Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Thursday revealed 28-point election manifesto 2011 for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) aimed at empowering the people, besides announcing nomination of its candidates from all constituencies of AJK's coming election.
Titled "Empowerment for All", the MQM's Manifesto Election 2011, AJK, was announced by MQM's leader Dr Farooq Sattar here at a news conference, which consists of 28 points, which besides other also include promises to resolve Kashmir dispute, restoration of local government system, revolutionary steps for industrial and economic development, reduction of poverty and unemployment, good governance and corruption free society.
Sattar said that MQM believes that Kashmir issue could not be resolved unless the people of Kashmir are included in talks on every level, adding decision about the future of Kashmir should be made keeping in view the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He said that MQM stands by the Kashmiri people in their struggle for self-determination and legitimate rights. He also expressed the hope that people of Kashmir would unite under the leadership of Altaf Hussain for the implementation of its manifesto.
He said that Kashmiri people were struggling for the last 63 years and thousands have sacrificed their lives but some political and religious parties of the country misappropriated millions of rupees on the name of Kashmir cause.
Referring to 2011 election in AJK, Sattar said that MQM would nominate its candidates from every single constituency of AJK in upcoming elections. He said that the MQM was struggling to establish an equitable system in AJK and rest of the country in which people belonging to the poor and middle class would enjoy the same rights as are available to the privileged class.
The MQM leader said his party has come up with a manifesto whereas other political parties, without naming any, had been busy over there with no policy for the people. The manifesto talks about for revolutionary steps for students, health, industrial and economic development, reduction of poverty and unemployment and promotion of meritocracy.
Sattar urged the people of Kashmir to support the MQM's manifesto and follow the philosophy of Altaf Hussain by getting rid of the 'opportunist' political and religious parties. Some salient features of the election manifesto include; early and just resolution of Kashmir dispute as per aspirations of the Kashmiri people, free of cost education up to matriculation, and an end to dual education system of education, giving royalty of Mangla dam to AJK, establishment of health centers at each district and village level, establishment of export zone to promote home made industries and encourage the industry of marbles, fruit and garments.
It also includes provision of scholarships to poor students, repeal of discriminatory laws against women besides giving 33 percent representation to women in all political institutions, giving right to vote to overseas Kashmiris and transparent audit of the funds spent on the reconstruction of earthquake hit zones. Sattar also strongly condemned the state terrorism in occupied Kashmir and underscored the need of unity among the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir to avail independence in real terms.