PTI announces election manifesto promising to build great Pakistan
Great Pakistan, a great future, and freedom from a bad past are the highlights of the manifesto of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) for the upcoming February 8 polls, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel.
Addressing a press conference PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan along with Information Secretary Rauf Hasan revealed the summary of the party's election manifesto entailing the country's prosperous future and freeing it from its bad past.
Gohar said PTI’s manifesto was titled ‘Shandaar Pakistan, Shandaar Mustaqbil aur Kharaab Maazi sey chutkara’.
https://twitter.com/PTIofficial/status/1751573973048148358
The party chairman also lamented the 'harassment' of the party's candidates. "Such tactics are against the law and the Constitution, and are akin to obstructing the people."
He also expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of level playing fields provided for their political rallies, saying instead of providing level playing fields, they are being deprived of fields.
Asserting PTI's stance, Ali emphasized the party's commitment to pursuing constitutional reforms upon gaining power.
Reiterating the party's mantra of bringing change, he added that a glorious future and getting rid of the inadequacies of the past is the new manifesto of PTI.
"Our manifesto is one nation, one law, equality for all as there cannot be two laws in one country."
He said the PTI insists on the rule of law, and whether criminal or civil, the laws of the country are "outdated". Gauhar further said the party will protect the fundamental rights of the people by bringing changes to criminal law and introducing a new system for investigations.
He pledged to initiate amendments aimed at ensuring direct public representation in electing the Prime Minister and reducing the National Assembly's term from five to four years.
Ali underscored the importance of fair representation, emphasizing the need to dismantle existing disparities in the legal framework.
He criticized the current political landscape, highlighting discrepancies between the party's aspirations for a progressive Pakistan and the constraints imposed by outdated legislation.
The barrister outlined PTI's vision for an inclusive democracy, advocating for the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address historical injustices and foster national reconciliation.
Ali further emphasized the imperative of electoral reforms to ensure equitable representation, proposing the reduction of the Senate's term from six to five years and advocating for direct elections to fill fifty percent of Senate seats.
PTI's chairman reiterated the party's commitment to upholding constitutional principles and fostering a transparent electoral process.
He urged stakeholders to join hands in building a new Pakistan characterized by democratic values and equitable governance.
Recalling the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) chief Sikandar Sultan Raja's assurance of a level playing field, in response to the apex court's orders, the lawyer called on the ECP to address the hindrances faced by the party in its electioneering activities.
"We demand to be allowed equal opportunities as [both] citizens [of Pakistan] and a political party," Gohar said, adding that the party has been deprived of the field, to present itself before the masses, to begin with.
"Our candidates stand with the party despite contesting the polls on independent symbols," he noted.
"If every day you obstruct the will of the people, what will and can we predict about February 8," said Barrister Gauhar.
He requested the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure equal rights for all. "The equal rights are not just for parties, but also for all candidates." He added that the PTI is the "country's largest political party" and yet is it is not being allowed to campaign for the upcoming polls.
"A country can not have two laws."
He said that the party leaders who compiled the document were unable to be present for the press conference over fears of being arrested.