What the party manifestos promise regarding pressing issues of governance

ON THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY AND RESTORATION OF JUDGES...

 
Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PMLN)

This is the only party whose manifesto specifically mentions the events which led to the dismissal of deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and 50 other judges of the superior courts. The party commits itself to restoring the judges of the superior courts who refused to take oath under the second provisional constitutional order. Besides this, setting up a federal constitutional court to resolve constitutional issues and giving equal representation to each of the federating units is proposed.

  
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)

There is no mention of the judicial crisis which engulfed the country during the last nine months. However the party commits itself to ensuring the presence of an independent judiciary in the country. PPP’s manifesto proposes the setting up of a constitutional court for resolving constitutional issues. The manifesto also proposes that the judges in the superior judiciary should be appointed with the approval and consent of the parliamentary committee with equal representation from the government and opposition.

 
Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid-e-Azam (PMLQ)

The manifesto wants the people to believe that there is an independent judiciary in the country. There is also a new proposal relating to the superior judiciary.


Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)

The party promises to do away with the parallel judiciary to make the institution of judiciary more effective.
 

ON PROVINCIAL AUTONOMY... 

PMLQ

Provincial autonomy within the federal framework is highlighted, and the party will continue the initiative taken in this regard by the parliamentary committee on Balochistan. Their manifesto also contains the principle that provincial autonomy must include the right to control natural resources existing within each province.

 
MQM

A constitutional reform is proposed under which the federation will retain the control of defence, foreign affairs and currency and the rest will fall under the domain of the federating units.

PPP

Abolishing the concurrent list is proposed. Provinces will be given due share of their natural resources.

PMLN

PMLN proposes to promote unity among the federating units through maximum provincial autonomy. It also suggests decentralising administrative and financial powers to provincial and lower levels.
 

ON EXTREMISM AND TERRORISM...

  
PMLQ

The party manifesto expresses resolve to fight extremism and terrorism — described as the biggest threat to security.

 
MQM

A public awareness campaign against religious extremism and terrorism should be launched.

 
PPP

Militant groups that seek to take the country’s foreign policy hostage shall be dismantled. The distinction between and among terrorist groups will no longer be maintained.

 
PMLN

The party advocates use of force against militant groups.
 

ON DEFENCE AND SECURITY ISSUES... 

 
PMLQ

The manifesto states that while defining national security issues, rule of law and the Constitution, the independence of media and the judiciary as well as the economy should be taken into account. Also, no foreign country has the right to interfere in Pakistan’s internal affairs.

MQM

No statement on defence and security issues is part of the manifesto.

 PPP

The defence budget would be placed under the parliament’s scrutiny. The defence institutes’ curriculum will be revised to include the respect of democracy as an important value. Nuclear command and control would be placed under the cabinet’s defence committee.

PMLN

The party manifesto says that the defence budget will be brought under the purview of the National Assembly for approval.

 

ON RELATIONS WITH INDIA...

 PMLQ

The continuation of the peace process with India is supported, since it is conducive to stability in South Asia. A passing reference to the Kashmir issue is made, to indicate that the welfare of the Kashmiri people is a priority.

MQM

Dialogue with India and cooperation between the two countries, especially in the economic field, is encouraged.

PPP

The party feels that peaceful terms with India are necessary for regional stability. It also advocates strengthening the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation framework.

PMLN

Peaceful settlement of all outstanding issues with India would be accorded special priority by the party.
 

ON CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS...

PMLQ

The party intends to introduce a constitutional reform to provide for the representation of overseas Pakistanis in the parliament.

MQM

Introducing constitutional amendments to give maximum provincial autonomy to the provinces is advocated.

 PPP

Institutions such as the National Security Council shall be abolished, and an unadulterated parliamentary system restored.

PMLN

Restoration of the 1973 constitution as it existed on October 12, 1999.

 

ON CORRUPTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY...

 PMLQ

A non-partisan and independent anti-corruption institution, free of government control shall be established.

MQM

The party intends to appoint dedicated government officials and public representatives as heads of the existing anti-corruption departments to make these institutions more effective.

PPP

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) shall be replaced by an independent accountability commission whose chairman will be appointed jointly by the prime minister and leader of the opposition.

PMLN

The military and judiciary will not be excluded from accountability. The party intends to replace NAB with an independent accountability commission whose chairman will be appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the leader of the opposition.