IN their manifestos, the three leading political parties – PML-N, PPP and PTI – have more or less the same focus on different matters, albeit with slightly different strategies. The PML-N, in its manifesto, pledges to provide interest-free loans and establish direct Kisan markets for farmers, utilize drone technology in the agriculture sector, set up food stabilization funds for the agriculture sector for the stabilization of the prices, allocate research funds for hybrid seeds and solar tubewells and increase production. The PTI pledges in its manifesto for Agriculture sector envisage lining of the canal, the enhancement of the production of seed and fertilizer through technology and National Agriculture. The PPP pledges in its manifesto the issuance of Kisan Card.
Regarding education, the PML-N envisions an increase of four percent of GDP for education expenditure, a 0.5 percent increase in GDP for higher education, an opportunities program, establishment of evening schools and more Danish Schools. The PTI pledges to spend four percent of the GDP on education and aims to achieve a literacy rate of 90 percent. The PPP pledges to allocate five percent of GDP to education, one percent of GDP on research and innovation and to enforce free compulsory education for all children.
For health, the PML-N pledges for the provision of free medical treatment to low income segment of society, establishment of Hospital Management Authority, establishment of the Medical City in provincial capitals, cancer hospital in all the provinces, introduction of clinic on wheel, introduction of new vaccines, facilities of tele-medicine and introduction of the Centralized Stroke Management System. The PTI pledges for enhancing the scope of Health Card, establishment of tele-medicine, the better provision of healthcare through public and private partnership, implementation of electronic health record and tele-health and establishing a medical tourism. The PPP for the health sector pledges in its manifesto spending of the six percent of the GDP on health, introduction of Waseela-e-Sehat Programme.
Economy will be the biggest challenge for PML-N, PPP and PTI. The PML-N aims to reduce inflation from four to six percent and targets achieving a reduction of inflation to 10 percent by 2025. They aim to create 10 million jobs, bring down the current account deficit to 1.5 percent of GDP, increase exports to $60 billion, raise the growth rate to six percent, reduce poverty by 25 percent, lower unemployment to five percent, increase per capita income to $2000, adjust salaries against inflation and completely abolish the circular debt. The PTI aims to reduce inflation to five to seven percent, create 10 million job opportunities, limit loans to 60 percent of GDP, bring 60 percent of development projects under Public-Private Partnership and focus more on foreign investment. The PPP aims to raise the tax ratio to 15 percent of GDP, provide soft loans through the Waseela-e-Haq Programme, make strict decisions for economic sovereignty, announce a new NFC award and completely abolish subsidies for the elite to save Rs1.5 trillion.
For power matter the PML-N aims to bring down the tariffs of electricity bill by 20 to 30 percent, raise the power generations to additional 15,000 MW, generation of 10,000 MW electricity through Solar, aims to bring the new power policy, agreements with the IPPs in Pakistan currency. The PTI wants to focus more on solar and wind power, merger of NEPRA and OGRA into one, privatization of DISCOs and reforms in power sector. The PPP pledges in power sector in its manifesto for provision of 300 units of free electricity, establishment of Solar Parks in every industrial zone, more focus on solar, wind and hydel for power projects, prioritizing the waste to energy technology.
Regarding foreign policy, PML-N aims to promote trade and energy cooperation, utilize the OIC forum to foster unity among Muslim countries on issues such as Palestine, Kashmir and Islamophobia, improve relations with Muslim countries, facilitate the export of manpower to Gulf countries, enhance peace management on borders, pursue relations with India based on equality and complete CPEC projects. The PTI, in its manifesto on foreign policy, emphasizes increasing trade relations globally and avoiding involvement in others’ wars. The PPP aims for constructive engagements with neighbours, fostering ties with the Middle East, GCC and the Muslim world. The manifestos of these political parties are fantastic and ideal, but are they doable or workable? Since 1967, the PPP has always chanted the slogan of “Roti, Kapra, and Makaan” but ironically hasn’t been able to fulfil it yet. Before the 2018 elections, PTI leader Imran Khan pledged to provide 10 million jobs in his government, which he couldn’t fulfil. Shamefully, in 2024, PTI has again pledged to provide 10 million jobs. Now, PML-N has committed to providing 10 million jobs. Will PML-N be able to provide 10 million jobs?
—The writer is editor, book ambassador political analyst and author of several books based in Islamabad.
Email: [email protected]
views expressed are writer’s own.
