KARACHI, Dec 13: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement on Thursday unveiled its election manifesto — “Empowerment for all” — and expressed the hope that people would support the party in the general election and enable it to achieve the goals set in the manifesto.

Demand for provincial autonomy, abolition of feudal system, knowledge for all for creating of an enlightened and moderate society, eradication of extremism and militancy, poverty alleviation, ending unemployment, carrying out agrarian reforms and eliminating socio-cultural, religious and economic injustices are some of the key points of the manifesto.

The party also promises to minimise the burden of taxes for the poor and people of low-income groups, especially the taxes on utility bills.

The party’s deputy convener Dr Farooq Sattar said at a press conference that the MQM believed that complete provincial autonomy was the only solution to problems of the country. The issue, according to him, was the biggest cause of disharmony and distrust among the federating units.

He suggested that the federation should retain the subjects of defence, foreign affairs and currency and all other subjects should be in the domain of the federating units.

The MQM also suggested formation of an inter-provincial council to deal with administrative issues among the provinces and for promoting harmony between the federation and the provinces.

It said the federating units should be engaged in the privatisation process by the federal government and given a reasonable share from the proceeds. It also proposed that the National Finance Commission should be made independent, but before that the recovery of general sales tax and excise tax be assigned to the provinces.

He said education could eliminate the menace of extremism. Seminaries, he said, should be given incentives to make their syllabus and standard of teaching conform to mainstream education.