PTI chief Imran Khan unveils the party’s manifesto in Islamabad. PHOTO: INP
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf unveiled its 13-point manifesto on Tuesday, placing internal security on top of its agenda and pledging justice for all.
The manifesto also promises a sovereign foreign policy based on friendly ties with all states, including India and the US.
The party has identified six areas, which, according to it, are driving forces for terror and lawlessness across the country.
The real and perceived disenfranchisement of Balochistan and the Pakistani Taliban trying to enforce their interpretation of Shariah are included in that list, along with sectarian and ethnic violence.
Interestingly, the online version of the manifesto also lists “Kashmiri jihadi forces working from within Pakistan” as one such factor. However, the hard copy of the manifesto distributed by the PTI at a press briefing on Tuesday does not mention “Kashmiri jihadi forces” at all.
The PTI’s senior leader Dr Shireen Mazari categorically denied that this point was included in her party’s manifesto. “The PTI’s official manifesto did not carry this controversial point,” she clarified.
The manifesto also states that PTI would extricate Pakistan from the US-led war on terror and also make the National Counter-Terrorism Authority an effective authority with high-level representation from the armed forces as well as civilian and intelligence agencies.
“If PTI comes to power there will be no difference between rich and poor,” said Mazari, while reading out the manifesto at a local hotel in Islamabad.
Regarding the unrest in Karachi, the manifesto states, “Our motive is to make Karachi free from arms and ammunition.” It further outlined that the defence budget will be debated in an in-camera session of the Parliament.
Speaking on the occasion, PTI Chairman Imran Khan said if his party came to power, it would put an end to load shedding within two to three years. Pakistan Railways and Pakistan International Airlines would be converted into autonomous entities, he added. Imran also vowed to wipe out corruption within 90 days of coming into power.
“No other party has made any such policies, if you want, you can compare our manifesto to theirs,” he claimed.
Some salient features of the manifesto are:
1. To bring the nation out of the US-led war on terror
2. To create employment in rural areas and establish a Technical Certification Institute
3. To establish a whistle-blower programme to allow citizens to report unsavoury behaviour by individuals or entities
4. Announce an election schedule for local government within the first 100 days of formation of a government
5. Introduce regulations to ensure fees structure of private schools is equal to the quality of education they provide
6. Withdraw all indemnities, privileges and rebates or subsidies extended to elected representatives and government officials, including the president and prime minister.
7. All governance in cities and towns would be devolved to the municipality and the city government will raise independent revenue for city development.
8. Primary healthcare for the poor and elderly will be free
9. The policy of fighting wars for others and acting as a surrogate for any power will not pursued any further
10. Natural resources will be exploited for the development of the country
11. Pakistan’s strategic location will be used to strengthen the nation by becoming a lucrative trade and energy corridor
12. Agriculture reforms would also be put in place and 15% agriculture tax would be introduced on land exceeding 50 acres
13. Justice will be ensured for women, minorities, the poor, the dispossessed and disadvantaged
14. One system of education for all citizens would be ensured
Published in The Express Tribune, April 10th, 2013.
COMMENTS (38)
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The manifesto is all baloney..PTI has not explained how they are going to stimulate economy and solve the core issues of unemployment and terrorism. How? Unfolds the road map of action. Think over it?
The targets outlined in the PTI manifesto will be difficult to achieve, particularly the tax reforms and controlling corruption which has snowballed during the past 25 years.Good luck for IK.
@alphabravocharlie:
the term ” how ” is missing in 13 point agenda.
We all know HOW--you just need to wake up in the morning, have breakfast, go to your office on time and start doing what you said you will do. It is actually quitye simple and happens widely in the rest of the world. If you ever get out of the alphabet soup that you are in, you will find out that simple things in life such as honesty, passion, drive, postive thinking, etc. make the biggest diffference. This is lost on a generation brought up in corrupt families, living off of either sucking the blood of the state or cheating it out of taxes, with no other skills to show. Unless this "biradari" of thugs learns to mend its way, it will find Naya Pakistan a difficult place to live.
Just donated $1000 to Naya Pakistan Fund!!! Go Imran, kick the filth out!
the term " how " is missing in 13 point agenda.
@Something Clever: Stop quoting out of context. What she meant is no difference between the rich and poor in terms of getting justice.
you gave him chance in cricket he gave you worldcup.
you trusted him with money he gave you Shoukat khanum and Namal
We will trust him with Votes and Inshallah he will give us " Naya Pakistan".
My family and friends voting for PTI no matter who gets the ticket.
There are some serious issues with the Manifesto. Atleast for me. " Natural resources will be exploited for the development of the country". This is a very ordinary statement. Just look what is happening now. SUI gas is being exploited for the development of the country. But Balochistan has been tantalized since years! Again, resources of Sindh province are being shared on the name of One country and Sindh doesn't get its due share! So what are you going to do IK about that? Clearly your manifesto doesn't seem to be solving any problem. Country doesn't mean that you overlook the royalty of that province.
" Primary healthcare for the poor and elderly will be free". It is already free. I don't think PTI stands any different on this issue than the current govt. The problem is the quality of free healhcare. And PTI doesn't mention any such thing.
Any by the way, there is no mention of fighting religious extremism and banning the madrasa culture that is on an alarming rise in the country. I tell you all that PTI is a ring wing party that is going to create further extremism in all walks of life.
Great manifesto. Clearly sets PTI apart from others. For those who think it is ordinary please read the whole document before commenting. For those who think manifestos are never acted upon, dont judge PTI on the failures of others.
@Khawaja:
Dont forget Shah Mahmood and Sheikh Rasheed.
@shadi: I still stand by my claim that there is no TTP presence in Karachi, atleast not to the level some media sources insist it is.
A road map towards prosperity but everyone needs to play his role to convert this theory in practical. vote for PTI for a prosperous Pakistan.
ET, For Heaven's sake, do some research before accusing PTI or anyone of something. The document you are referring to was not the manifesto. It was a random research document written by " Karachi Think Tank ". What is wrong with you guys?
The Manifesto gives the Overall policy and not the details and SOPs.. we will wipe out corruption in 90 days, but how you will do it ?? Please explain the details too.
admit or not, Imran Khan will be biggest dictator of all times after winning the elections, his history tells that... but better IK win over PMLN & PPP
One of the best menifestos with specific solutions..................best of wishes for PTI.
@Khawaja: the nation has been fooling itself since 1947. Looks like you want the trend to continue. Shabash.
@faju: But MQM failed to deliver in their all terms. People will reject MQM IF free and fair elections took place.
Why do all these right-wing parties have socialist manifestos for this election?
My vote is now for PTI
PTI manifesto is doable, all it required is sincerity which IK has
Have they finally decided whether IK and Qureshi are going to contest on party ticket or as an independents? Or they would continue to keep people guessing about their party/tickets? Most political parties play these games after elections but PTI is forward looking and playing political games even before elections.
I wonder if PTI has reflected anything tangible about status of Gilgit-Baltistan in the manifesto!
@Ch. Allah Daad: In other news shahbaz shariff announced a metro bus to the moon.
"“If PTI comes to power there will be no difference between rich and poor,” said Mazari, while reading out the manifesto at a local hotel in Islamabad."
Well that's just nonsense. It doesn't matter what country you're in, that's just not happening.
PTI the last hope for this country !!
What a hypocritical manifesto. Non cooperation with all militant wings in Karachi, but can't wait to sit down and deal with ttp hiding in katti pahari and mango phir. What of the ssp militant wings in Punjab? No issue with them Khan sahab?
Just brilliant Kaptaan. I exhort everyone to vote for this man. Please Pakistan - give peace a chance, give Imran a chance.
People of Pakistan have high hope with PTI and Imran Khan.
I think that time has come that the nation should entrust confidence in PTI to bring it to the power so that corruption should be eliminated from the grass root level and at the same time PTI's should provide justice for all in a short period of time.
Many people have agreed to give vote to PTI and the remaining people will make up their minds to elect PTI from all the provinces by the time the date of election come nearer.
I am confident that this time PTI will leave every political party behind in obtaining the maximum number of seats from all the provinces to make the government.
yeah Kasoori, Sardar Asif Ali, Mian Azhar and Lootas will bring justice?
get a life, you cant fool this nation !
if Imran and his party stalwarts are able to pull this off, Imran will take Pakistan ahead of India. We in India will be left behind licking the wounds our corrupt politicians are inflicting day in and day out. We still wish best for Pakistan and that best is clearly Imran.
There will be a polar shift in the region. Pakistan will become an example of right governance for other nations in the region to emulate. Indian investors/capitalists, Americans, Russians, Chinese, Saudis all will begin investing in various trade and energy projects in Pakistan instead of in mosques and madrassas. Afghanistan would experience peace and stability for the 1st time in their lives. Balochis will take a deep breath.
Almost same as MQM's manifesto.
Excellent manifesto...now n league will copy it
Fantastic. All that's needed is for the Pakistani population to see sense and vote for you. No hope otherwise
COME ON ET, fr once do a bit of research before writing ! The online document on PTI's website u r referring to was not PTI's Manifesto...i read it too and thought the same thing but at the end of that document it was written "Compiled and Contributed by Karachi Think Tank" and ET in its previous story mistakenly linked it as PTI's manifesto.
Very ordinary manifesto. With this manifesto and Bat as an election symbol, only few people will be interested.
No more a PMLN Supporter
My vote is for you !! Ap Jis mrzi ko Ticket Dei dou...... vote PTI ko doon !!
Basis on which PTI agreed to operate with them involved a manifesto, where it states that PTI must proceed from different policies. One thing that we insisted on PTI that they should take an oath to reject huge poor and rich gap and discrimination in front of law. We have seen that we have one Law for rich and other for poor. Can really poor people are living in Pakistan no they are existing in Pakistan.Poor must have access to clean water and education. I am sure PTI will let them live not to exist.