NEW DELHI: Inspired by the electoral success of the AAP, over half-a-dozen political outfits with similar names have sprouted in Pakistan.
There is Aam Aadmi Party led by Arslan Ul Mulk, a human rights activist from Gujranwala. Then there is Aam Aadmi Justice Party, launched by Mian Ghulam Rasool, an advocate at the Islamabad High Court with the motto: new vision, new minds, prosperity and justice for Pakistan.
There are the Aam Insan Movement launched by Rana Moeen Akhtar and the Aam Log Party Pakistan led by Muhammad Naseem Sadiq. All these political outfits have emerged after popularity and subsequent electoral victory of the AAP in the last Delhi Assembly polls.
As per the Election Commission of Pakistan’s list of registered political parties, there is also an Aam Admi Party of Pakistan based in Islamabad. It is led by Adnan Haider Randhawa, a young human rights campaigner and lawyer. The party’s objective is: “Aam Aadmi Party Pakistan is striving for national rejuvenation by replacing existing corrupt and inefficient ruling elite by capable, middle-class, educated and honest leadership from among the Aam Aadmis of Pakistan.”
AAP founder and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is likely to attend the Karachi Literature Festival next year, may find the Aam Log Party Pakistan’s political vision similar to the “Swarajya” vision of his party, which was catapulted to national importance by anti-corruption moment launched by Anna Hazare. The Aam Log Party Pakistan too talks about fighting corruption.
Inspired by Kejriwal, the Aam Log Party Pakistan says its lawmakers will not use blue lights or any other beacons on their vehicles and accept special security cover. Like the AAP’s internal Lokpal, the party has its internal ombudsman with five jurists on the board.
The poll panel’s website shows there is also the Aam Pakistani Ittehad Party led by Sajid Iqbal and the Aam Pakistani Party launched by Syed Safdar Rizvi in Karachi. There is the Aap Janab Sarkar Party in Lahore, launched by Dr Amber Shahzada.
Interestingly, there is an All-Pakistan Aam Aadmi Party as well, in Rawalpindi. Launched by Nashir Mehmood, the party also aims to fight corruption and give power back to the common man.