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

X post facto
Updated 19 Apr, 2024

X post facto

Our decision-makers should realise the harm they are causing.
Insufficient inquiry
19 Apr, 2024

Insufficient inquiry

UNLESS the state is honest about the mistakes its functionaries have made, we will be doomed to repeat our follies....
Melting glaciers
19 Apr, 2024

Melting glaciers

AFTER several rain-related deaths in KP in recent days, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority has sprung into...
IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...