KARACHI: Traders and estate agents are generally frank enough to concede that they have not read the manifestos of political parties, describing it as “just a document” that means nothing beyond that.

CEO of Citi Associates Muhammad Shafi Jakvani said: “I never read manifestos though they are available on the internet. I have no interest because political parties when they are in power do things which benefit them or their cronies. No moral values exist in society and politics, after all, is just a reflection of society,” he said.

The PTI, he said, was the only party un-testified thus far, and people generally have high hopes, but apparently no single party will emerge victorious and we will have another coalition government which would leave even the PTI promises gathering dust,” he said.

Anwar Gagai, who heads the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD), Abdul Wahab Parekh, the owner of Parekh Estate at Clifton, also shared the views.

When asked how they could comment without having read the manifestos, they said what they see on television channels was good enough to know what was in store.

Anis Majeed, Chairman of the Karachi Wholesalers Grocers Association (KWGA), said reading manifestos was a waste of time.

“We rely on the politicians’ words and try to assess their sincere in view of what they have done in the past,” he added.

Manifestos, he said, were made with the help of experts and some of the points were beyond the understanding of an average politician.

“Regardless of who wins, if they could somehow improve the law and order situation and do something about the energy crisis, we will be more than happy,” he concluded.

Farid Qureishi, General Secretary of the Karachi Retail Grocers Group (KRGG), wondered why do political parties need to issue a manifesto that they are not going to follow in any case!