KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain said on Thursday that his party would field candidates in all parts of the country in the coming elections. He expressed the hope that his party would form next government in Sindh.

Addressing a meeting of party office-bearers, Mr Hussain urged the Election Commission to extend the date for the submission of nomination papers by at least a week.

He expressed the hope that the elections would be free, fair and impartial and no party would be able to influence results.

The MQM chief called upon politicians not to use provocative language against each other.

He said his party would cooperate with law-enforcement agencies in their efforts to help the country get rid of illegal weapons. He said the MQM believed in the politics of ballots and urged party workers to hand over to the authorities any illegal weapons held by them.

He urged the office-bearers to submit nomination forms of eligible candidates by March 31 and said those seeking MQM’s ticket could submit their details online at party’s website.

Mr Hussain said the MQM had always stood for women’s rights and if the party came to power it would eliminate all ‘evil social customs’, such as karo-kari and vani. A network of industrial homes and educational institutions would be set up for women’s economic development.

The party would reserve 50 per cent job quota and seats for women in legislatures. Shelter homes would be established for women victimised for getting married against the will of their families.