Renowned Pakistani television anchor and investigative journalist Iqrar Ul Hassan has officially announced plans to launch a new political party, marking a significant shift from media to active politics. The party’s official name and identity will be unveiled on January 15, while the registration process will be announced shortly afterward.
Iqrar Ul Hassan Addresses Youth on Punjab’s Political Landscape
Speaking directly to young people, Iqrar Ul Hassan discussed Punjab’s political history, governance, and development trajectory. He acknowledged that several past leaders contributed to infrastructure growth in the province.
He credited former Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif for initiating multiple development projects and noted that caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi oversaw the construction of numerous underpasses aimed at easing urban traffic congestion.
Praise for Development, Criticism of Governance Failures
Iqrar Ul Hassan stated that Punjab has largely benefited from leaders who focused on development, including Maryam Nawaz, whom he cited as an example of administrative effectiveness. However, he sharply criticized the tenure of former Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, describing it as an exception in Punjab’s otherwise development-orientated leadership history.
‘Political Parties Are Institutions, Not Personal Properties’
Highlighting the philosophy behind his political move, Iqrar Ul Hassan emphasized that political parties should function as strong institutions, not as entities inherited or controlled by individuals or families.
“Political parties are not personal properties passed from one person to another. They must operate on systems, principles, and accountability,” he said.
New Political Party Aims to Offer Practical Solutions
Iqrar Ul Hassan clarified that his objective is not to promote personal ideologies or personalities but to provide practical, solution-orientated approaches to Pakistan’s pressing political, economic, and governance challenges.
He described the upcoming political platform as one focused on:
-
Institutional reform
-
Accountability
-
Youth engagement
-
Evidence-based policy solutions
Party Registration Details to Be Announced Next Month
Confirming the next steps, Iqrar Ul Hassan stated that the party’s registration process will be announced alongside its official name next month.
The announcement has already sparked widespread discussion across social media and political circles, with many closely watching how the journalist-turned-politician positions himself in Pakistan’s evolving political landscape.
