QUETTA, June 19: A new political party was launched here on Sunday with the aim of establishing a true Islamic system in the country. Sharjah-based economist Dr Niaz Mohammad Khan announced at a press conference here on Sunday that the new party would be called Bedar Pakistan Azmat-i-Islam.

Introducing himself as the party’s first chairman, Dr Niaz gave the names of other office-bearers of the party. He said that Zaheerul Islam Abbasi, a retired major general, would be the party’s president and Syed Jahangir Shah Bukhari would be its secretary general.

About his party’s objectives, he said that Bedar Pakistan Azmat-i-Islam would work for a true Islamic system in the country — a goal that had so far eluded all other political and religious parties of the country.

Dr Niaz said his party would also struggle for provincial autonomy “The centre should keep only defence, currency, communication, trade and foreign affairs and all other powers should be transferred to the provinces,” he said.

He said that his party would also introduce a mutual benefit coupon system in the country to reduce the economic problems being faced by the people of all the four provinces. “Under this programme, the country’s economy would be boosted in a matter of days instead of years and months,” Dr Niaz said.

Maj Gen (Retd) Abbasi while speaking on the occasion said that the new party would give an “Islamic, political, economic and social system to the country”.