APML unveils manifesto

Published April 15, 2013

Musharraf_AFP_1_670
Former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf.—Photo by AFP/File

ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) on Monday revealed its manifesto for the upcoming elections.

Addressing the unveiling ceremony of his party’s manifesto, held amid tight security at his farmhouse in Chak Shehzad near Islamabad, APML chief Pervez Musharraf said he had done nothing wrong but was ready to go to jail if the courts ordered it.

“I have a conviction in my heart that I have not done anything wrong,” he said.

“The only thing in my heart was to save Pakistan and now I am here I have the same commitment, that I will save Pakistan.”

Musharraf is currently fighting a barrage of legal battles in court, including his implication in the case of former PM Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti’s killing in a military operation and treason charges for sacking judges and imposing emergency in 2007.

Asked what he would do if he lost the cases and was sentenced to prison, Musharraf told reporters: “If that is the decision, I am ready to go.”

Revealing his party’s manifesto, Musharraf said it was modeled on the APML election manifesto of 2010 and was better than all other political parties, adding that it was linked with Sura Al Imran.

Last week, the former military chief told CNN that he had authorised some US drone missile strikes on Pakistani soil during his 1999-2008 rule but on Monday he said he was now “totally against” them.

Musharraf also vowed in his manifesto speech that, if elected into power, he would not allow any external forces to intervene in Pakistan, and that his party would work to further strengthen the country.

The former military strongman said that one of the biggest ills affecting the country was nepotism and favouritism and his party would take all measures to root out corruption, especially in government circles and among the rich and powerful.

Musharraf also said that alleviating the people’s despair and protecting Pakistan against external and internal threats were major parts of his party’s manifesto. The APML leader also vowed to work for the promotion of peace and prosperity in Pakistan if elected into power.

He also stated that his party had an effective plan for the utilisation of water resources through the construction of the Kalabagh dam.

He said that his party would also evoke strategies to enhance agriculture and improve irrigation in the country.

Reflecting on the country’s politics, Musharraf said he was the only leader who had implemented an effective democracy in the country and, if elected in power, he would ‘restore’ democracy in the country.

Opinion

Editorial

Wheat price crash
Updated 20 May, 2024

Wheat price crash

What the government has done to Punjab’s smallholder wheat growers by staying out of the market amid crashing prices is deplorable.
Afghan corruption
20 May, 2024

Afghan corruption

AMONGST the reasons that the Afghan Taliban marched into Kabul in August 2021 without any resistance to speak of ...
Volleyball triumph
20 May, 2024

Volleyball triumph

IN the last week, while Pakistan’s cricket team savoured a come-from-behind T20 series victory against Ireland,...
Border clashes
19 May, 2024

Border clashes

THE Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier has witnessed another series of flare-ups, this time in the Kurram tribal district...
Penalising the dutiful
19 May, 2024

Penalising the dutiful

DOES the government feel no remorse in burdening honest citizens with the cost of its own ineptitude? With the ...
Students in Kyrgyzstan
Updated 19 May, 2024

Students in Kyrgyzstan

The govt ought to take a direct approach comprising convincing communication with the students and Kyrgyz authorities.