Jamaat's manifesto lacks clear targets and funding plan: Fahmida

The election manifesto of Jamaat-e-Islami is a collection of slogan-heavy rhetoric that lacks specific, time-bound commitments or a viable framework for implementation, Fahmida Khatun, executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), has said.

Analysing the document for TBS, Fahmida noted a curious shift in the party's branding, observing that the word "Islam" is entirely absent from the text. "Looking at this manifesto, one would not recognise it as Jamaat's," she said, questioning whether the inclusion of images featuring modern youth was an attempt to misguide the electorate.

Economic targets deemed unrealistic

The CPD executive director pointed out two fundamental flaws in the party's economic promises: a total absence of commencement dates for proposed schemes and a lack of clarity on how increased sector allocations would be financed.

While the manifesto envisions establishing Bangladesh as the world's 20th largest economy and reaching a $2 trillion GDP by 2040, she argued that the current proposals are insufficient to meet such targets. Furthermore, the pledge to hike per capita income to $10,000 was met with scepticism, as the party failed to set any targets for private sector investment – the primary engine of growth and employment.

While the manifesto proposes raising public investment to 20% of GDP and increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) to $15 billion, it does not set any target for private sector investment, which Fahmida described as the main driver of growth and employment.

"To build a $2 trillion economy, the GDP growth rate must not only reach 7% but remain stable at that level for a prolonged period. Jamaat mentions the 7% figure but provides no timeline for when this will be achieved," she added.

Fahmida also flagged significant inconsistencies regarding the labour market and fiscal policy. 

The party promises to create 7 crore jobs but offers no timeline or investment plan to back such a massive undertaking, she said.

The manifesto pledges to reduce unemployment from "double digits to single digits," despite official Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics data currently placing the unemployment rate at less than 4%, Fahmida said.

A target of a 14% tax-to-GDP ratio is mentioned without any roadmap on how to bridge the current revenue gap, she said.

Trade and social sector shortfalls

The analysis further highlighted a lack of foresight regarding international trade. The CPD executive director noted that Jamaat's plan to double exports within five years – based on their listed priority sectors – is unachievable in the current global climate of tariff wars and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). 

She also described the goal of 30% import substitution as "unrealistic," suggesting the focus should instead remain on sectors where the country holds a competitive advantage.

Regarding social infrastructure, the manifesto promises to gradually increase education spending to 6% of GDP and triple the health budget. However, Fahmida concluded that without specific years or phases attached to these "gradual" increases, the pledges remain effectively hollow.