Pak SarZameen Party’s National Decentralized Democracy Master Plan will be introduced through a keystone legislation to enable Local Government election system that inspires public confidence in Local Government and is critical to strengthening and sustaining democracy in Pakistan. Establishment and enablement of a strengthened Local Government system will bring participatory democracy right down to the street level at the doorstep of every citizen, introduce transparency and promote good governance at all levels.

The new system advocates empowering people at the grass root level, providing affordable and speedy justice at their doorstep, ensuring fiscal autonomy and equitable opportunities of livelihood, and  enabling the people to have a meaningful role in shaping their own destiny. The system is designed to ensure, through an effective system of checks and balances that genuine interests of the people are served and their rights are safeguarded. The system introduces participatory or bottom-up model of development in which citizens at the grass-root are involved in planning, formulation and implementation of  programs for themselves.

It is our resolve to develop institutions and processes that are more responsive to the needs of the ordinary citizens including the poor, and that promote development. For a democracy to be sustainable it is critically important to strengthen electoral and legislative systems, improve access to justice and public administration and develop greater capacity to deliver basic services to those most in need. We must always remember that “Responsibility is crucial in governance’’.

It is the basic pillar of PSP’s political agenda to ensure strong local democracy through effective decentralization and good governance. PSP will ensure local governments have the autonomy to fulfill the mandate of the people through:

1. Constitutional and legal recognition for local democracy
2. Partnerships between spheres of government
3. Opportunity to participate in local decision-making
4. Open local government-accountability and transparency
5. Defined legislative frameworks
6. Adequate and equitable resource allocation
7. Equitable service delivery
8. Building strong local democracy and good governance

PSP’s roadmap is Pakistan’s emancipation and true empowerment in order to better serve the people by effectively translating the power of vote into an egalitarian system with full powers to exercise control of economy down to the very local levels and with representation reflective of actual residence irrespective of caste, ethnicity, sect or political loyalty. This will strengthen transparency, accountability, reduce tensions, and ensure smooth policy execution. Where the country stands today, and regardless of the idealism of current political system, the task of putting Pakistan on the right track is not possible for the politicians alone nor can any other institutions pull it off by itself unless it is a collective effort and has the strong backing of the Pakistani masses.

To place Pakistan on the path to greater economic growth, PSP recommends, introduction of robust tax reforms to broaden the tax base including reforms in agriculture taxation, decrease tax evasion, reduce the size of the informal sector; empower the central bank to operate independently; and categorically eliminate corruption at all levels of bureaucracy and in various State institutions. PSP will work on decreasing our dependence on foreign aid and foreign debt; reduce energy subsidies and deregulate all distribution and power generation companies to attract greater investment in that sector; Critical improvements to Pakistan’s economic policies are needed in many different areas.

Most essentially PSP will introduce immediate and potent reforms on four crucial fronts to revive the economy.

2.1.Curtail widespread corruption:

Cutting red tape, removing needless regulations, and increasing accountability are integral to resolving corruption in Pakistan. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), should be empowered through constitutional and legal measures (including necessary security measures) to scrutinize and report cases impartially—without fear of retribution, so that inquiries can be completed in a just and transparent manner. PSP will create awareness and ensure the implementation of the Right-to-information laws so that citizens can scrutinize government activities and ensure the proper stewardship of all public resources.

2.2. Deregulate the energy industry:

Nowadays affordable electricity has acquired the status of a basic right and PSP is determined to give this right to the public. We will reduce the cost of energy production to a level where it benefits the poor masses. The government should reduce energy subsidies deregulate all distribution and power generation companies so that the sector can unleash market forces to more efficiently determine electricity rates. This would allow for greater investments and resolve the structural issues in the power sector, including distribution inefficiencies and circular debt. It is critical that Government should judiciously reduce energy subsidies with due consideration of the poor and without hurting them. PSP will aim for "targeted subsidies" for the lowest income strata of the society only.

2.3.Decrease dependence on foreign debt:

Pakistan must decrease its reliance on foreign funding by categorically reducing government spending and increasing revenues. We will introduce substantive tax reforms that broaden the tax base, bring the entire population and the informal business sector into the tax system, eliminate all exemptions and privileges to certain individuals or organizations, decrease tax evasion through tougher enforcement, and document the existence of economic activity with a major overhaul to the government’s information technology infrastructure. Of course, the highest-priority reform for Pakistan’s fiscal and monetary
apparatus must be to make the State Bank of Pakistan (the central bank) fully independent so that it can manage foreign reserves more transparently and professionally.

2.4.Ba Ikhteyar Entrepreneur Program for Business, Innovation and Skills:

Pakistani population and especially its industrious youth are ready to step in the job market are blessed with the spirit of enterprise and entrepreneurship and if provided with the conducive environment and right guidance can greatly contribute to economic independence and sustainability at the individual, community and national level. PSP will establish a Ba Ikhteyar Entrepreneur Program for Business, Innovation and Skills at Federal level for economic growth. The department will invest in skills, trainings and education to promote trade, boost innovation and help people to start and grow a business. The new department will have experts and technical members from relevant government departments in various ministries, technocrats, academia, industry and trade. The program will devise entrepreneurial and sustainable programs to tap into the youth potential, channel it into mainstream economy and contribute to its growth and country’s development with far reaching social impact as well.

PSP places its faith in the youth of Pakistan as they will be the true managers of change and its positive impact on the country. With more than 55% of the population under the age of 25, Pakistan has one of the youngest populations in the world, which is fueling the development of one of the world’s fastest growing middle classes. As a direct result there is a corresponding increase in consumer spending in Pakistan that continues to grow at a breakneck pace of more than 25% year on year, outpacing the Pan-Asian average of 7%.

3.1. National Youth Strategy and Action Plan:

PSP has formulated a National Youth Strategy and Action Plan keeping in mind the prominent and growing ‘youth bulge’ in order to accommodate the youth in the economic and political spheres. There is a critical need to create 2.5 to 3.0 million jobs a year to cater to the current unemployment rates. Developed countries have already developed strategies to cater to their youth at the start of their youth bulge.

It is an established fact that youth bulges in developing countries are associated with higher unemployment and, therefore, a greater risk of violence and political instability.

National Youth Strategy and Action Plan will actually keep our young population happy with a sense of ownership, economically productive and effectively engaged with society through education, economic development and the jobs that go with it; things that will make a value adding difference in the long term. The National Youth Strategy and Action Plan will help in building productive partnership with youth by ennoblement through education, and empowerment through employment and engagement. If properly tapped, our ‘youth bulge’ can yield high dividends not only for Pakistan but for the region as the best manpower and intellectual capital.

3.2. Revival of Student Unions:

PSP sincerely believes that Student unions must be revived. We also believe that Pakistan is going through a severe leadership crisis and an important reason for this dearth of leadership is the sanction on student politics. It is pertinent to learn from past and take essential steps to rectify the situation. Elections of student unions should be conducted on a non-party basis.

It is a well-known fact that Pakistan is in the midst a serious energy crisis which is hemorrhaging the entire economy. Pakistan’s Energy Crisis can be surmounted by a sincere and credible political leadership willing to undertake much needed holistic reforms across the value chain, with a credible and professionally managed road map, under a public private partnership model, balancing the needs of all stakeholders, focusing on both supply and demand management and most importantly changing public mindset for the greater national good. PSP firmly believe that we as a nation must bring ecofriendly and sustainable changes in our habits and lifestyle.

PSP proposes to modernize the energy industry, prioritize the energy selection and make sure that impact on external front is soft and balanced against local needs without hurting the small consumer. The critical issues dealing with generation, distribution, delivery, consistency of supply and billing will be sorted and addressed on urgent short term and permanent long term basis. Almost half of the country’s total energy is generated by expensive imported thermal fuel. Reliance on oil and gas has led to high electricity prices for consumers. PSP will take steps to address and correct the 25% of power that is lost through inefficient power distribution networks, poor infrastructure, mismanagement and theft of electricity and this will be fixed on urgent basis.

It is critical that Government should judiciously reduce energy subsidies with due consideration of the poor and without hurting them. PSP will aim for "targeted subsidies" for the lowest income strata of the society only – unlike past when subsidies were applied uniformly across all categories of users which didn't make sense and unfair to the poor.

The underlying objective of liberalization with due regulatory oversight is to create more competition, a level playing field, and more choices for the customer, declining price trend and improved customer service.

Equally important is the deregulation of all distribution and power generation companies so that the sector can unleash market forces to more efficiently determine electricity rates. This would allow for greater investments and resolve the structural issues in the power sector, including distribution inefficiencies and circular debt. Privatization would also curb corruption within the system. It would enable energy agencies to work autonomously when collecting electricity bills and holding customers accountable for non-payment and theft. Ultimately, privatization would also eliminate Pakistan’s “circular debt” power- generation financing problem and, thereby, lessen the need for future major government borrowings that have burdened the economy in the past. The government should also diversify Pakistan’s energy mix in order to decrease reliance on imported fuel and increase self-sufficiency in indigenous resources, such as coal, wind, biomass, solar, and hydroelectricity. At the same time, Pakistan should welcome foreign investment to develop all of Pakistan’s natural energy resources.

Our Energy and Water needs coupled with climactic changes, constant shortages, inter-provincial distrust and geopolitics places us in the most precarious scenario with no more time to waste. PSP will constitute a powerful commission headed by a Chief Executive with the mandate to have recommendations within 45 days of its constitution. The recommendations will have to be implemented on war footing basis and that is need of the hour and the only way to our survival. The country needs consistent affordable power and adequate water to meet our agricultural, industrial and urban needs.

Pakistan has infinite sources of both sun and wind and it is PSP’s resolve to develop alternative and affordable sources of energy. The major regulatory obstacles will be removed and the 5% cap on the maximum generational capacity from alternate energy sources by National Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) will be raised to 20%.

PSP will establish an Energy Infrastructure Fund. PSP will introduce a framework for Public-Private Partnerships to allow for private capital to flow into the much needed energy infrastructure. To achieve this objective, an Energy Infrastructure Fund will be launched to retail and institutional investors with the Government of Pakistan and Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) as anchor investors. The Fund will be open to global multilaterals institutions besides the expatriate Pakistanis as key stakeholders.

Population Census is a crucial developmental tool to ensure fair and transparent allocation of Budgetary Resources and Realistic Planning from a Caring and Socially Responsible State. Census data is used by government ministries, different agencies, researchers and academics to plan and analyze demographic trends, plan and project future scenarios. For any such planning to be effective accurate information on population numbers is a must. In Pakistan, where focus on service delivery is hardly a top-level priority, the population census is very low on governmental priorities and for politically ulterior reasons.

Pakistan today is much more urbanized than reported by the government. A census would reveal that more than 50 per cent of the population now lives in the country’s cities and towns. It is a fact that poor quality of data in Pakistan greatly impedes development.

It won’t be unjust to say that the repeated delays in population census are ill intentioned and an ulterior tactic in defrauding the people of their rights, revenues and depriving them of true stake holding in the political process. It is a deplorable attempt to retain political stranglehold through malicious means and dangerously defying the ground reality of rural to urban shift all over Pakistan. The demographic reality has been sidetracked one too many times and the time has come to have the population census without any delay. It will be highly unfair to base the future NFC Award or the general elections in 2018 on a denominator that would be almost two-decade-old. It is critically important to have National Census completed and its results effectively reflected before any delimitation of constituencies is undertaken otherwise this action would be considered unconstitutional and illegal.

The recent population census has left many questions unanswered with regards to its transparency. PSP wants the population census process to be digitized and made transparent as much as possible and would also like the inclusion of the socioeconomic, health and sanitation data besides the counting of the population.

The urban expansion in the developing world of the 20th century has been twice as fast as in the developing world of the 19th century. In light of this reality we need to take a historically comparative perspective on exploring the new features of fast urbanization, its dynamics and zoom in on the role of demographic factors.

Around the world, unplanned urban expansion is multiplying slums, overburdening housing, transportation and infrastructure systems, stifling economic growth, and leaving millions vulnerable to new environmental and health threats.

PSP plans to convene an exceptional Task Force of urbanists, rural revitalization experts, leading policy makers, government officials, finance experts, urban researchers, members of civil society organizations and other innovators for a National Urban Development and Rural Revitalization Forum to address the critical issue of rural to urban shift.

Rural economies will be put on track with creation of industries offering employment and new opportunities to the local populations and improving the quality of life. New cities will be created all over  Pakistan, instead of the continuing expansion of existing ones.

Agriculture constitutes the largest sector of our economy. Majority of the population, directly or indirectly is dependent on this sector.

The highflying idea to transform every farmer into a progressive farmer, is no more than wishful thinking, especially if Government’s agricultural package is not designed to focus on the needs of poorer farmers, who do not have a sizeable amount of cultivable land. Most importantly targeted policies have to be put in place for landless farmers, which ensure tenancy rights, promote women’s ownership of land, and ensure the provision of a minimum wage to multitudes of poor rural households who work as agricultural laborers, merely increasing agricultural yield in the province will do little to address the lingering problem of rural poverty and its associated deprivations. If past lessons are anything to go by, increasing agricultural productivity does not imply that the lives of the multitudes of poor farmers will automatically improve.

PSP will introduce egalitarian farmer friendly policies that will address the agricultural crisis from a social justice perspective and will move beyond the narrow political calculus and broaden its attention to include the rural poor, to improve the structural condition of rural poverty.

PSP will takes immediate steps to address and counter rural poverty through fair distribution of farming subsidies, agriculture credit, ensure availability of water to farmers regardless of the size of their landholding or political clout, speeding up the mechanization of farming and improving markets. PSP plans to achieve value added growth in the agriculture sector for both domestic and export markets,
achieve food security and to raise overall rates of economic growth for the benefit of all sections of the society, that the agriculture sector needs to grow at 5 percent for reducing poverty and reaching the growth targets of 7-8 percent for the national economy of Pakistan.

7.1. Corporate farming:

Corporate farming has its merits and benefits which cannot be denied, though its negative consequences have far-reaching effects in the long term. Corporate Farming in Pakistan’s context has to be better understood and adapted to our ground reality to develop our own model with due regards to the small farmer and our national interest.

7.2. Agriculture and Food Security:

PSP aims to set out a vision and goal for agriculture and food security with a set of policy directions. Overall responsibility for agriculture and rural development lies with the Provinces after the 18th Amendment. A set of actions related to Federal and inter-provincial issues in agriculture and food security will be devised concerning: i. International and domestic coordination, ii. Upstream and strategic research, iii. Identifying minimum standards for food safety, iv. Seed certification, and v. Pest and Animal health surveillance.

7.3. Food Security and Agriculture Policy:

PSP’s Food Security and Agriculture Policy will focus on creating a modern, efficient and diversified agricultural sector that: i. Can ensure a stable and adequate supply of basic food supplies for the country’s population, and provide high quality products to its industries and for export to ensure attractive incomes and decent employment for those who live and work in rural areas; ii. Can use the resource base in an efficient and sustainable manner; iii. Can flexibly adapt to climate change and be resilient enough to quickly recover from shocks and emergencies; and iv. Can ensure that all sections of the population have stable access to adequate, nutritious and safe foods necessary for a healthy life. PSP will establish Village Grain Banks for the use of rural poor so that the villagers would no longer face starvation during the 'lean' season. Grain banks in their village will come to rescue and ensure at least two square meals a day. Technical help would be sought from WFP for this program.

The Village Grain Banks Program can be a great mean to empower rural women and improve food security and will be managed by trained people from the community.

7.4. Availability of Water and Water Security Strategy:

Pakistan has up till now failed in its attempts to secure its water reservoirs. Today, Pakistan also fosters one of the lowest crop yields per unit of water in the world. Climate change coupled with rapid urbanization and population growth would further impact the availability of water, making it one of the most water-stressed countries of the world. Water security is an increasingly important issue that constitutes one of the biggest challenges to Pakistan’s development. With a projected population of over 263 million in the year 2050, Pakistan needs to put serious thought into how it will provide adequate water for agriculture, industry, and human consumption in the face of rapidly dwindling reserves. Pakistan’s water issues are multi-dimensional. There is no single, all-encompassing problem, but instead multiple, interrelated problems. Therefore, systems analysis becomes crucialin helping the country develop optimal solutions to its challenges.

PSP proposes a Water Security Strategy for Pakistan at three critical levels: i. Within the Country; ii. Trans-boundary and iii. under the Climate Change Scenario. Accordingly a consensus National Water Policy based on the premise that water security should be made part of the country’s foreign, domestic and economic policies must be put in place on an urgent basis. To tackle the challenges of scale, we must apply the next generation of smart water management (ICT driven) besides the 20th century approach to water management that involves large, medium and small-scale dams/reservoirs, link canals, and inter-basin transfers all over the country. The strategically important and economically vital large scale dams/reservoirs with hydel power generating capacity should have proper environmental impact studies done to minimize the bearing on the local ecology and environment. Floodwater and rain water harvesting will be given top priority to prevent water wastage and its availability year round and in times of need especially in drought zones. Calamities such as Thar could easily have been avoided with little foresight and planning.

7.5. Kissan Dost Card:

PSP will introduce a ‘Kissan Dost Card’ which will be used for the betterment and prosperity of farmers and landowners who own up to 25 acres of land. Holders of the Kissan Dost Card will be able to i. Take interest free loans from the banks, ii. Buy Fertilizer, Pesticides and Seeds at discounted prices, iii. Receive a discount on Electricity and Diesel for Tube wells, iv. Buy a tractor interest free through the ‘Kissan Dost Tractor Scheme’, and v. in the event of a Flood or any other natural disaster, receive special discounts on their own and their families medical care through medical insurance.

Education and Health for all is the very bedrock of development. There is a dire need for educational reforms in Pakistan. There is also a lack of an effective uniform education system in Pakistan.

Governmental disregard and criminal negligence, a dual system of education, untrained academic staff and crumbling schools have left our educational quality and human resource in state of sheer crisis. This gulf in our education system has resulted in serious socioeconomic problems for the country.

PSP will introduce Universal Education (up till grade 10) and increase spending on education to a minimum of 4.0 % of GDP from the dismal 2.6 % with major emphasis and a fresh initiative on School system and curriculum without compromising on Higher Education. To address the critical issue of poor Universal Nutritional Program for school going children which will be heavily subsidized and also used as incentive to draw children to school.

PSP will establish Institutes of Excellence in Teaching and introduce Teachers Capacity Building programs from this platform. The endemic issue of ghost teachers and ghost schools would be addressed for once and all through good governance and stringent accountability of both the civil servants and legislators facilitating such fraud.

PSP will introduce the ‘Ba Hunar Community College Initiative’ (BHCCI) Program in all provinces through the elected Local Governments. BHCCI will provide a quality vocational education and training program through community colleges intended to build technical skills, enhance leadership capabilities, and also strengthen proficiency in English, Chinese and other relevant languages. The program will also provide opportunities for professional internships, service learning, and community engagement activities. After completing the program, participants armed with new skills and expertise will contribute to the economic growth and development of Pakistan through better management practices, application of effective governance skills and tools. Most critically it will become a highly skilled human resource developer and provider for Pakistan and to the region at large and globally.

Women despite being half of Pakistan’s population have been largely ignored in all fields of life including economic, societal, social, psychological, educational and literary. The longstanding oppression of women is the source of numerous issues we are facing. Domestic violence, Karo Kari prevalent in various sections of our society, Wani and Child marriages are common examples female exploitation.
Educated, socially aware women are not only the current need of our country but they are crucial in correcting and creating positive awareness for our future generations.

Nowadays, women are active in all walks of life. They are being productive and smartly playing active roles in factories, houses, offices and educational institutions along with nurturing their families and responsibly carrying our cultural and religious traditions. Protecting their rights entails protection from physical and sexual abuse, economic independence, protection from sexual exploitation, equal opportunity in private and public jobs, equal pay, right to choice of one’s spouse, right to own property and right to education.

PSP wishes to make women’s rights committees at the Local Government level. These committees will specifically cater to women’s complaints at the local level and will protect them from exploitation within and outside their homes. For this purpose, these committees will be able to start legal recourse for such issues in collaboration with the local women’s police stations. PSP wishes to protect the self-respect of women by endorsing the secrecy of complaints so that women will gain the confidence to come forward.PSP gives importance to all the women’s protection legislation done till now and wishes to implement them in body and spirit. It also wishes to continue the process of legislation to protect women’s rights.

PSP wishes to:

1. Conduct seminars and workshops at the national level which will create awareness in women regarding their rights.
2. Promote gender awareness and female independence through fundamental changes in our current educational system.
3. Remove obstacles to women’s participation in the political process. This entails assisting them in their familial responsibilities, protection from harm and removing fear of stepping into practical life.
4. Promote women’s development apart from education through training, career enhancement and augmentation of vocational and practical skills.
5. Create programs at the national level which impart marketing knowledge and skills to women entrepreneurs so that they may be able to easily launch and promote their products to consumers.
6. Create adult education programs for women who have not been able to attend school so that they maytend to their families and the literacy rate of the country may also be increased.

A nation’s standing in the world is gauged by how its people’s basic needs are being met. Much like education, health has received no more than lip service in Pakistan, which spends merely 0.9pc of its GDP on healthcare. PSP will substantially improve healthcare through a host of measures including substantial increase in spending and bringing it to 2.5 % of GDP. PSP firmly believes that even the present Health budget allocations can be better utilized if corruption and cronyism is stopped to deliver a respectable, effectively governed and quality Health care system to the people of Pakistan.

A survey of 638 rural health centers revealed that 276 (43 percent) did not have a female medical officer while 222 centers only had one medical officer. Approximately 55 percent of newborn deliveries in rural areas were done by traditional maids (da’ees) or with the help of female relatives. Data from Tehsil headquarters and civil hospitals was shocking. From a total of 280 hospitals, 206 hospitals did not have a lady doctor or female health specialist.

PSP will introduce a National Prevention Strategy. Prevention would be woven into all aspects of our lives, including where and how we live, learn, work and play. Everyone—government, businesses, educators, health care institutions, communities and every single Pakistani—has a role in creating a healthier nation. A greater emphasis on prevention in our country can significantly reduce the burden of disease and injury among all Pakistanis, resulting in better health, a longer lifespan, and improved quality of life for succeeding generations.

“Health and education for all” is the very bedrock of development. PSP will introduce Universal health care/Universal health coverage to all citizens of Pakistan. A meaningful debate around the causes of abysmal health services is the need of the hour and the important role of State in delivering quality healthcare.

PSP will entrust the responsibility for improving public health to local government for several reasons and because of LG’s • population focus • ability to shape services to meet local needs • ability to influence wider social determinants of health and ability to tackle health inequalities.

PSP staunchly supports a Heath policy formulated on the basic principle of setting priorities based on needs of millions and not prioritization and random allocations based on politically fashionable causes in the world’s sixth most populous developing country. Pakistan’s Health Policy should target those millions of its citizens who are dying and suffering because of unavailability of basic Healthcare; like failure of EPI (Expanded Program on Immunization) and unavailability of clean drinking water. Merit and Excellence should replace Mediocrity in medical sciences across the board. Pakistan’s health indicators as a whole are lamentable and a lot can be learned from impressive gains made in SAARC with similar issues at hand.

To address above mentioned issues we don’t need a complicated Heath structure but we must make the following basic interventions. PSP firmly believes that government-supported universal healthcare is attainable and affordable in Pakistan by making it a political priority.

1. The healthcare needs of large swathes of our population can be better addressed by providing public insurance schemes.
2. Mandatory yearly training and promotion requirement for all healthcare providers from nurses to HODs to develop empathy, refine interpersonal skills and to give the desired attention and care to patients.
3. Activate BHUs (basic health unit), RHCs (rural health centers), THQs (tehsil headquarter hospital) and DHQs (district general hospitals).
4. All tertiary care hospital should become autonomous with independent and should be able to run their affairs efficiently and without fear. Public sector HODs should work as full time professors and they should be well paid and in accordance with market based salaries.
5. Medical colleges should strictly adhere to merit and all teaching faculty should be appointed accordingly. Medical universities that don’t meet the mark should be warned and an effective medical education and training system should be established. Higher Education institutions should be provided with the necessary facilities required.
6. Experienced and trained doctors and nurses will be posted in hospitals and basic Health units especially in rural areas. Absenteeism will be minimized through an effective system of checks and balances. Mandatory and appropriate appointment of Female doctors and nurses in Female Health Centers is also an important part of PSP’s health policy. In 2012, a survey of 638 rural health units revealed that 276 (43 percent) did not have a single female medical officer while 222 had only one female medical officer. Approximately 55 percent of all baby deliveries in rural areas are being done with the help of midwives and relatives. Tehsil headquarters and civil hospital figures were even more baffling – out of a total of 280 hospitals surveyed, 206 did not even have an expert on women health on board.
7. PSP proposes strong and independent PMDC, PNC and provincial Health boards.
8. PSP will introduce on war footing an aggressive program to train thousands of Midwives, Nurses and Health workers all over the country.
9. Private sectors hospital and medical colleges and universities in private sector should be utilized to help Health care system.
10. Alternative Health care system will also be brought under discussion.
11. A Rural Health Package to turnaround the abysmal state of affairs, raise standards and with incentives to public sector employees along with special packages to serve in rural health setups.
12. PSP proposes a Physician and Pharma Commission to address and recommend measures to eradicate the unethical practices from healthcare practitioners and pharma industry.

The fear historically built around the census exercise may serve some ulterior political ends in the short term, but it certainly deals a death blow to the concept of sound planning in health and other social sectors and criminally deprives people of their rights and resources.

Most importantly the population census data contains crucial information on housing conditions, which provides vital information about the social determinants of health. Invaluable information about disabled people is of great help in designing services appropriate to this segment of the population.

PSP will promote a culture of accountability, integrity and transparency. Not one government has passed effective legislation to deter corruption and allied crimes.

PSP aims to stiffen the watered-down legislative framework which fails to address corruption committed in evermore innovative ways. It will introduce legislative amendments to accountability laws, in order to create strong, independent institutions.

PSP will introduce a transparent and open system for all government organizations and a series of measures to curb and control corruption. PSP will take the political parties, civil society and intelligentsia on board to raise demands for improvements in legal and administrative frameworks. It is only through ruthless accountability and exemplary punishments for the corrupt across the board which is required to
deter and tackle corruption. The cost of corruption to Pakistan’s economy amounts to $133 million per day, $66 million of which is evaded taxes.

1. Freedom of Information Act will be passed in consultation with all stakeholders including civil society and media.
2. Laws and rules will be amended to withdraw discretionary powers where permissible and provide for exercise of powers in a transparent and fair manner.
3. Procurement Laws and Rules will be reviewed and tuned in with current best practices and strengthened
4. Public interest disclosure’ law will be passed for protection to persons exposing corruption and other illegalities like kickbacks and commissions.
5. Land-grabbing is an ever rising menace in our society. To deter such mafias and individuals existing laws will be strengthened and strictly enforced with heavy penalties and forfeiture of property and assets.

PSP’s central philosophy of LG and devolution would be the key to addressing the rampant corruption in public sector and holding the corrupt accountable, where people can serve as the true accountability system through their respective local councils. It is pertinent that the effectiveness of Public Accounts Committee is translated down to the level of every Pakistani.

PSP will introduce a “Poverty Alleviation Program” rooted in the needs of the poor and specifically developed for the grass root level by the State. The alleviation of poverty by providing vast employment opportunities to the unemployed youth would also overlap with the endeavor to promote industry, business and agriculture. Poverty Alleviation in a population dominated by youth is a highly specialized area needing political wisdom supplemented with in-depth planning and thorough treatment by experts through a well thought of and meticulously planned National Program.

The relevant polices will be formulated to make resource-based development more efficient and sustainable while targeting the primary production activities in Pakistan’s developing economy to improve its competitiveness, attaining export potential, limit resource over exploitation and waste, and generate increase returns and revenues. Policies to eradicate poverty need to be targeted at the poor where they live, especially the rural poor clustered in fragile environments and remote areas.

The increased financial returns and funds generated from primary production activities must be reinvested in the industrial activities, infrastructure, health services, education and skills necessary for long-term economic development.

Pakistanis are blessed with the spirit of enterprise and entrepreneurship and if given dignity by providing them with the environment and right guidance can greatly contribute to economic independence and sustainability at the individual, community and national level.

PSP will introduce the ‘National Social Protection Strategy’ (NSPS) with four broad principles to formulate various social safety net programmes:

1. Improving current income support programs by enhancing capacity of the ultra-poor to face poverty by providing them with special allowances.
2. Creating employment and self –employment opportunities for the very poor through micro-credit.
3. Ensuring food security for the very poor by providing food assistance free of cost or at a nominal cost. PSP will introduce a ‘Hunger Eradication Program’ through which masses below the poverty line will be provided with free monthly rations.
4. Creating capacity of the very poor to deal with poverty by providing them with education, vocational training and healthcare services.
5. Special discounts shall be given on Electricity, Gas and Petrol for people falling in the low-income bracket.

The kind of multifarious internal security environment that we live in today cannot be repaired without breaking foreign nexuses. The internal weaknesses and gaps critically leave us open for dangerous exploitation by external agents and if we put our house in order, we have less to fear from external manipulations.

Militancy in any form cannot be defeated by armed action alone. Tough measures have to be accompanied by socio-economic development, educational reforms and a change in laws where necessary. In Pakistan, despite a growing consensus and its result the National Action Plan (NAP), the state has been unable and unwilling to get its act together and take the steps necessary to safeguard its citizens. Until it
does, Pakistanis will continue to die needlessly.

PSP is convinced that until the state has to assert its authority, in order to send a clear and stern message to all those who are involved in disrupting and destabilizing the state. To those who are willing to reform and make corrections the State will extend a helping hand but this should not be taken as a softness on part of State. PSP fully supports the NAP and the establishment of an effective NACTA. PSP will allocate sufficient resources and political support to enable NACTA (National Counter Terrorism Authority) to implement its mandate in totality.

It is our sincere belief that in order to thwart the growth of terrorist groups Pakistan must focus on the social, political, and economic drivers that spur people to commit or support extremism and violence. It is critically and equally important to identify and analyze the factors that are most strongly linked to the emergence of violent extremist organizations such as the level of political violence committed by the state and the level of armed conflict within a country.

In practice, measures such as bolstering anti-corruption efforts, expanding educational and employment opportunities, increasing access to speedy justice, promoting ethnic, religious and sectarian tolerance, and creating space for mainstream moderate voices and non-violent alternatives. This can all be achieved through a well-funded and empowered NAP (National Action Plan) and bolster the NISP at the level of soft power.

PSP suggests that any policy on counter terrorism should seriously and respectfully engage with all stakeholders including the civil society. It is PSP’s conviction that the state discourse must emphasize the centrality and primacy of Pakistan as a nation-state with precedence over all societal organizations. The principles of constitutionalism, participatory governance, the rule of law and socioeconomic justice must become the hallmark of governance and political management. A credible worldview based on religion-cultural pluralism, tolerance and equal citizenship rights need to be disseminated among the people by all political parties, parliamentarians and elected local governments, and warn people against the groups that use religion to justify hatred, violence and discrimination.

Keeping past general amnesty programs in view, PSP will introduce a General Amnesty and rehabilitation scheme for the alienated elements (militant wings) of urban strife who were maliciously led astray by political party leadership through the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and leading to rehabilitation and assimilation in the society as productive members. We have precedents in FATA and Baluchistan and it is high time to apply similar repetitive approaches in cities.

From Brain Drain to Brain Gain: The goal of PSP’s Science & Technology policy will be to turn the tide of Brain Drain from Pakistan into Brain Gain within five years of its implementation. The successive Science & Technology policies and heavy budgetary allocations in past have not added value to the country in terms of improved industrial progress, efficient systems and solutions in health, agriculture, water resources and their management, food technologies, affordable housing, energy issues etc. to the advantage of the average person’s quality of life. Our score card on Science & Technology is abysmal at best. Science & Technology policy needs to be revived from paralysis, rejuvenated and work with the country’s talented scientific community (both local and expat) to connect with Pakistan’s citizens and work on the needs of the country and direct value addition to our economy and social sector.

PSP’s Science & Technology policy places special emphasis in the fields of agriculture, nutrition, environment, and health and energy security of the land. We firmly believe that true transformation is only possible through Science and Technology and will adequately increase allocations for research in the high priority fields identified.

PSP will encourage the brightest minds to opt for fields in Science & Technology and would focus on engaging and attracting bright minds with the relevant aptitude towards scientific research right from school-level and also higher level research works by way of providing attractive incentives, scholarships, expansion of funding schemes, improving laboratory facilities and other amenities.

PSP will encourage private sector to invest in Science & Technology and to introduce venture capital and incubators to encourage start-ups based upon research in areas of direct consequence and commercially viable like farmer centric agriculture science, developing improved crops, food, health, innovations in the field of energy, earth and climatic sciences, as well as promoting research in pure
and applied sciences.

PSP will make sure that the rights of laborers/workers are protected. Labor laws will be revised to safeguard labor rights, safe work conditions, ensure fair wages, holidays and paid maternity and paternity leave, will regularly review and set minimum wage and workers benefits comparable to cost of living and inflation rates, workers access to improved health care, education, skills development and to improve employer employee relations. PSP will work on developing a skilled labor force to meet the challenges of a growing economy with emphasis on Productivity and Health and Safety through joint efforts of the Government, Employer and Workers. PSP will ensure the proper and transparent use of the funds from the Social Security program to the advantage of the laborers/workers.

A major problem for the laborers is the lack of coordination between the organizations that work for their welfare. PSP will ensure that there is coordination between all the federal and provincial departments regarding the betterment and development of laborers and that their social, political, economic and personal issues are resolved through a one-window operation. All Labor Welfare departments will be bound to build their capacity to an international standard and to ensure that their offices are in easy reach of the laborers. Labor welfare funds will made safe from useless and unnecessary expenditure.

The remittances from overseas Pakistanis constitute a major part of our GDP. This Initiative goes beyond remittances and charity. Overseas Pakistanis are playing an increasingly important role in economic development of Pakistan.

PSP proposes to establish the first ever ‘National Overseas Pakistanis Development Fund’ open to all Non Resident Pakistanis. With this investment, Pakistanis all over the world will be able to support financing for businesses that tackle poverty across Pakistan, working in critical sectors like education, financial, agriculture, healthcare, water and sanitation, renewable energy and energy efficiency. By joining forces with the diaspora, Pakistan will unlock new sources of investment capital and strengthen bonds that help our country prosper.

Overseas Pakistanis will not only be given the right to vote, the necessary preparations for them to cast their vote overseas will also be done, so that they can be a part of the future of the nation. The re-issuance process of NICOP and Passports will also be streamlined and simplified.

PSP believes in media as the fourth pillar of the State, that Freedom of media shall be respected and guaranteed by law. We are committed to freedom of expression and will legislate to right to information and communication with the participation and consensus of all the relevant stakeholders belonging to the Media, the Parliament and Civil Society. A Media policy will be devised in discussion and consensus with the newspapers and regional and national media organizations:

1. A new National Media policy will be introduced after reviewing all the unanimous recommendations.
2. Clarity in censorship policies and transparency in their application.
3. PTV/PBC shall be made autonomous bodies.
4. National Media should play its role in the promotion of national unity and a positive image of Pakistan.
5. Making PEMRA positively effective by removing overbearing political influence so that we can facilitate the engagement of all stakeholders to PEMRA in setting up and running local television, cable, internet channels and radio stations independently.

Police reforms are the crucial need of the day in order to have effective law & order and to create a sense of security in the citizens of Pakistan. Without wasting any time and in order to address law and order and terrorism related issues a balance of power will be formed between the Federal, Provincial and the Local Governments through:

1. De-politicization of police department.
2. Role of institutions such as the Parliament, judiciary, military, political parties, public prosecutors and defense lawyers in administrative affairs of the country.
3. Strengthening the legitimacy of police from an adversarial institution to one enjoying community and public confidence.
4. Making the Police institution more transparent, politically neutral, and accountable to the public.
5. PSP will introduce a National Deweaponization Program (NDWP) which will rid the country of weapons keeping into consideration all cultural, traditional and geographical sensibilities.
6. Front Office staff will be given special training to transform it from a public-frightening force to a public-friendly service organization, so that they can behave in client/customer relationship manner with the citizens and restore public confidence.
7. Security of tenure for key appointment holders.
8. An adequate police budget will be allocated and a strong check on corruption, inappropriate and unnecessary expenditure will be introduced.
9. Capacity building by equipping the Police with the latest in weapons and technology along with continuing trainings in crime fighting, forensics and prevention.

It is our conviction that to strengthen the state’s writ, policing functions should devolve to the union council level, where they must have clearly defined functions. Aside from investigation, local police should handle the security of vulnerable establishments, and perform preventive and traffic functions. Community policing should be the exclusive domain of the local police. A defined percentage of the provincial budget for law-enforcement should be allocated for local police departments. Our current policing model is reactive in practice. We propose a proactive, preventive and educational role for local police units which can enhance community awareness, and in the process re-establish links with the communities they serve. Local police is also instrumental in fostering volunteerism.

The cornerstone of PSP’s Foreign Policy has been formulated keeping national interest supreme. Constructive engagement (Political and Cultural) with all nations based on mutual respect for independence, sovereignty, equality of all nations and noninterference in internal affairs of one-another. PSP sincerely believes there are no permanent friendships and enmities between states; that the national and economic interest of a state supersedes all relationships and ideologies.

Pakistan is focused on its geo-strategic position in an age when countries build on their geo-economic situation. Moreover our insecurity has led to a narrow definition of national security, which does not consider economic, food, water or climate change as security, whilst unfortunately these considerations have defined our foreign policy. It’s our resolve to bring clarity, foresight and substance in the Foreign Policy and to project Pakistan as a robust and stable member of the global comity, with a lot to offer to the region, Ummah and towards global peace and prosperity.

Pakistan has completely ignored geo-economics and geo-connectivity for its benefit. With a weak economy and modest GDP growth rates of three to four percent of recent years, Pakistan cannot hope to build an effective foreign policy.

We have been a client state for the longest time and it has most detrimentally and intrinsically affected our national psyche and the resultant paranoid need to be attached with some power center or benevolent patron and mostly at the cost of national pride. It is time to pull the plug on this debilitating algorithm and to deal with all states on equal terms.

China’s friendship has been the best thing that could have happened to Pakistan. We must preserve and dynamically expand our relationship with People’s Republic of China at all levels, in all spheres of economy and most importantly at people to people level.

There are lessons to be learned from the most dysfunctional roller coaster relationship between US and Pakistan. The whole premise needs to be revisited and new grounds established for future relations between our great nations based on respect, trust and towards achieving eco friendly economic goals for a stable and prosperous Pakistan, a safer region and a sustainable planet.

The traditional enemies and friends in coming years will be influenced more by economic needs, connectivity and vision and less so on longstanding animosities or brotherly love for each other.

We have to understand this evolution and bring it home in our Foreign Policy in order to be an effective member of the global comity and not to miss the opportunity of a lifetime, without compromising on sovereignty and to be better equipped against external threats of military and non-military nature. This will also prepare us better to face the emerging challenges on both the economic front and the newer forms of existential threats from outside and internally. The new enemy is stateless, safely embedded in general populace, amongst us and more lethal and disruptive than imaginable.

The Kashmir issue needs to be resolved according to the United Nations Resolutions with due regards to their ‘Right to Self Determination’ through a fair Plebiscite. Kashmir will remain the focus of Pakistan’s foreign policy and smart lobbying will be done with the help of the International Community towards an acceptable & effective resolution to the longest standing conflict. Equally important is plight of Kashmiri people that needs to be bought to the attention of international community.

PSP frankly believes that country cannot develop and ensure civil rights when individual interests overshadow national interests. Pakistan’s problem is not ‘bad laws’, it is their selective application. At the end of 2015, nearly 27,000 cases were pending at the Supreme Court and 60,000 before the Lahore High Court (LHC) and the Sindh High Court each. A large number of these pending cases were not less than a decade old. There are two obvious reasons for the inordinate, protracted delivery of justice in this country: one, shortage of judges at all tiers of the judiciary, and two, delaying tactics used by lawyers to prolong cases through adjournments.

20.1.Recommendations for Fair, Transparent and Speedy Justice in Pakistan:

PSP will make sure that writ of the state is applied all over the country without distinction or discrimination and anyone found breaking the law will be treated with justice by the government of the day without regard to position, stature or clout.

PSP proposes the following recommendations for reforms in Pakistan’s judicial system.

1. PSP will work on legislating a law that would bind judges not to adjourn the case for more than 14 days. In order to make the ‘legal wasteland’ a useful ground again, cases must only be adjourned in exceptional circumstances. Only a limited number of adjournments should be granted so the proverbial common man does not spend a substantial part of his life and savings running around the courtroom.
2. PSP will make sure that free legal advisors are provided to deserving and poor people through a Legal Aid Committee. It will check and determines who is really in need of Legal Assistance.
3. PSP will address the chronic shortage of judges on urgent basis.
4. E-Justice: PSP will introduce e-justice system all over Pakistan to enable the masses to have easy access to courts record, updates on courts proceedings through internet and cell phones through a Case Tracking System (CTS). The E-Justice and CTS will greatly expedite the cases and their early disposal, bedsides checking and eliminating corruption in courts.
5. Administration of court under competent staff for a simpler, efficient and a speedy judicial system.
6. Human Rights, Constitutional and Legal rights should be part of the school syllabus for prevention of crime and augmentation of awareness about judicial and legal matters.
7. The discouragement of the liberal adjournments granted by the subordinate courts and high courts.

20.2. Human Rights:

We will ensure the protection of the Constitutional, Legal and Democratic rights of all Pakistanis. In this ambit, Women’s Rights, their Empowerment and reducing the gender wage gap, Child Rights, Rights of Minorities, Elderly and People with Disabilities will be given minute attention. We will uphold and work towards further implementation of all international covenants and treaties to which Pakistan is a signatory and will fulfill our obligations to promote and protect fundamental human rights, to core human rights instruments such as:

1. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
2. The Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,
3. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and
4. The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography.

At the time of Pakistan’s independence Quaid-e-Azam had assured religious minorities that “you are free, you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or cast or creed — that has nothing to do with the business of the State.” Quaid also said that “we are starting with this fundamental principle: that we are all citizens, and equal citizens, of one State.” PSP upholds the rights of the minorities and will make sure to provide them with job opportunities in line with their population and career opportunities corresponding to their talents.

To promote religious tolerance and a sense of unity, oneness, brotherhood and understanding, PSP will enact programs at the community level where all communities can actively take part. PSP vehemently condemns any action or ideology that goes against human rights or that hurts the sentiments of any religious or ethnic minority.

PSP proposes a fully independent Election Commission with sufficient resources, state of art fool proof technology and tools to exert its authority over all aspects of electoral administration and to ensure reforms are properly implemented; otherwise the electoral reforms will be cosmetic at best. While electoral reforms are important, the real test will be the ECP’s ability to rigorously enforce these reforms and establish its institutional credibility. A judicious selection of new members of the ECP is therefore of paramount importance. PSP implores on the necessity to take serious steps in order to establish the sanctity of the electoral process before the next general election. The role of big money in the coming elections needs to be controlled through regulation of election spending by political parties and it should be part of the next generation of electoral reforms.

Holding another election without a new census, and without addressing weaknesses in the legal and administrative framework, is not in Pakistan’s national interest. An updated and NADRA verified voting list is the first important step towards a transparent election.

Legal framework and administrative processes for elections are vulnerable to malpractice and therefore the need to be seen as organic, requiring regular review and modification to ensure compliance with international standards and obligations. It also reflects a broader political need to engage in continuous efforts to sustain confidence in the efficacy of the democratic system by making sure electoral processes are credible, transparent, responsive and inclusive, and are aligned with the expectations of all electoral stakeholders.

It is imperative to realize that rigging starts pre-election through multiple means and that the actual Election Day determines the fate of many a candidate through the sheer presence of political party camps and thugs near the polling station and can steer events to the advantage of the party with the strongest presence, show of strength and freely used fear tactics. To address this critical and fateful nuisance factor that directly influences polling staff, polling process and results, it is suggested that no political party camps, workers or activity be allowed on the day of elections and especially near the polling stations. The only camp would be that of the Election Commission. Election Tribunals will also be mandated to strictly resolve election petitions within the stipulated time frame.

Equipping Pakistan and especially its vulnerable people to adapt to a changing climate and creating the political will to support this transition while maintaining the development goals will be a key point on PSP’s Climate Change and Reforestation agenda.

Climate change is perhaps the greatest threat to poverty eradication, having an impact on many aspects of development and making existing gender and other inequalities worse. Climate change threatens to wipe out years of development progress and for the poorest and most vulnerable threatens their survival and way of life.

PSP firmly believe that we as a nation must bring Eco friendly and sustainable changes in our habits and lifestyle and for it will introduce Pakistan Environmental Sustainability Program at Local Government, Provincial and Federal levels. This program will gain strength from different disciplines to blend scientific, socio-economic and policy perspectives for a stronger understanding of sustainability and how it can be achieved through Energy, Water and Environmental Sustainability.

23.1. Goals for Policy and Practice

1. We will put poor people central to the climate change agenda to ensure that we do not compromise the development choices of the poorest.
2. Explore the causal relationship between climate change and natural disasters to help people better cope with uncertainty and natural disasters.
3. We will work on better understanding the links between smallholder farmers, climate change and opportunities to benefit smallholder farming systems that address the climate challenges making markets work for poverty reduction, food security and environmental sustainability.

We will put sustainability at the center of our thoughts and actions, working on the principle that inclusive growth cannot be limited by the barriers of time and space - it has to be built on the foundations of the past, leverage on the opportunities of the present, and preserve and enhance its resources for the future.

23.2. PSP will through legislation and policies:

1. Promote sustainable agriculture by promoting farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities and animal welfare.
2. Encourage cleaner production of energy.
3. Cleaner fuels will be promoted so as to bring down the pollution levels particularly in the cities.
4. The concept of pro-active 'Carbon Credit' will be promoted.
5. Ecological Audit of projects and pollution indexing of cities and townships will be done on scientific basis.
6. Pollution control mechanisms will be set up on priority basis.
7. In addition to protecting the existing forests and wildlife reserves, the wastelands of the country will be used for social forestry.
8. Guidelines for Green buildings and energy efficient work places will be devised.
9. Research and Development and Human Resource Development in Environment Technology will be promoted.
10. Set up mechanisms for protection and preservation of wild life.
11. Encourage citizen's participation in reforestation, agro-forestry and social forestry, through targeted programs.
12. Encourage and incentivize innovative garbage disposal and waste management practices, especially recycling techniques.
13. PSP is committed to serious endeavors for creating awareness regarding the conservation of Wetlands, National Parks and Natural Habitat through effective legislation and policies including creating a research fund dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Wetlands and National Parks.

PSP gives great importance to our multicultural society with all its richness and diversity as the natural binding force that makes us lead a whole life as better human beings with empathy and respect for each other. It is critically important that the State give equal importance to each and every element of our rich cultural heritage. PSP will rely heavily on our centuries old culture with due respect to indigenous values and traditions.

1. Will introduce Humanities, Arts and Ethics as part of school curriculum and at higher education levels.
2. Grants and Fund shall be established to support new talent development.
3. Existing art and cultural institutes shall be strengthened.
4. Pakistan film and cinema industry is reviving. PSP will lend full support to private sector in making creating environment conducive to film making in Pakistan.
5. Media cities shall be established.
6. All ethnicities and their culture will be promoted to preserve the richness of Pakistani culture and heritage.
7. Will provide infrastructure for creative cultural expression through art and literary organizations.
8. PSP will preserve the integrity of cultural diversity in different parts of the Provinces and will inspire thoughts and aspirations of intellectuals, poets, artists, writers, crafts person, traditional and contemporary architects and all others related with cultural activities and expression.
9. Special emphasis on preservation of urban heritage and tourism with incentives to investors.
10. De-politicization of Arts Councils and Cultural Bodies.
11. Rehabilitation and restoration of archaeological, spiritual (all beliefs and sects) and historical sites through satellite mapping and sustaining it with domestic and international tourism.
12. Will promote folklore and indigenous languages through establishment of Arts Councils and Community Cultural Councils.
13. Promote public-private partnerships to support arts and culture.
14. Effective implementation of anti-piracy laws.

25.1. Tourism:

Tourism shall be given the status of industry and developed on those lines with full support of State in form of incentives and special packages. The external and internal conflicts have greatly affected both domestic and external tourism. It is high time to take stock of things and put tourism on course. PSP will encourage private sector to invest in tourism for both the domestic and international tourists and will promote eco-tourism in wetlands and national parks all over Pakistan. We will introduce a special package for environmentally friendly development of the coastal belt all along Sindh and Baluchistan.

PSP will establish Transboundary Peace Parks, Marine Parks and Conservation Areas all along the land and sea borders of Pakistan with neighboring countries. All relevant stakeholders and institutions will be taken on board. Using conservation and environment to bilaterally create ‘peace parks’ to support and supplement bilateral and international efforts to resolve the entrenched geopolitical situations and to lessen strife between neighboring countries, while protecting the environment contributes to conflict prevention and peace building.

25.2. Sports:

Pakistan is gifted with talent and that Sports plays an important role in promoting nation building, social cohesion and a healthy lifestyle. At the grassroots or community level, sport can be seen to provide a useful way of creating an environment in which people can come together to work towards the same goal and show respect for others.

However, unfortunately Pakistan’s sports sector has been plagued by corruption allegations, mismanagement of funds, nepotism, and incompetence and power struggles – all which hinder our progress with regards to developing our dear nation. The challenges facing our sports sector has adversely affected our sportsmen, sportswomen, but every Pakistani citizen. We need to actively engage on addressing and countering these challenges and PSP’s National Sport and Recreation Plan will ensure this.

1. PSP will make sure that Sports facilities and activities are made compulsory in both public and private schools and colleges for both boys and girls,
2. Local, Provincial and National, Regional and International sports tournaments will be organized, and
3. Sports complexes will be established at district level.

PSP realizes the essential role Transportation plays in economic development and social mobility.PSP through its dynamic Transportation Policy will improve transport and communication by constructing national Trade and Freight corridors and attendant industrial corridors, besides providing fuel efficient, comfortable, reliable and low cost intra and Inter-city public transport and mass transit facilities in all major cities.

We will plan, build and upgrade farm-to-market roads to improve the transportation of agricultural goods and products across the country. Remote areas will be connected with the rest of Pakistan through world class highways and rail lines. National Highway Grid construction projects will be expedited, with Border and Coastal highways. Villages will be connected with all-weather roads. We will modernize existing airports and airstrips and build new ones, especially for connecting smaller towns and for tourism. In addition, there is great potential for inland air transportation and low cost air traveling within the country.

There will be special focus on Pakistan Railways to improve its operations. It has strategic importance as well as preferred mode of transportation for the common man and cargo carriages. A fully autonomous board will be set up to oversee the working of Railways.

E-Governance is Smart, Easy and Efficient:
PSP believes that IT is a tremendous enabler for equity, empowerment and efficiency for better and transparent governance and to make every household digitally literate. PSP envisions to fostering a Digital Pakistan - making every citizen and household digitally empowered with IT being a major driver and engine of growth. PSP will make sure that every effort will be made to reduce the digital divide between urban and rural areas, to enhance access to government services and introduce transparency to business opportunities all over Pakistan as a vital keystone to democratic governance.

PSP will:

1. Work on increasing the dissemination and use of broadband all over the country including the rural areas.
2. Establish High-speed digital highways to unite the country.
3. Introduce National E-Governance Master Plan to cover every Government office from the Federal to the Local Government level with mandate digitization of all government work to reduce corruption and delays.
4. Leverage technology for Smart-Governance and engage proactively with the people through social media for participative governance and effective public grievance redressal system.
5. Make all institutions and schools E-enabled in stages. Digital learning and training will be used extensively and technology will be utilized to lessen the burden of books on children.
6. Establish 'National Rural Internet and Technology Mission' to introduce telemedicine and mobile healthcare for rural healthcare delivery.
7. Establish ‘IT for Agriculture Program’ for real time information, retail trade, MSMEs and rural entrepreneurs.
8. Introduce IT and Smart-Governance to reduce Transmission and distribution losses.
9. Create IT based jobs in rural and semi-urban areas.
10. Establish ‘E-Culture and Arts’ to protect Pakistan's indigenous cultural and artistic heritage, including digitization of all archives and records.
11. To promote 'Open Source' and Open Standard' software.