Dr. Ikramul Haq & Abdul Rauf Shakoori
With the conclusion of the general elections on February 8, 2024, the new elected leadership of Pakistan, for the term spanning 2024-2029, has received the voters’ constitutional mandate. Throughout this electoral process, political parties presented their manifestos making promises to the electorate.
Engaging slogans were shaped to capture the voters’ attention, such as “Chuno nai soch” [Go for new thinking], pledging to address issues of inflation, poverty, and unemployment by Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP). Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) unveiled a manifesto promising to establish a Madinah-inspired state built on four Islamic values: welfare, rule of law, governance, justice, and accountability. Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) issued a manifesto with the tagline “Pakistan ko sachy manshoor say Nawaz du” [Bless Pakistan with true manifesto], vowing to promote economic growth, implement structural reforms, foster energy development, and expand infrastructure.
The manifestos by three mainstream parties and many others, significantly amongst them, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JIP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), reflect the diverse aspirations and visions put forth by political parties to garner support and steer Pakistan’s future trajectory.
In the aftermath of elections, the post-election landscape has crystallized with one party having emerged as the primary governing force, while the other two retain significant influence, serving as vital checks and balances on the government’s power. It is imperative that these parties assume an expanded role, not only to hold the government accountable for fulfilling its manifesto promises but also to ensure provision of relief to the masses in accordance with their stated visions. This shared responsibility among the political entities underscores the importance of collaborative governance and accountability in advancing the interests and welfare of the Pakistani populace.
Analysis of various political party manifestos reveals a shared commitment to providing relief to the masses. The PMLN has outlined comprehensive plans focusing on structural reforms, economic growth, and infrastructure development. Their objectives include reducing inflation to single digit and creating 10 million jobs, aiming to decrease poverty rate from 38% to 25% over five years. Furthermore, they have pledged to achieve a GDP growth rate of 6%, elevate exports to $60 billion, and secure $40 billion in annual remittances from expatriates. These ambitious goals apparently show their determination to address socio-economic challenges and promote sustainable progress for Pakistan. The detailed proposals signify a concerted effort towards enhancing the nation’s well-being and fostering a prosperous future for all citizens.
They have made ambitious pledges in their manifesto aimed at reshaping various facets of governance and infrastructure. These commitments include a substantial reduction of electricity bills by 20 to 30%, alongside plans to bolster the national grid by 15,000 MW and launch 10,000 MW solar power projects. Moreover, they propose elevating tax-to-GDP ratio from 10.4% to 13.5%, initiating privatization of struggling state-owned enterprises, and abolishing the National Accountability Bureau. Additionally, they have advocated for restoration of Articles 62 and 63 of the Pakistani constitution to their original state. These promises underscore their vision for economic growth, energy sustainability, and institutional reform. If realized, they seem to hold the potential to making progress and addressing key challenges confronting the nation.
The PPPP, a prominent political entity with a longstanding history of governance in Sindh spanning past 15 years, maintains a substantial influence in the region. In their manifesto, it pledges to extend social protection measures for the lower socio-economic strata and launch initiatives targeting poverty alleviation and hunger eradication. Additionally, they commit to safeguarding the rights of minorities and marginalized groups, while advocating for the empowerment of the federation through the amendment and implementation of the 1973 Constitution in its true essence. Their manifesto in particular, includes a compelling promise to ensure tangible increases in real income for wage earners, reflecting their dedication to enhancing the economic well-being of the populace.
Pakistan is undeniably among those nations where labour rights are flagrantly disregarded, with a semblance of modern form of slavery. Despite government-mandated minimum wages, a significant portion of the population earns below subsistence levels. In contrast to the international standard of a 40-hour work per week, labourers in Pakistan endure grueling schedules exceeding sixteen hours per day, often without receiving minimum wage. This deprives them of quality time for personal advancement, such as seeking additional employment opportunities, spending time with family, or acquiring new skills. This discrepancy underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to safeguard rights and welfare of the labor force in Pakistan.
The new government must prioritize addressing this issue, ensuring that all employers adhere to the workweek standards established by the International Labour Organization. It is imperative that every worker receives at least the minimum wage mandated by the government. By rigorously enforcing these regulations, the government can effectively protect the rights and welfare of the labor force, fostering a more equitable and just work environment. This proactive stance is crucial for promoting economic stability and social justice within Pakistan.
Despite grappling with significant survival challenges, PTI is steadfast in its proposals for reform. Among its key initiatives are advocating for the direct election of Prime Minister, reduction of the National Assembly’s tenure to four years, and for the Senate’s tenure to five years, with direct and indirect senatorial elections. Additionally, PTI pledges to sustain ongoing social protection programmes established by previous administrations, such as the Sehat Card initiative, the Ehsaas programme, implementation of a uniform education system, and ensuring accountability across all levels of government. These commitments show PTI’s dedication to instituting structural changes and fostering societal well-being.
As the post-election landscape begins to take shape, it is imperative for all political parties and institutions to collaborate with the incoming government to alleviate the nation’s sufferings. This necessitates a concerted effort towards fostering unity and cooperation, transcending partisan divides for the collective betterment of society.
With a focus on prudent foreign policy, initiating structural reforms, implementing the principle of trichotomy of powers, and upholding good governance, the incoming government holds the key to addressing pressing challenges and steering the nation towards progress. Additionally, political parties must embrace their role as vigilant watchdogs, ensuring accountability and transparency in governance, thus safeguarding the interests of the people. Through collective action and unwavering commitment to public service, a brighter future for Pakistan can be realized.
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Dr. Ikramul Haq, an advocate of the Supreme Court and writer is an adjunct faculty at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). Abdul Rauf Shakoori is a corporate lawyer based in the USA.