ISLAMABAD: PTI main leadership unveil the election manifesto promising radical constitutional reforms and a society where both the rich and the poor are treated equally by the law.

In its manifesto unveiled only ten days before general elections on February 8, PTI pledged a set of legislative reforms, including constitutional amendments for direct election of prime minister, reducing the tenure of National Assembly to four years and Senate’s to five years.

As the party’s central leaders unveiled the manifesto at a news conference in Islamabad, police launched a crackdown on PTI’s rallies in many cities, and arrested dozens of party workers and leaders.

In its manifesto, PTI has also pledged the establishment of a ‘Truth and Reconciliation Com­mission’ to identify and address “blunders” made in history.

Addressing the news conference, PTI leader Gohar Khan said if voted to power his party would introduce a number of constitutional amendments to revamp the process of PM’s election and shorten the tenure of both houses of parliament.

“The prime minister will be directly elected by voters, rather than by the members of the National Assembly,” Mr Khan said, adding that 50 per cent of the Senate members will be elected directly and the other 50pc indirectly.

The Senate’s tenure will be five years and that of the National Assembly would be shortened from five to four years, he added.

“Laws will be amended and judicial and legal reforms will be introduced,” he pledged.

He vowed to implement Imran Khan’s vision of ‘Riyasat-i-Madina’ in which both the rich and the poor would be treated equally by the law.

He said the document’s title is ‘Shandaar Pakistan, Shandaar Mustaqbil aur Kharaab Maazi Sey Chutkara’.

The PTI chairman added that there would be special focus on education and the sector would be reformed to create a link between the education system and job market. PTI will also take measures for population control and spend three per cent of the GDP on social sectors as compared to current spending of 1pc. He vowed to improve infrastructure and the communication systems and eliminate corruption.

On the foreign policy front, Mr Khan said PTI’s manifesto pledges cordial relations with other countries, especially with neighbouring countries.

“The principle of foreign policy will be ‘Pakistan First’,” he added.

He said that PTI would address economic issues and added that only a stable government could fix the economy. PTI will give a five-year plan in one go and bring more people into the tax net rather than putting more burden on existing taxpayers.

“We will reduce expenses and increase income. Privatisation [of government institutions] will be carried out, along with an austerity plan,” said Mr Khan.

He added that since 70pc of the population is related to agriculture, PTI would give special attention to this sector. The manifesto also pledges to increase the share of renewables in the energy generation and introduce health cards again.