruption, creating 1,000 clusters of 500 houses each for low income groups, creation of three million jobs, taking the GDP growth to six percent, reducing budget deficit to four percent, eliminating circular debt and making the defence impregnable by introduction of ultra modern and scientific techniques to maintain balance of power in the region, are quite laudable. But the dilemma is that implementing such a programme would require the availability of astronomical amounts of money. The manifesto fails to project the amount of money that will be required to implement the ambitious programme on the basis of proper and specific costing for each venture and the avenues that will be tapped to generate that kind of money.
I have always disagreed with PML N's political agenda, their discriminative policies, but I still BELIEVE that they are relatively better for ECONOMY
Even with respect to economy and welfare oriented measures, the manifesto seems overambitious, sounding more like a wish list rather than a concrete programme reflecting the economic realities. On the face of it, raising the minimum wage to Rs15,000 per month, investing US$ 20 billion in the energy sector to generate 10,000 MW of electricity to end power shortage within three years, adopting zero tolerance policy against corruption, creating 1,000 clusters of 500 houses each for low income groups, creation of three million jobs, taking the GDP growth to six percent, reducing budget deficit to four percent, eliminating circular debt and making the defence impregnable by introduction of ultra modern and scientific techniques to maintain balance of power in the region, are quite laudable. But the dilemma is that implementing such a programme would require the availability of astronomical amounts of money. The manifesto fails to project the amount of money that will be required to implement the ambitious programme on the basis of proper and specific costing for each venture and the avenues that will be tapped to generate that kind of money.
Miaan Saheb, where will the MONEY come from????????
It doesn't matter if its realistic or not, but u have to tell "HOW", "HOW". how will u do it. And PML-N is blank on this. As there every move is motivated by power lust not public service.
A bunch of lie, we did not forget your past when foreign currency accounts seized and many students, businessmen, suffered. You can not make us fool "action speaks louder than words".
Manifesto does not declare as to how PML (N) is going to achieve it. Empty promises Only Hawa hawai.
They will implement their manifesto; Keeping in view better performance of PML-N in Punjab despite negative tactics used by federal govt in fulfilling energy/other requirements of the province and public surveys acknowledge this facts.
Its a positive step to present a manifesto and a vision. So lets see, PML-N was in power in Punjab for the past 5 years, and overall, for 25 years, That is 5 times the length of time Nawaz is promising for exports touching $100Billion. Considering Punjab is Pakistan's richest province, has its exports touched 1/5th, let alone 1.4th (considering 4 provinces) of the $100Billion in the last 5 years? . PML-N's integrity can be judged by its performance. Imran Khan had no money, no ministerial position, no government funds at his disposal, yet he single handedly made NAMAL, SKMH and PTI. You can gauge a person by evaluating his/her performance when he/she was given any level of power. Imran Khan was made captain of his team and he led them to the world cup. He's party chairman and he's turned his party from nothing into the winning contender. WE need a leader like him, who can take charge of a nation of cornered tigers and turn them into an economic success. . Thank you PML-N, but we don't need empty promises. Your performance in the last 5 years speaks more volumes than a glossy brochure.
Question is not WHAT, but HOW!
Can you also back your future claims with any data from the past (last 5 years in Punjab)?
'will launch an operation in Karachi against criminals' How about an operation against Taliban, LeJ and other banned terrorist organizations? No mention of religious extremism (arguably the biggest issue that Pakistan is facing today) in the manifesto!!!
Mian Sahib, Where is the policy to counter terrorism and banned outfits like LeJ? These two are going to be the biggest challenges for any government next and the policy briefing didn't mention it all as if it is not their problem. It just reflects how serious they are on the issues of utmost importance.
People are frustrated and don't believe in realistic menifesto like NS is giving.They want all the golden eggs for once and IK has promised to slaughter the hen.