Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Opposition lawmakers and analysts alleged that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had failed to materialise its pledge to create 10 million new jobs for the youth.

This is in stark contrast to statements made by PTI leaders in KP.

KP Information Minister Shah Farman said that unprecedented investment had been coming to the province because of work on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and construction of industrial zones.

“If we get jobs’ estimate from CPEC and industrial zones then I think jobs volume is bigger,” he remarked. “In view of heavy investment and establishing of industrial zones here, we expect creation of huge number of jobs,” Shah Farman noted.

Unveiling PTI’s 9-Point industrial policy back in 2013, PTI member National Assembly (MNA) Asad Umar had said, “Industry in Pakistan is in dire straits due to a crippling energy crisis, lack of access to finance and skill shortages, hence the PTI Industrial policy aims to build solid foundations for the revival of industry by creating 10 million new jobs for the youth over the next five years and to make the sector more viable and competitive in the international markets.”

Referring to the 10 million jobs creation pledge, Shah Farman said if one checked with the KP investment board or carried out a comparison as to why investment was being made here, then it would be clear that it was the outcome of PTI’s policies.

“God willing, we will achieve our targets,” he added.

Advisor to KP Chief Minister on Law Arif Yousaf said a large number of posts had been created but he would be in a better position to explain after having spoken to concerned departments.

Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F Malik Riaz said that the PTI claims were merely limited to paper and ground realities depicted a dismal picture.

“A political party speaks 70% truth and 30% lies, but the PTI speaks 30% truth and rest 70% lies,” he added. He said the provincial government was talking about progress in future perspective, that China will come and develop these and that, but the government performance in the existing scenario was pathetic.

“I challenge the PTI to create one million jobs instead of 10 million; then we will hand over the next government to PTI,” he remarked.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) MPA Sahibzada Sanaullah said according to figures available, PTI recruited some 20,000 employees in education, health and other departments. He said the provincial government had created 900 posts in the livestock department.

“I think creation of 10 million jobs is impossible because they [KP govt] have recruited 20,000 people so far and that is normally done by any government,” he added.

Zahid Khan, a senior leader and spokesperson of Awami National Party (ANP), questioned if PTI had fulfilled any of the commitments it made, so that “we believe that they (PTI) can honour its pledge to create 10 million jobs.”

He said the KP government had been advertising on television channels of the billion tree tsunami campaign but he didn’t observe success of the campaign on ground.

“These all are pack of lies,” Khan added.

When contacted for comments on the subject, Ayaz Khan, an independent analyst, said that creation of more jobs was directly linked to intensified economic and development activities.

“But against their (provincial government) promises in KP, including the billion trees tsunami campaign or creation of new jobs, they couldn’t achieve the targets and even the KP government budged has lapsed,” he added.

He said it was beyond his comprehension how PTI would create jobs at a time when there were no enhanced development and economic activities.

Published in Daily Times, November 18^th 2017.