PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif presented his party’s long-awaited election manifesto on Saturday, as the approaching February 8 polls draw near, less than two weeks away.
Addressing a party gathering in Lahore, he emphasized that the PML-N’s manifesto had been crafted with “significant dedication” and assured that it would be “completely enacted” if the party secures votes for governance.
Nawaz described the nation’s economy as the pivotal focus of the manifesto.
He noted a “curious coincidence” in the fact that despite his removal from the prime minister’s office in 2017 and the challenges faced by the PML-N due to “political vendettas,” party members were once again gearing up for elections and unveiling their manifesto.
The former premier clarified that he had no inclination to “air his grievances” nor was he “in a disposition to complain today.”
Nawaz expressed his hope that the public would peruse the manifesto, which had already been discussed by PML-N’s Shehbaz Sharif, along with party leaders Ahsan Iqbal and Irfan Siddiqui, prior to his address.
Making an indirect reference to the former premier, Imran Khan, he remarked, “If I had been in charge in the previous government instead of the individual you witnessed, I would not have taken the same actions.”
While reflecting on PML-N’s past administrations, the former premier recalled a time of “minimal inflation.” The comprehensive manifesto was shared by the party on its official account on the social media platform X.
If granted power through votes, the party pledged to offer the public “affordable and increased electricity” as well as “rapid development.” Its commitments include a 20 to 30 percent decrease in electricity bills, a 15,000 megawatt boost in electricity production, and a generation of 10,000MW of solar energy.
In an effort to engage the younger demographic, the party also committed to ensuring the inclusion of youth in national politics through parliamentary, provincial, and local government representation.
PML-N additionally aspires to reinstate student unions, broaden the National Youth Scheme, earmark funds for IT start-ups, and promote youth entrepreneurship.
The manifesto outlines plans to establish “Pakistan’s inaugural sports university” and create “250 stadiums and academies,” coupled with initiatives for youth skills development and the introduction of a Scholarship Endowment Fund.
In terms of foreign policy, PML-N pledges to convey a “message of peace” to other nations, including India, contingent upon the reversal of its actions in August 2019 concerning India-occupied Kashmir.
The manifesto also vows to combat the impacts of climate change and a “zero-tolerance policy” towards terrorism.
Other agendas on the PML-N’s table include a “secured water future” and “add life to the economy through exports”.
The party manifesto also aims to cater to overseas Pakistanis, stating that they will “rebuild Pakistan together”. Other points include “PML-N’s promise to the public: share in development” and a “plan to bring Constitutional, legal, judicial and administrative reforms”.
The party further intends to introduce a family planning program and bring education reforms, as well as “digital development”. It also aims to “merge various transport means”, bring sports reforms and “rebuild” tourism in Pakistan.
The PML-N’s manifesto includes combating violence against minorities, modernising agriculture and making women independent. The party also vows to introduce a new labour policy to ensure their rights.
The unveiling of the manifesto comes in response to criticism from the party’s political adversaries, particularly PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto, who repeatedly censured PML-N for not revealing its agenda despite the impending general elections, which are less than two weeks away.
Bilawal Bhutto remarked, “What kind of democracy and election is this where one party has a manifesto, and another — which is nominating its candidate for the prime minister for the fourth time — says their [old] manifesto is [still] valid. They can’t even tell you that if they somehow get the chance again [to rule] for the fourth time, what they’ll do.”
Addressing a gathering in Abbottabad, PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz underscored that the party’s manifesto was meticulously designed to address the challenges faced by the masses. She affirmed the party’s commitment to implementing the outlined agenda if granted power through the electoral process.
Maryam emphasized Nawaz’s track record of fulfilling promises to the nation and highlighted his dedication to addressing the needs of the youth. She pledged a transformative impact on the fate of every young individual if the PML-N were entrusted with power. Maryam further shared that Nawaz had formulated a comprehensive plan to provide electricity to remote areas and create employment opportunities for the youth.
