ISLAMABAD, Dec 27: If voted into power, the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) will introduce “compulsory military training” for all citizens, men and women, between ages of 18 and 35, according to the party’s election manifesto released on Thursday.
But perhaps the biggest promise that the party made in the manifesto is that it would guarantee generation of 20,000 megawatt of electricity within six months of coming to power.The party vowed to amend Article 6 of the Constitution to allow any citizen to challenge the subversion of the statute by individuals or organisations and their aides.
The JI, which had last contested a general election in 2002 from the platform of a six-party religious alliance, Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, and boycotted the 2008 elections, in its manifesto said the rulers had adopted a “foreign war” and “consequently our army is fighting its own people”.
The JI is “opposed to all kinds of terrorism, be it state-sponsored or group terrorism”, pledging that “we will alter the situation which has resulted from forced terrorism in Pakistan”.
About terrorism, the manifesto has a special mention of Karachi. “Throughout the country, and especially in Karachi, all terrorists will be pursued, and their identities will be unveiled, before putting them in the court of law; all individuals involved in target killing, and major terror acts will instantly be sought and brought to justice.”
The JI said efforts would be made to trace “missing people”. Groups and individuals perpetuating this atrocity shall be brought to justice.
The party has termed itself a “political, religious, ideological and a rectification organisation”, saying it “wants to use democracy to change the governance system” and to make Pakistan a true model of the Khilafat-i-Rashida.
Although the JI has promised a number of steps for well-being of journalists and vowed to ensure freedom of press, it says “the media will be stopped from telecasting immoral programmes, and it will be made to abide by a moral code of conduct”.The manifesto says the JI will amend the army act and other laws in order to prevent the army’s interference in political matters. Jihad will be promoted and all individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 will receive compulsory military training. Like army officers, jawans will also be provided a private home at the end of their service. It calls for strengthening relationship with China and discussing “all controversial matters” with India in a “purposeful, comprehensive and result-oriented approach”.
The JI vows to put an “instant end” to all drone attacks and terminate ongoing military operations in Pakistan. It says the resolutions approved by parliament will be implemented.
It says that “all visas granted to foreigners without security clearance will be cancelled, and all activities of foreigners in Pakistan will be monitored according to law”. Without identifying, it says, “all terrorist elements operating in Pakistan will be dealt with according to the law”.
The JI government, it says, will confiscate all lands granted by the British before partition to abolish feudal politics.
The JI has suggested formation of price-control councils comprising members of parliament, judiciary, ulema, lawyers, journalists and consumers to keep an eye on the prices of commodities. In order to determine the prices of petroleum products, a commission will be formed comprising all major stakeholders and members of parliament.
The manifesto spoke of fast-track, mid- and long-term strategies to resolve the energy crisis.
The JI promises one million jobs per year in collaboration with the private sector.
All vacancies in the judicial system will be filled within first six months of the government. A new system will be introduced in courts to ensure settlement of cases within a year.
The JI vows to take special steps to bring back money stashed in foreign banks.
It says that women will be provided opportunity to study from primary to higher education. Working women will be provided with a better social and professional environment.
The JI will ensure 30 per cent reduction in all non-development expenditures, especially the money spent on houses and travel of government officials.
It says that a platform will be provided to all NGOs working in Pakistan so that they could collaborate and devise a mutual support mechanism.
A system to ensure practice of Zakat, and Salat, for all and sundry, will be introduced. The laws to observe the respect of Ramazan will be implemented strictly.
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