Islamabad (Web Desk): Former Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leaders, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Miftah Ismail on Saturday formally launched a new political party named ‘Awaam Pakistan’.
Addressing the ceremony, Ismail said the vision of his party was to provide Pakistanis with equal economic opportunities. The former finance minister 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,” he added.
Abbasi said that within three to four weeks, the party will release a mission statement outlining its goals and policies. “We will present a solution to the country’s problems in this statement, to prove that we aren’t just all talk,” Abbasi said.
The former premier emphasised that Awaam Pakistan was an “unconventional party” and that he was presenting an idea as opposed to a traditional, structured political party. He slammed the political class, stating, “Politicians now love to talk about accountability. Everyone says they will hold people accountable, but these are the same people who tax others and not pay taxes themselves.”
“It is upsetting that we worry about our seats more than our country,” he said. “What moral authority do they have to resolve our problems?”
However, he expressed hope that the public “wish to be part of something better” and added that “the first step in a difficult journey has been taken”.
Former PML-N leader and KP governor Mehtab Abbasi and former PM’s aide Zafar Mirza also addressed the event.
