PESHAWAR: Catchy slogans and promises of resolving the lingering energy crisis and restoration of peace top the manifestos of almost all major political parties of Pakistan for the May 11 general election.
Various parties have coined new and different slogans, like Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of Imran Khan slogan of “Naya Pakistan” (new Pakistan), and Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz’s slogan of “Pakistan Bachayengay” (we will save Pakistan).
Pakistan People’s Party has its time-tested “Roti, Kapra Aur Makan” (bread, clothes and home), and Awami National Party its “Peaceful Pakistan.”
The Jamaat-e-Islami and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl are banking on the promise of making the country an Islamic welfare state.
While promising a bright future, the political parties have chosen the energy crisis and peace as the main issues in their election agendas to lure voters, while promising to create jobs for unemployed youth and bringing an end to corruption.
The ANP has placed peace atop its manifesto while the PML-N, PTI and PPP are making promises of resolving the unprecedented energy crisis within three years if voted to power.
They also promise restoring peace on a priority basis and creating job opportunities. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F of Maulana Fazlur Rahman, JI and other parties also talk of restoring peace through dialogue.
They are also warning that corruption would be tackled forcefully and those looting the public exchequer would be punished. Besides, provision of civic amenities, health and education are the other promises.
In an echo of past unfulfilled promise of the JI and the MMA, Imran Khan is claiming that he would turn the governors’ and chief ministers’ houses into educational institutions and would double the number of schools and colleges in five years.
His time frame for ending corruption is three months and for load shedding it is three years. The PTI’s “New Pakistan” slogan is attractive to the youth while its promise of doing away with the notorious ‘thana’ and ‘patwari’ culture can lure voters of other age groups.
Nawaz Sharif promises an ideal and peaceful environment and getting rid of power breakdowns in the country. His priority list includes education for all, expanding the road network, creating jobs for youth, fighting corruption and putting Pakistan on the track to economic development.
The PPP is making claims of ending poverty through the Benazir Income Support Programme and restoring peace and ending the power crisis. Voters are asking as to why it could not solve these problems during its five years in power.
The JI and JUI-F, are mainly promising enforcement of Shariah to exploit religious sentiments of voters. They also promise early restoration of peace and establishment of a society based on justice.
However, restrictions on large public meetings and threats of attacks, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have confined the political parties to door-to-door campaign or corner meetings where local issues like the ‘kutchery’, police station, sanitation, street pavement, drinking water, gas and electricity dominate the candidates’ agenda.
Internews
