August 28, 2002	Wednesday	Jamadi-us-Saani 18,1423

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 27: Qaumi Jamhoori Party (QJP) on Tuesday launched its manifesto, vowing to establish an egalitarian society in the country and to continue fighting against feudals and aristocracy.

“In a crowd of parties of the aristocracy and the people of wealth, the founding of an organization of the middle class was a dream of late Omar Asghar Khan and his companions, and those who have struggled with me for the last many years, to bring about a change in the thinking of the people,” the QJP president, Air Marshal Asghar Khan (retired), said at a press conference held at the party office for launching of the manifesto.

The programme, in its preamble, outlined a vision of the party for the country in the 21st century, pledging to continue striving for establishment of Pakistan as a modern, progressive and welfare state, guided by Islamic values and culture, where tolerance, social justice and principles of genuine democracy would be practised, as envisioned by the father of the nation.

“It will strive to eliminate poverty and corruption in all its forms and ensure equal rights for all citizens, equitable distribution of power and resources, equality of opportunity and complete elimination of any form of discrimination on the basis of religion, sect, ethnicity, class or gender.”

Th QJP vowed to introduce land reforms to enhance agricultural productivity, distribution of state land among landless peasants and safeguarding their rights.

Talking about the party programme, Mr Khan said, the QJP would develop a comprehensive national economic strategy and contribute to strengthening of regional alliances to maximize benefits and minimize threats of globalization.

Privatization of state industrial units with the rights of employees to purchase shares and revival of sick industry are also included in the programme.

The QJP will extend unconditional right to form trade unions and associations, scrutinize laws infringing upon this right, bring labour legislation in accordance with the ILO conventions, and ensure provision of these rights to the informal sector and peasantry.

The party, according to the programme, would formulate an independent and non-interfering foreign policy, based on an agenda of international peace and regional cooperation, maintaining Pakistan’s principled stand on Kashmir and Palestine. The party supported a number of reforms introduced by the present government and said it would ensure their continuity. It would maintain 33 per cent reserved seats for women at all tiers of elected institutions and reserve seats for industrial and farm workers in assemblies. Joint electorate and right to double vote for minorities are the other two reforms approved by the QJP.