PML launches its manifesto for elections 2013

Lahore: Pakistan Muslim League (PML) in its Election 2013 Manifesto has set out 7 national priorities and pledges to combat extremism and eliminate terrorism, education for all, better management of energy, employment for youth, empowerment of women, revival of economy to reduce poverty and curbing inflation and elimination of corruption.

Election 2013 Manifesto with slogan of “Building a Better Tomorrow” was launched at a crowded press conference at the Muslim League House here today which was addressed by PML President Senator Ch Shujat Hussain, Secretary General Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and Chairman Manifesto Committee Senator S.M.Zafar. Also seated on the stage on the occasion were Central Information Secretary Senator Kamil Ali Agha, Women Wing chief Mrs Farrukh Khan, Minorities Wing leader Akram Maish Gill, Senator Naseer Mengal, Haleem Adil Shaikh and Nasir Mahmud Gill.

Ch Shujat Hussain in his inaugural address pinpointed three basic principles which are based on telling the truth and “Kalma-e-Haq” and we will always side with the oppressed and oppose “zulm” as was the case in the Iraq War, Balochistan and Lal Masjid. He said that others in their manifestoes say that they will do this work on coming into power whereas our performance on various issues proves that we have done that. He said Ch Parvez Elahi as Punjab Chief Minister introduced and launched new projects and unique policies and initiatives which were unheard before not only in Punjab but whole of Pakistan. He emphatically stated that PML is an ideological party, which created Pakistan, and not personalized party. He said Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali, Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Madar-e-Millat Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah are our role models and “we will Insha-Allah move forward carrying their mission”.

He said the manifesto carries only photograph of the Quaid-i-Azam and national flag of Pakistan. He said that what we say Insha-Allah will do that and apologize for what cannot be done. He felicitated Senator S. M. Zafar, Chairman of the Manifesto Committee and members of his team for working hard to prepare a manifesto which can guarantee bright future of Pakistan.

Ch Shujat Hussain, Mushahid Hussain Sayed and S. M. Zafar while highlighting salient features that the PML pledges to strengthen democratic values through a human rights agenda which is inclusive and promotes a just, tolerant and pluralistic Pakistan; promote an enterprise culture which develops skills, supports workers and creates jobs; take all appropriate steps to increase agricultural products, achieve food self-sufficiency and to promote high value products for export ; ensure free and universal primary education; ensure free and equitable distribution of the nation’s wealth and prosperity to every citizen especially the marginalized and poor; commits itself to a political will which delivers energy needs of the nation as we are not energy deficient and the energy crisis is due to mismanagement and corruption, and; also commits to combating corruption which has spread like cancer in the society and will punish those loot and plunder.

They said that a National Security Council, headed by the Prime Minister, will be constituted. They said that implementation of Parliamentary Committee’s Report of 2005 will be ensured, a Karachi Emergency Camp will be established, place much needed focus to Pakistan’s runaway population growth, a Special Parliamentary Committee will be formed to address all legitimate interests and concerns of free media, comprehensive insurance policy for journalists, photographers and media persons be launched, due emphasis will be laid on ideas, initiatives and implementation (Three I’s ) for ensuring better results, a National Education Policy will be formulated, a National Commission on Poverty will be constituted, an effective Counter Terror Strategy will be put in place through a lead organization based in the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, a Speedy Justice Action Plan will be prepared, Women’s Protection Centres will be established and a Youth Employment Strategy will be formulated.

Continuing, Mushahid Hussain Sayed said that Religious Minorities Protection Bill will be introduced as PML in the words of the Quaid-i-Azam considers non-Muslims equal citizens of Pakistan, a Culture and Arts National Foundation will be established, innovative Lahore Rapid Mass Transit Scheme will be revived, a National Environment Climate Change and Water Resources Authority will be set up and an anti-corruption hotline will be established for the first time in the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.