Pakistan Muslim League (PMLN) has finally launched its political manifesto for Election 2024 in a ceremony addressed by three-time premier Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif as general elations are scheduled on February 8. In 2024, over 50 countries are experiencing elections in their respective form of political process including Pakistan, India, and the United States.
The manifesto covers all aspects of Pakistan from economy to trade and from foreign policy to security issues and from making a priority CPEC to initiatives for youth in the IT industry.
CPEC top priority
PMLN made promises for 2018-2023 in foreign relations to emphasize fortifying ties with China even further by ensuring the success of the flagship CPEC project.
PMLN thinking minds made CPEC a top priority by highlighting a billion-dollar flagship China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in their manifesto, aiming to complete the next phases of the Beijing and Islamabad collaborative project under the Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI).
Relations with Moscow
PML-N mentioned in its manifesto about developing relations with Russia by building on the ‘successes’ achieved during 2013-18—when the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif was in power.
It is pertinent to note that In April 1999, the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif paid a state visit to the Kremlin—the first trip to Moscow paid by a Pakistani Prime Minister in 25 years.
Ties with Washington, London, and EU
PMLN in its manifesto aimed to build relations with the United States based on ‘equality and mutuality of interests’, especially in promoting regional peace and security, economy, science, technology and innovation, and exchanges in the fields of education.
When it comes to the strategic and trade partner of Pakistan, the United Kingdom, PMLN promised the Pakistani nation to strengthen relations with the United Kingdom as well as countries of the European Union, particularly in trade, commerce, and education.
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Muslim World, South America, and Pakistan
The foreign policy think tanks of the PMLN promised to strengthen relations with the Muslim Ummah and, particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar, as well as Iran, Turkey, and the Central Asian Republics.
The manifesto emphasized full support for the countries of the third world particularly countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, in their quest for a better tomorrow.
Draw the region closer by launching more connectivity projects ranging from oil and gas pipelines to transmission lines, and power projects.
PMLN unveils Afghan policy
PMLN vowed to support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process in Afghanistan as peace, security and stability are inextricably intertwined with peace security, and stability in Pakistan.
‘Stabilize relations’ with India
Pakistan Muslim League which ruled the country three times in the center had a unique history of stabilization of relations with eastern neighbour India—with whom Pakistan fought three full fledge wars— and this time in its political manifesto said the party to stabilize relations with India through a ‘sustained dialogue process’ with the aim of resolving all our differences.
Reiterates support for Kashmiris in Held Valley
The manifesto said: “Resolve the Kashmir issue based on Pakistan and principled policy of providing our moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of Indian occupied Kashmir, in their just and heroic struggle for self-determination, in accordance with the UN resolutions.”
Islamabad’s FTA with Turkey
Sharif brothers’ led PMLN vowed to finalize a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Turkey to enable even faster economic growth and prosperity in Pakistan.
Spotlight on PMLN’s security vision for Pakistan
There is a separate section for addressing security topics under the title ‘Strengthen Peaceful Self-Defence Capabilities’ in the PMLN manifesto.
PMLN promised the nation to continue the policy of safeguarding our vital strategic assets against threats and conspiracies.
‘Leverage our existing defense ties and those freshly cultivated by the PML(N) to maintain Pakistan and robust defense capabilities.
Explore greater technology transfer between Pakistan and friendly countries to enable the manufacture of local, robust defense systems.’
PMLN its its manifesto vowed to strengthen the narrative that Pakistan believes in compassion and tolerance at home, while seeking the friendship of all countries, based on mutual respect Opportunities for Overseas Pakistanis.