PESHAWAR: The Awami National Party (ANP) on Saturday announced its manifesto for the upcoming general elections promising an “empowered” local government system in the province with all financial, administrative and political powers.

The announcement was made by ANP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president Aimal Wali Khan during a news conference at party headquarters the Bacha Khan Markaz here, where party provincial general secretary Sardar Hussain Babak and other members were also present.

Mr Khan said that if his party came to power, it would ensure truly empowered local bodies in the province.

“We will set up a local government system vested with full financial, administrative and political powers,” he said.

He said the ANP government would keep the provincial assembly only for legislative work and transferred all powers to the districts.

Says its govt will spend 4pc of KP’s GDP on education, introduce ‘uniform’ health system

Mr Khan said after assuming power, his party would spend four per cent of the province’s GDP on education, set up the provincial Higher Education Commission, and universities in all districts.

He also said the ANP would strive to establish 50 degree colleges, 25 higher secondary schools and 45 high schools in five years.

“We will ensure education at primary level in the mother tongue besides declaring English, Urdu and Arabic compulsory languages,” he said.

The ANP leader said in the health sector, his party would provide a uniform and quality health system for all citizens irrespective of their financial standing.

He said that his party’s government would invest in the grassroots healthcare system and modernise and equip basic health units.

“We will start a sustainable and integrated public health insurance system for the entire province,” he said.

Mr Khan said that his party would also try to draw a “balance” between the accountability and autonomy of the government sector hospitals.

He promised changes to the Medical Teaching Institutions Reforms Act.

“We will also focus on the promotion of tourism and develop tourist sites in the province. We will also develop the province’s mineral and agriculture sectors and poultry, fruit and vegetable processing to put the province’s economy on solid footings,” he said.

The ANP leader said in the energy sector, the party’s government would introduce “solar farms”, run-of-river hydel power projects, and smart metering, while 3,000 schools, 100 BHUs, 50 THQs, 5,000 mosques and 500km roads would be put on solar energy.

He said his party would also work to end violence against women and ensure gender equality.

Regarding tribal districts, Mr Khan said after coming to power, his party would secure funds promised by the Sartaj Aziz-led committee for the region.

“Tribal districts will get Rs100 billion every year for development during our rule. We will also work to put an end to land disputes in the region.”

The ANP leader promised Internet service for all tribal districts and said a road would be constructed between Bajaur and South Waziristan to connect all tribal districts.

He said the party’s election manifesto promised 300km of farms to market roads in five years.

“We will introduce a web of eight roads linking eight regions of the province with the provincial capital. We will ensure the full opening of 14 trade routes between Afghanistan and Pakistan,” he said.

Mr Khan promised free university education for youth and an increase in enrollments from 70,000 to 150,000.

He said the ANP government would provide a Rs5,000 monthly grant to every female student and 100 research grants of Rs1.5 million to research scholars annually.

“We will give Rs35,000 monthly stipend to all educated unemployed youth in the province,” he said.

The ANP leader also promised the establishment of “silicon valleys” in four districts of the province with free internet and power supply.

Published in Dawn, Aug 6th, 2023