KARACHI, Feb 15: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain said on Friday that the message of his party was spreading across the country and it would be in a position to nominate its own prime minister and chief minister in Sindh in the 2013 election. Addressing public meetings in North Karachi, Orangi Town and Shah Faisal Colony from London on telephone, Mr Hussain said that some elements did not want the MQM to work freely, but when the party was given chance it launched a number of development projects. “We will do more work and launch more development projects if voted to power at the federal level.”

He said his party would try to make the Feb 18 election peaceful and called upon other political and religious parties to play their role in maintaining peace and observe the day of election as a day of democracy and peace. “It is the responsibility of every citizen to ensure peaceful elections,” he added.

Mr Hussain asked party workers not to get provoked and remain peaceful. He said that the MQM believed in serving the masses without any discrimination and the fact that it provided water to the neglected areas of Lyari and Keamari was a proof.

Referring to the development work in Karachi, he said that after five years the city would become a symbol of progress and development.

He said his party would establish schools and colleges across the country if its candidates were elected.

The MQM leader paid tribute to party workers killed during the army operation in 1992.

He asked candidates to serve people after being elected if they wanted to remain in the party.

Earlier, MQM candidates contesting the elections from Shah Faisal, North Karachi and Orangi Town addressed the meetings. The public meetings were held amid tight security.