AS the general election become a certainty after clear-cut directions of the Supreme Court, political parties have started people-centric campaigns to attract maximum number of voters. No doubt, most of them still rely heavily on criticizing others but they are now also talking about their plans for welfare of the people and what they intend to do to take the country out of the troubled waters.
Fuller details about future plans of the parties would be known when they announce their party manifestos but broad policy contours are available from the speeches and remarks of leaders of different political parties. As per media reports, PML(N) has finalized a nine-point agenda for its election campaign – a reduction in government expenses, tax reforms, increase in tax collection and broadening of tax-base, increase in exports, development of information technology, decrease in electricity and gas prices, reforms in loss-making state-enterprises, employment opportunities for youth and women and agricultural and judicial reforms. On the face of it, these seem to be continuation of what is already being pursued by the caretaker setup with the exception of a pledge to reduce electricity and gas tariffs. PPP is pledging to strengthen devolution and give interest-free loans and ownership rights to those living on government lands for generations. Leaders of Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party are promising free-of-cost electricity up to 300 units, subsidized petrol for motor-cycles, provision of solar tubewells to farmers and ownership rights for dwellers of slum areas. JI leader Sirajul Haq, while criticizing PML(N) and PPP, is talking in vague terms what his party plans to do if voted into power as he is committing to transform the old system and bring in peace, progress and prosperity. Interestingly, so far, the parties are not focusing on foreign policy issues despite the fact that Pakistan faces daunting challenges at regional and global levels.
