News Analysis |
Manifestos define a political party and demonstrate its seriousness to address the major issues of a country at policy level. The Pakistan People’s Party has formally become the first party that has presented its manifesto ahead of the general elections being held in Pakistan on July 25.
The PTI has earlier presented its plan for first 100 days if the party is elected to form a government. The PTI’s plan was criticized for not addressing external relations and policy of the party.
The document is titled as ‘BB ka wada nibhana hai Pakistan bachana hai‘ (We have to fulfil BB’s promise and save Pakistan), the manifesto pledges to curtail hunger, rebuild the country’s economy and foster harmony between different institutions of the state.
Asif Ali Zardari focused on his presidency and his only moto was to complete the tenure no matter what happens. This made the PPP a worst kind of government Pakistan ever had had.
Interestingly, the policy statement is guided by an extension of PPP’s original slogan: “Roti, kapra aur makaan; ilm, sehat, sab ko kaam” (Bread, clothing and shelter; education, health and jobs for everyone).
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in his speech pointed out ‘unstable’ and ‘exclusionary’ economy of the country and vowed to strengthen it if his party is elected to form a government on 25th July.
Read more: Dear PPP: ‘Pann chewing Karanchi’ or Karachi, problems remain the same
The central point of Bilwal’s speech was ‘to help people living below the poverty line’. He also talked about marginalized groups and assured them that if his party is elected he’ll make ‘an inclusive government’. “We must get the government on a track that is modelled on serving the people,” he said.
In its manifesto, the party has pledged:
- To free all Pakistani people from the fear of hunger, thirst and helplessness
- To open opportunities for all children and youth so that they may excel, become active citizens of Pakistan and confident members of the global community
- To rebuild and build an economy that works for all our people, now and into the future
- To deepen democracy by fostering harmony among our people, between our people and our state, and among the institutions of our state, and to make the government accountable and answerable to the people by strengthening the parliament and other institutional frameworks
- To secure rights and peace — for our state and for all our people
- To reclaim Pakistan’s rightful place in the world
As a matter of fact, PPP is facing huge challenges in the upcoming polls since the party is almost non-existent in Punjab, the largest province of the country. The electables have changed their loyalties and most of them have decided to join the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. Analysts now believe that the competition in Punjab is going to be between PTI and PML-N and some new groups. The PPP is nowhere, at least not in Punjab.
The PTI has earlier presented its plan for first 100 days if the party is elected to form a government. The PTI’s plan was criticized for not addressing external relations and policy of the party.
Moreover, PPP had remained in power from 2008 to 2013 and was able to successfully complete its constitutional tenure. But the PPP government is often termed as ‘Pakistan’s worst’. The economy was down, education remained a non-issue, health sector was ignored and, above all, energy crisis remained there.
Read more: PPP lambasts Nawaz for switching sides only to save himself
Asif Ali Zardari focused on his presidency and his only moto was to complete the tenure no matter what happens. This made the PPP a worst kind of government Pakistan ever had had. The upcoming general elections will now determine the future of the PPP and its leaders in Pakistan.