F.P. Report
LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Quaid and former three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday launched the long-awaited party, laying focus on “changing lives” by lifting the country’s economic growth, launching efforts to bring down the staggering inflation and alleviating the rampant economy.
The PML-N manifesto envisages six percent economic growth, generating employment, focus on women empowerment and improved relations with neighbouring countries.
The ceremony to unveil the party manifesto, unveiled just two weeks before the general elections, was held at PML-N headquarters located at Model Town in Lahore and was addressed by top party leaders including PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, president Shehbaz Sharif, Senator Irfan Siddiqui and Ahsan Iqbal.
In its manifesto, titled Pakistan ko Nawaz Dau, the party promised to give jobs to 10 million people and bring down the inflation rate by 10 per cent in the year 2025.
The party further said that if came to power it would restore articles 62 and 63 of the constitution to their original form.
Besides that, the PML-N gave a hint that during its government, there would be a live coverage of court proceedings.
Similarly, setting up commercial courts and improving the condition of the courts for overseas Pakistanis was also promised in the manifesto.
At the same time, however, the party showed its commitment to the supremacy of parliament.
The party planned to reserve special seats for overseas Pakistanis in assemblies. “We will develop a modern city for those living abroad after coming to power,” he added.
Furthermore, the party also hinted at introducing a digital system in judiciary.
Likewise, it said that after coming to power it would give interest-free loans to small farmers besides announcing subsidies for them and the people belonging to other low-income groups.
The PML-N said that it had made up its mind that it was time to get rid of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
The party also promised reduction in electricity bills by 30 per cent; increase in power production by 15,000 megawatts, and generation of 10,000 megawatts of electricity through solar energy.
The party said that its government would slash poverty rate by 25 per cent, increase the country’s exports to $60 billion besides introducing health, labour, education and sport cards.
Construction of a Sports University, promotion of sports at ground level, and health insurance programme for the players are also among party’s priorities.
The PML-N will also set up National Tourism Authority, take steps to make Pakistan self-sufficient in the livestock sector.
The party’s government would also build Katchi Canal in Balochistan.
The party promised that during its government, the economic growth rate would be over six percent.
The PML-N said it planned to bring the fiscal deficit under 3.5 per cent.
It promised to increase people’s salaries keeping in view the inflation rate.
The PML-N pledged that it would transform the city of Gwadar into energy hub.
It also promised to set up a Green Energy Fund.
It was stated in the manifesto that the party’s government would convert the projects powered by gas into those powered by LNG.
Furthermore, the PML-N announced its plan to restructure gas companies if came to power.
For people’s entertainment, the party said it would build cinemas at cheaper rates.
The party also announced its plan to create awareness in people about population planning. In this connection, a subject will also be included in the syllabus.
In order to increase the literacy rate, the PML-N government would build evening schools across the country. More Danish schools will be built and subsidy and scholarships will also be offered in the education sector.
In order to reduce smog and prevent environmental pollution, the party said its government would ban the use of plastic shopping bags. The PML-N would ensure a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.
Addressing the huge gathering of party leaders and workers, Nawas Sharif said the PML-N’s manifesto has been prepared with “great efforts” and would be “fully implemented” if the party is voted to power.
The PML-N supreme declared that the national economy was the most important aspect of the party manifesto. He termed it a “strange coincidence” that despite him being ousted as the prime minister in 2017 and “political vendettas” against the PML-N, his party members were once again “preparing to contest elections and presenting their manifesto”.
Nawaz Sharif said he neither intended to “express his grievances” nor was “in a mood to complain today”. “I hope the people will read the manifesto,” he added.
Recollecting the PML-N’s previous tenures, Nawaz Sharif said there was “no inflation” back then, the detailed manifesto was shared by the party on its official account on social media platform X. “If voted to power, the party vowed to provide the public with “cheap and increased electricity” as well as “speedy development”. Appeasing the youth, the party also promised to undertake several projects and schemes aimed at improving their skills and aiding literacy.
Nawaz recalled that Shehbaz Sharif was ready to step down soon after forming the government in 2022, but decided against the planned move after the PTI chairman gave an ultimatum.
The move came, Nawaz said, he (Shehbaz) was against forming the government and had initially advised for dissolving the assemblies for elections, despite the default threat. Nawaz said the PML-N paid the price by sacrificing the political capital for standing up for Pakistan and vowed that the party would strive hard to deliver the promises made in the manifesto.
He said presenting party manifesto and contesting elections after the removal of his government by the five judges and other conspirators as well as spending time in prisons was “a strange feeling”.
He wouldn’t have resorted to the actions for which the previous PTI government opted, Nawaz said, citing the Charter of Democracy signed with late PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto. The PML-N had serious differences with the PPP during its 2008-13 tenure, but he rejected the advice of leading the long march towards Islamabad instead of ending it in Gujranwala as the struggle was meant for only the judges restoration, he made it clear.
Nawaz said the advice for throwing the PPP government through protest campaign was presented again and again; however, the PML-N stood by democratic principles and Charter of Democracy.
He also mentioned his visit to Banigala for developing political understanding, Nawaz mentioned as he listed the PTI response after that, saying some parties don’t have any manifesto as creating chaos is their sole goal.
Nawaz highlighted that Pakistan was facing tough challenges with the economy being the biggest and recalled the low food prices during his last stint in government.
Shehbaz highlights manifesto features
PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif said the manifesto had three points: focus on human resources development for the youth, job creation and small and medium enterprises; boosting the agriculture sector through various incentives; and uniting the nation yet again after the years of poisoning their minds. Nawaz had never promised in 2013 to end 20-hour of daily power outages and only vowed to work on the subject during his five-year term, but he ensured ending loadshedding within three years despite the sit-ins and other challenges.
Everyone presents manifesto, but only a few implement them, said Shehbaz, questioning what the PPP had done during its 15-year rule in Sindh.
Shehbaz made it crystal clear that Nawaz Sharif’s election manifesto was about “uniting people”. He said a special body will be established to ensure the effective implementation of the manifesto.
Earlier, addressing the event, PML-N Manifesto Committee Chairman Senator Irfan Siddiqui said there is nothing in the manifesto that the PML-N will not be able to accomplish when it comes to power.
Irfan Siddiqui maintained that the PML-N supremo had directed the committee not to include anything in the manifesto that the party cannot fullfil in the future. “Nawaz Sharif had forbidden the panel from showing false dreams in the manifesto,” he said, adding he was fully guided by the leadership during the preparation.
He said the delay in announcement of manifesto came as the party was focusing on reforms during the preparations. “At least 32 committees were formed to draft the manifesto, which also includes the party’s past performance,” he added.
“Nawaz Sharif had barred us from showing false dreams in the manifesto,” Siddiqui said.
PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal said the manifesto was a foundation for making Pakistan one of the strongest economies by 2047 – exactly 100 years after independence.
