LAHORE
\nThe Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) announced an ambitious manifesto focusing on economic and social reforms and struck a reconciliatory tone as it held its maiden public rally on Saturday.
\nAddressing the rally in the Jahanian tehsil of Khanewal district, Jahangir Khan Tareen, once key PTI leader and now the IPP\u2019s patron-in-chief, pointed out that he and some other party leaders were sidelined when PTI chief Imran Khan became the prime minister.
\nHe said these leaders worked tirelessly to follow a dream of making \u2018Naya Pakistan\u2019 but could not do so, as the PTI gradually replaced its original team after assuming power and individuals who were unaware of the party\u2019s vision took the helm.
\nThe PTI had come together with a comprehensive plan to bring about economic improvement, promote industries to generate jobs and transform every sector of Pakistan, he said but regretted that the party had fallen into the hands of individuals who lacked a genuine concern for the country.
\nMr Tareen said IPP members would now complete this dream of transforming Pakistan \u201cinto a beacon of progress on the world stage\u201d.
\nHe also emphasised that the IPP \u201cbelieves in love, and we do not view opposition parties as enemies. They are fellow Pakistanis.\u201d
\nThe party\u2019s Saturday rally was the first of seven it plans to hold in different cities of the province. Party supporters reached the gathering\u2019s venue \u2014 a cricket stadium \u2014 amid strict security measures, including 700 law enforcement officials and walkthrough gates.<\/p>\n
The participants arrived from Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Mailsi, Khanewal, Shujabad, Qadirpur Ran and Makhdoom Rasheed.<\/p>\n
Free electricity, cheap petrol<\/p>\n
When he spoke, IPP President Aleem Khan detailed key manifesto promises, including a minimum wage of Rs50,000 for unskilled workers, free electricity for households consuming up to 300 units per month and for farmers cultivating up to 12 acres, interest-free business loans for young entrepreneurs, and ownership rights to people living in katchi abadies.<\/p>\n
He emphasised the party\u2019s commitment to establishing affordable housing, water filtration plants, and petrol for motorcyclists at half price.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to develop Islamabad like hospitals in the backward areas of south Punjab. Our manifesto revolves around women\u2019s emancipation,\u2019\u2019 Mr Khan said.<\/p>\n
He also took a jab at the past administrations of the three largest political parties, suggesting they failed to bring any major change.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe PML-N got seven governments in Punjab, PPP six in Sindh and PTI two in KP, but they all failed to improve the lives of the masses,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He also criticised Imran Khan for \u201cnot taking advantage of the capabilities\u201d of some leaders and questioned the credentials of PTI leaders \u201cfor whom you people sacrificed Jahangir Tareen and me\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere are Usman Buzdar and Mahmood Khan today?\u201d he said, referring to chief ministers of Punjab and KP under PTI\u2019s rule.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuzdar was the frontman of the PTI chief, who, after receiving the money, used it to transfer ahead,\u201d he claimed.<\/p>\n
\u201cJahangir Khan Tareen had decided to engage in politics for the sake of the people. But, whatever happened in the PTI was contrary to the pledges made when we joined the party,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LAHORE The Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) announced an ambitious manifesto focusing on economic and social reforms and struck a reconciliatory tone as it held its maiden public rally on Saturday. Addressing the rally in the Jahanian tehsil of Khanewal district, Jahangir Khan Tareen, once key PTI leader and now the IPP\u2019s patron-in-chief, pointed out that he […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":364866,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-364832","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n