By IANS
Islamabad : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Monday spoke at cross-purposes on when the country would go to the polls, reinforcing the widely held view that elections would not be conducted in January as originally scheduled.
Addressing envoys from some 80 nations, including from the US and Britain, Musharraf said that in view of the emergency he declared Saturday, parliament’s tenure could be extended for one year but he would ensure that elections were held as soon as possible.
As for the emergency itself, the president said this would be lifted as soon as the situation in the country normalises – but did not set a timeline.
Foreign Secretary Riaz M. Khan and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.
DPA adds: General elections were expected to be held as scheduled next January, Aziz said Monday.
“So far there is no change in the schedule,” Aziz told reporters here.
The national assembly is being convened to meet in Islamabad Wednesday afternoon, he was cited as saying by private Network News International.
The statement came a day after Aziz said the government might postpone the polls.
“There could be some timing difference on the election schedule but we have not decided yet,” Aziz had told reporters Sunday.
“We are still deliberating. In an emergency the parliament could give itself one year extension,” he had added.
Musharraf, who took over in a bloodless military coup in 1999, partially suspended the country’s constitution Saturday, curtailed civil rights and replaced top members of the judiciary who he believed would rule against his re-election Oct 6.
The move has been strongly criticised by the international community, which has urged him to restore democracy and hold fair and free elections as scheduled.
Pakistan’s attorney general also said the national and provincial assemblies will be dissolved Nov 15.
The elections will be held within three months of the dissolution, he was cited as saying by Geo news channel.