The Environmental Issues in Pakistan: An Assessment of the Political Parties Manifestos for the 2018 Elections

Authors

  • Asghar Khan Department of Regional Studies, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan.
  • Ashfaq U. Rehman Department of Political Science, Women University Swabi, Swabi, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4789-4104
  • Ayaz Ahmad Department of English, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan.
  • Shughla Ashfaq MPhil, Department of Politics and International Relations, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.lassij/4.1.27

Keywords:

Environment, Environmental Issues, Environmental Governance, Manifesto, Party Manifesto, Election Manifesto, Pakistan’s Politics, Political Parties

Abstract

This paper assessed political parties’ manifestos of the 2018 election regarding their policies for addressing Pakistan's environmental issues. The area covered by forests has reduced to 24% from 50% (in the 1940s). The wastage of natural resources, especially water, has resulted in the drying of swamps and lakes (and a general reduction of freshwater resources). Soil has become less fertile; the underground water has been receding, and the country has become a desert. Textual analysis is used to clarify each party's position and examine the comparative approach of eight major political parties. The manifestos of these parties expressed commitment to solving environmental problems as the voters have been directly affected by adverse climate changes, which have affected the social, political, and economic spheres. The parties that have been in power and those not been in power but have a significant voter following are collectively shaping the governance system to address the environmental concerns of Pakistan. Unfortunately, the redressal of environmental issues has been commonly relegated to the bottom of priorities in the manifestos of the political parties. Instead of addressing the environmental concerns, the political parties prioritised it with manipulation to grab power for the sake of enjoying it.

Published

2020-12-13

How to Cite

Khan, A., Rehman, A. U., Ahmad, A., & Ashfaq, S. (2020). The Environmental Issues in Pakistan: An Assessment of the Political Parties Manifestos for the 2018 Elections. Liberal Arts and Social Sciences International Journal (LASSIJ), 4(1), 317–328. https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.lassij/4.1.27

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles

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