PML-N dissidents former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail promising revolutionary changes have brought their political party into the political spectrum of Pakistan. The Party named ‘Awaam Pakistan’ appeared on Thursday with Mr. Abbasi mentioned as the convener of the Party’s organizing committee, and Mr. Ismail his deputy.
This party reportedly right at the beginning has marked differences with Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar who is said to be no longer with this entity. He wanted to defer the party’s launch till the Islamabad High Court decides on his seat result of the NA-47 Islamabad where from he contested the February 8 general election.
While the other members of this party were in favor of a swift launch. The newly launched political entity came to the surface through a video posted on the X account of Awaam Pakistan that was shared with the tagline ‘Awaam Pakistan: Badlein ge nizam’(People of Pakistan: We will change the system. this post also carried a string of questions by dejected citizens on issues like inflation, gas and electricity shortages, corruption, unemployment, and the lack of schools for girls. Both Miftah Ismail and Khaqan Abbasi floated the idea of this entity to take the country out of persistent crises. Some descendants of the PMLN were also listed as the founding members of this move. Both the said leaders along with former PPP senator Mr. Khokhar worked on this venture since they had quit their respective political parties.
Mr. Ismail was earlier reported saying that when politicians like Nawaz Sharif, Asif Zardari and Fazlur Rehman could do the politics then why not the other people and nontraditional ones. The party’s organizing committee also include former PMLN’s KP governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan, former Senator Javed Abbassi and former MQM MNA Sheikh Salahuddin. The founding members include some other PMLN formers like Rana Zahid Tauseef from Faisalabad, former health minister Zafar Mirza, former MPA Zaeem Hussnain Qadri, Hazara activist Fatima Atif, Sindhi nationalist leader Anwar Soomro, legal expert Abdul Moiz Jaferii and ex-HEC chairman Tariq Javed Banuri.
Earlier, Miftah earlier in different TV shows stated that the objective behind forming this new party was to change the system. He desired for the people to make their own decisions and have the freedom to work. Both Miftah Ismail and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi were the part of PMLN, but quit over differences when Maryam Nawaz was given her Party’s senior position. Miftah said his Party is of a “different kind” as its leadership will be from among women and young people. He disclosed it will avoid targeting one province or ethnic group and will not rely on the dynastic or family politics that dominate its generations.
The motivation for forming his new party was the need to “radically restructure our governance,” he said adding “We are fast reaching the point of no return — and it is imperative we take a hard look at our ineffective governance that has failed our people.” He thought Pakistan’s political leaders other tan of his party as “out-of-touch and short-sighted” with regard to Pakistan’s future. “I am sorry to say they lack both the courage and the competence to change the course of this country,” Miftah was earlier reported saying this.
(By Rana Kashif)
