ISLAMABAD: Third tier leadership of political parties on Friday participated in a dialogue on their party manifestos at the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) which was hosted by the Progressive Writers’ Association.

The speakers seemed very well aware of their party manifestos and also listened to criticism patiently.

The event was organised to give an opportunity to party leaders to share key points of their manifestos with writers, educationists, students and people from all walks of life. Advocate Faheem Qureshi was the moderator of the event.

Third tier leaders explain the promises they made, hear criticism of their time in power at PAL dialogue

First tier leadership or heads of political parties hardly participate in dialogues with other party leaders. Second tier leaders have a number of times exchanged heated arguments and even sometimes scuffled during talk shows and dialogues.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) District President Women Wing Farah Agha said her party will address water issues and provide graveyards in every districts as people have to buy graves to bury their loved ones.

“We will build dams and introduce a uniform education system. We will eradicate corruption and will bring transparency across the country. Special attention will be given to the environment and the tourism industry will be improved,” she said.

Asked why her party had failed in building dams in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in making roads, completing projects or eradicating corruption in KP, Ms Agha said there was improvements and suggested that those who did not know should visit KP.

PPP’s Michelle Fatima said her party will address the challenges facing the country and will introduce special cards for poor people for availing financial support and health facilities.

“We will enrol 25 million out of school children in schools and introduce paid internships for the youth. The party believes in mainstreaming women and more opportunities will be provided to the youth,” she said.

Ms Fatima was asked why her party had failed in implementing its manifesto when it was in power. She said the party was now being led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is well educated and that the party will fulfil all its promises.

Local Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) leader Shahid Ammar Gondal said his party believes in empowering the poor and has put land reforms in its manifesto.

“We have plans to address the power crisis and provide everyone with shelter. There will be a uniform education system if we get into power. Our economic policy will be labour friendly and we will work for women empowerment,” he said.

Though participants asked him a number of questions, including that JI has never been supportive of women empowerment so how come it will ensure the rights of minorities, Mr Gondal replied to all questions patiently.

Awami National Party candidate for the National Assembly from Islamabad, Ammar Rashid said his party manifesto suggests constitutional and financial reforms.

“We have suggested proportional representation of political parties, on the basis of total votes, in the parliament and uniform distribution of resources. We will focus on education and the curriculum will be changed, land reforms will be done. We will take a stand on enforced disappearances,” he said.

Mr Rashid was asked that though his party speaks about labour, most of its posts on social media were in English.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2018