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Wednesday, April 10, 2013
PTI will turn Pakistan into an Islamic welfare stateStaff Report
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday unveiled its election manifesto which envisages making the country an Islamic welfare state and economic power contrary to a security state as well as pulling it out of the war against terror.
The party also announced that it would have zero tolerance for extremism and promised to debate the defence budget of in parliament after coming into power. The manifesto was unveiled by PTI Manifesto Committee Chairman Firdous Shamim in the presence of party’s Chairman Imran Khan and other stalwarts and officer bearers of the party.
The party will formulate an anti-drone policy, the manifesto promised and said that it would consider the option of talks with the militants rather than using force alone. It also promised to deweaponise the country, particularly Karachi, and make efforts to rid the city of militant outfits operating freely in the metropolis. Another key feature of the manifesto is banning of free plots to judges and generals.
The PTI manifesto promised the party would wipe out corruption within 90 days of coming into power. It claimed that it would end loadshedding within three years after coming into power by introducing energy emergency in the country. The party said it would strengthen OGRA and NEPRA and introduce strict laws against power and gas theft.
On nuclear weapons, the PTI announced that it would cut down the nuclear arsenal if the whole world does the same. It pledged to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor and introduce reforms in education and health sectors. Justice would be priority of the party, it said. On foreign policy, the manifesto said that good relations would be ensured with the neighbouring countries as well as other countries on the basis of equality. Bilateral relations with China will be further strengthened and the party would seek constructive relations with the US.
It announced that masses will be empowered through the local government system and elections of Local Bodies will be held within 90 days of coming into power. The PTI will reduce the number of ministries from 65 to 17 and governors and chief minister houses will be converted into libraries and educational institutions. The PTI promised to ensure justice and equal opportunities to all segments of society, making Pakistan an Islamic welfare state as envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal.
The manifesto reads all sorts of injustices and exploitations would be ended, with the introduction of a sovereign foreign policy based on friendly ties with all states on the basis of transparency, mutuality of interests and respect for sovereignty.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk