After much anticipation, a new political entity has entered Pakistan’s political arena. Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail have officially launched “Awam Pakistan.”
The party introduced itself on social media with the slogan: “Awam Pakistan: Badlein Nizam” (Change the System). The initial social media post featured a video of citizens expressing frustration over issues such as inflation, gas and electricity shortages, corruption, unemployment, and the lack of schools for girls.
Read more: Former PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Unveils Faizabad Dharna Revelations on Azaz Syed’s ‘Talk Shock’ Show
Abbasi, Ismail, and former PPP Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar had been developing this initiative since leaving their respective parties in 2022 and 2023 due to policy disagreements. Before this, they formed the Political Mavericks group, which held nationwide seminars under the “Reimagining Pakistan” banner in 2023 to address the country’s challenges.
Abbasi has been appointed the convener of Awam Pakistan’s organizing committee, with Ismail as his deputy.
Although Khokhar is no longer involved, sources suggest this is because he preferred to delay the party’s launch until the Islamabad High Court’s decision on the NA-47 Islamabad elections, in which he participated on February 8. However, other members favored an immediate launch.
Several former Pakistan Muslim League (N) leaders have joined the new party, along with prominent professionals from various sectors. According to Ismail, the organizing committee includes former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan, Senator Javed Abbasi, and former MQM MNA Sheikh Salahuddin.
Founding members of Awam Pakistan include former PML-N MNA Rana Zahid Tauseef from Faisalabad, former Health Minister Zafar Mirza, former MPA Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Hazara activist Fatima Atif, Sindhi nationalist leader Anwar Soomro, legal expert Abdul Moiz Jafferi, and former HEC chairman Tariq Javed Banuri.
With its diverse leadership and clear focus on addressing pressing national issues, Awam Pakistan aims to bring significant change to the country’s political landscape.
