Published Date: Apr 23, 2013
SDPI Press Release (April 23, 2013)
Jammat-e-Islami
(JI) has pledged to make Pakistan a sovereign and self-reliant Islamic Welfare
state according to the principals of Islam and teachings of Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH).
JI
Deputy Secretary General Dr. Fareed Ahmed Paracha presented party manifesto for
general debate here on Tuesday at a seminar organized by Sustainable
Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in its series of seminars to bring
political parties manifestos in to discussion and assess their impact on
electorates in the run up for May 11 general elections. Shakeel Ramay, SDPI
moderated the proceedings and Mome Saleem, SDPI explained the objective of the
series.
The
Jamaat-e-Islami manifesto includes several determined objectives, including end
of terrorism, lawlessness, land reforms, unemployment, energy crises and
overseas Pakistanis political right sand inequitable distribution of wealth.
The JI believes in foreign policy revision and change in political system to
make it in accordance with the ideology of Pakistan.
Dr.
Paarcha was of the view that increase in Tax net can solve the problem of
increasing budget deficit. The JI after coming to power will ensure the
availability of daily use items along with their sustained prices for the full
term in office. He said the JI will spend 5 percent of GDP on education and
will focus on up-gradation of schools, promotion of Urdu and local languages as
primary mediums of imparting education and will make English language a second
language. Replying to a question, the JI leader said that “JI is against
terrorism and to cope with this problem there is an immediate need of proper
law and order reforms”. All visas which have been issued without any security
clearance will be cancelled immediately. “We will also investigate the
past cases of terrorism in Pakistan and will ensure return of Dr. Afia Siddiqui
back to her motherland” said Paracha.
On
energy sector, the JI leader said the party would control line losses optimize
the 22000 MW electricity generating capacity with the help of Iran and China.
Reflecting upon the energy policy, he said that JI has planned to make six big
and 200 small dams all over the country. Generation of energy from industrial
wastages will be our priority. JI has a plan to make local solar panels. This
will bring electricity prices down by Rs. 10 per unit from existing Rs. 27 per
unit. He said the JI will increase spending out of budget on health with a
special focus of prioritizing homeopathic treatment.
On
women empowerment, Fareed Paracha was of the view that we will implement a law
against divorce. He also talked about reforms in civil services, local
government and police.
Giving
his remarks as a discussant, Mukhtar Ahmed, a senior analyst said that, JI
manifesto is very comprehensive and innovative. He also said that JI has not
addressed the issue of sectarianism in its manifesto. There exists no
regulatory body pertaining religious matters and JI has altogether
ignored this very important point in its manifesto.