ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) on Monday announced the party’s manifesto for the upcoming general election.

In a press conference at the National Press Club, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman presented a 12-point manifesto and said the party will resolve the problems of the masses on priority basis.

He said the ‘war on terror’ has led to an increase in terrorist activities in the country as well as in the whole region. Rehman said that the country’s foreign policy will be formulated inline with its national interest.

The manifesto states that relations with neighboring countries will be strengthened and there would be a balance in import and export of the country to strengthen the economy.

Rehman said that national resources will be used and extra expenditures, including unnecessary protocol for ministers will be controlled to stabilise the economy. He added that the country’s economy will depend on national resources instead of external aids or loans.

“Bad governance has made Pakistan into a security state which is against its ideology of being a welfare state,” Rehman said.

He also stated that security will be given to the lives and properties of every citizen.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the quality education will be provided in government institutions to everyone and will be made compulsory for every citizen till matric.

He said that justice at the door step will be provided for every citizen by changing the old judicial system.

Afghan Peace in Manifesto

“Importance will be given to local government system and Afghan reconciliation will be supported. The Afghan Talibans right to be a party in the reconciliation process will be acknowledged to ensure peace in Afghanistan,” Rehman maintained.

The JUI-F chief said his party has been against the war in Afghanistan from the very first day, adding: “Dialogue is the only way to maintain peace in the region.”

“Peace and security will be established in Fata through jirgas, which have already been established. These jirgas will be encouraged to bring peace in Fata and their experience will be used in other parts of the country,” the JUI-F chief said.

Rehman said the Parliament will find a way to make Baloch people real stakeholders in mega projects like the gas pipeline, Gawadar, Reko Diq and Saindak and any final agreement made will be binding on all stakeholders.

He said that semi-independent boards under parliamentary oversight will be established to run ailing corporations like Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Pakistan Steels, Pakistan Railways and Wapda.

 Business, Human Rights and More

Rehman said the inter-banking rate will be made attractive to encourage overseas Pakistanis to send remittances through normal banking channels rather than the Hawala system.

“Economic experts from Pakistan and abroad will be engaged to draft present policy options on burgeoning debt burden within six months,” he added.

The JUI-F chief said that he considered women’s right to resources equal to that of men’s.

He said that harassment of women was against Islam and will be dealt with according to the law of the land.

“Family values will be protected through education and persuasion. Efforts will be made for direct election of women to assemblies,” he maintained.

Rehman said that new provinces will be established in the country only after all stakeholders reach consensus, adding that the said issue will not be used for political point scoring.

“Serious efforts will be made for legislation by parliament in line with the recommendations of Council of Islamic Ideology for the country’s economic, political and social betterment in accordance with the principles of Islam,” Rehman said.