LAHORE, April 7: The Pakistan Muslim League-Q announced its seven-point election manifesto here on Sunday, featuring the party’s national priorities and pledges.

Flanked by party president Chaudhry Shujaat Husain and secretary-general Mushahid Husain Sayed, manifesto committee chairman S M Zafar presented the document with the slogan of "Building a Better Tomorrow".

Making promises with regard to seven ‘Es’ - extremism, education, energy, empowerment of women, eradication of poverty, employment and elimination of corruption -- the Q League also announced it would form a National Security Council (NSC) under the chair of the prime minister with heads of all constitutional institutions, including secret agencies, as its members.

The party ruled the country from 2002-2007 with an NSC headed by former president Gen (retired) Pervez Musharraf.

The manifesto carrying photograph of the Quaid-i-Azam and national flag, pledges to put in place an effective counter-terror strategy through a body based in the Prime Minister's Secretariat, a speedy justice action plan, set up women protection centres and form a youth employment strategy.

It also pledges to strengthen democratic values through a human rights agenda; promote an enterprise culture which develops skills, supports workers and creates jobs, take all out steps to increase agricultural products, achieve food self-sufficiency and promote high-value products for export.

The manifesto also promises free and universal primary education, equitable distribution of national wealth, besides committing itself to a political will to meet energy needs of the nation, blaming mismanagement and corruption for the energy crisis the country is faced with.

It also expresses resolve to combat corruption and punishing the looters and plunderers. The manifesto envisages a ‘Karachi Emergency Camp’ and places much needed focus on Pakistan's runaway population growth.

It promises a special parliamentary committee to address all legitimate interests and concerns of free media, besides a comprehensive insurance policy for journalists, photographers and media persons.

The document says that Religious Minorities Protection Bill will be introduced, a culture and arts national foundation will be set up and Lahore Rapid Mass Transit Scheme will be revived.

It also envisages a National Environment Climate Change and Water Resources Authority and an anti-corruption hotline in the Prime Minister's Secretariat.

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s unease
Updated 24 May, 2024

IMF’s unease

It is clear that the next phase of economic stabilisation will be very tough for most of the population.
Belated recognition
24 May, 2024

Belated recognition

WITH Wednesday’s announcement by three European states that they intend to recognise Palestine as a state later...
App for GBV survivors
24 May, 2024

App for GBV survivors

GENDER-based violence is caught between two worlds: one sees it as a crime, the other as ‘convention’. The ...
Energy inflation
Updated 23 May, 2024

Energy inflation

The widening gap between the haves and have-nots is already tearing apart Pakistan’s social fabric.
Culture of violence
23 May, 2024

Culture of violence

WHILE political differences are part of the democratic process, there can be no justification for such disagreements...
Flooding threats
23 May, 2024

Flooding threats

WITH temperatures in GB and KP forecasted to be four to six degrees higher than normal this week, the threat of...