‘Open for all’: Ex-PML-N leaders Miftah Ismail, Shahid Khaqan launch new party Awaam Pakistan – Pakistan

Former PML-N leaders Miftah Ismail and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Saturday formally launched a new party named Awaam Pakistan, declaring it “open for all” to join.

The leaders had long floated the idea of a new political entity to take the country out of perennial crises. Last month, a glimpse of Awaam Pakistan appeared on the country’s political horizon after a video posted on the X account of the party was shared with the tagline ‘Awaam Pakistan: Badlein ge nizam’ (People of Pakistan: We will change the system).

The video, featuring a string of despondent citizens asking questions about multiple national issues, was reshared by both Ismail and Abbasi.

Today, the party was formally launched.

Speaking at the ceremony in Islamabad, the former finance minister said the vision of his party was to provide Pakistanis with equal economic opportunities. He stated that Awaam Pakistan would not follow the “hereditary politics” or the concept of a “messiah”.

“If you believe that we have the right to move forward […] then join us, we will stand with you and rebuild Pakistan,” Ismail said.

“No senior party member will serve more than two terms,” he said. “Nor will their children come and take their position. We are not going to have dynasties or cults of personality here, we will operate on merit.”

He rued how Pakistan has plummeted behind most other countries in nearly every sector.

“There was a time not long ago when Pakistan was the richest country in South Asia, now we are behind everyone else,” he said, highlighting that Pakistan was even behind Nepal in human development.

“The most children out of school in the world are in Pakistan, and not in bigger countries like China,” he added. “Our government spends between Rs1.5tr and Rs2tr on education, and despite that we’re still behind Sudan, Yemen, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and other states.

Ismail said that 100 million Pakistanis are living under the poverty line. “Their children sleep starving. This is where our politicians have brought us,” he lamented.

He said that 40 per cent Pakistanis suffer from stunted physical and mental development due to malnutrition. “If these children have no future then what future does the coutnry have? Can this country move forward like this?”

“We have been left behind because we are a predatory state,” Ismail said. “To our politicians, we are not citizens, we’re prey.”

He said that the recently passed budget has been formulated only for politicians’ benefit. “Taxes have been doubled for those who make between Rs75,000 and Rs100,000. Imagine how much they have to pay in addition to utilities, fees and medical bills.”

Ismail said his party’s first priority would be to give Pakistanis opportunities to move forward. “If you believe that Pakistanis have the right to move forward and have opportunities then join us, we will stand with you and bring Pakistan up.”

More to follow