With less than two weeks to go until the February 8 general elections, PTI’s Barrister Gohar Khan on Sunday unveiled the party’s election manifesto which promised social and constitutional reforms.
The manifesto was announced as the party carried out election campaigns across the country, alleging that authorities were preventing party-backed candidates from doing so.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Gohar said PTI’s manifesto was titled ‘Shandaar Pakistan, Shandaar Mustaqbil aur Kharaab Maazi sey chutkara’. He said that the party leaders who compiled the document were unable to be present for the press conference over fears of being arrested.
Talking about the manifesto, the PTI leader promised to form a truth and reconciliation commission to address the injustices faced by the common man.
He said that the party had always emphasised that the rule of law should prevail in the country and every citizen should be treated equally.
“We cannot have two laws, one for the rich and one for the poor,” he added. “As a barrister, I would say that rule of law is fundamental for every country,” he said.
He said that another section of the manifesto focused on modelling the country after ‘Riyasat-i-Madina’ (State of Madina). He said that some criminal and civil laws in the country were either too lengthy or too complicated.
“The Code of Criminal Procedure will be reformed so that the people are protected,” he said, adding that the party did not want the poor to suffer at the hands of outdated laws.
He further said that the party would introduce constitutional reforms.
“One of the reforms would be that the prime minister will directly be selected by the people,” Barrister Gohar said. “We will decrease the National Assembly’s tenure to four years, bring the Senate tenure to five years and will directly elect 50 per cent of Senators,” he added.
Commenting on the economy, Gohar promised to reform the tax scheme and also increase the tax bracket. He further said that farmers would be provided a subsidy to help them stand on their feet.
He also talked about the implementation of solar energy projects on a large scale and said the party would also introduce a universal health card. He further said the party was committed to bringing educational reforms and introducing a singular education system throughout the country.
He said that the manifesto also had a section which provided a detailed account of the values that should be taught to the youth which could help them prosper.
“The values of the youth, their education and participation in politics. We have kept a lot of incentives for them,” Gohar said.
He went on to say that if his party came into power, it would also provide social security for citizens.
Gohar emphasised it was necessary to get rid of corruption and promised that the party would introduce an initiative that would keep a tougher eye on the issue.
Talking about foreign policy, the PTI leader said Pakistan needed to have a relationship based on equality with all countries.
“Our first principle is that no one can interfere with Pakistan’s internal affairs,” Gohar said. “We have adopted a policy regarding it and will move accordingly,” he said.
