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Musharraf rules out polls before 2008

B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has ruled out general election before early 2008.

His announcement came amid speculation of a snap poll. Talking to leaders of the ruling combine, Gen. Musharraf said the schedule for 2007 elections would be announced on completion of the tenure of Assemblies in November next year.

He reiterated that the Assemblies would complete their constitutional term, saying the chapter of dissolution had been closed. He said the Assemblies faced no threat whatsoever.

Opposition demand

However, he did not touch on the demands made by the mainstream Opposition parties for "free, fair and transparent" elections. Pakistan Muslim League led by Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) led by Benazir Bhutto have threatened to boycott elections unless they are held under a care-taker government with an "independent" Election Commission.

The two leaders , who met recently in London and vowed to forge a joint political strategy to take on Gen. Musharraf, also wanted the Government to allow their return.

They also demanded the ban on a person from holding the post of Prime Minister for the third time be lifted.

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