General elections in Pakistan could be delayed by a year, hints Aziz

The holding of general elections in Pakistan, due in January, has come under a cloud with Prime Minster Shaukat Aziz today hinting that it could be delayed by a year, as per the emergency provisions.

Islamabad, Nov 4 : The holding of general elections in Pakistan, due in January, has come under a cloud with Prime Minster Shaukat Aziz today hinting that it could be delayed by a year, as per the emergency provisions.

Addressing a press conference here, a day after the imposition of emergency in the country, Aziz said: "We are committed to making sure that elections are held, and that democratic process flourishes in Pakistan. Now as a result of what has happened there could be some timing differences but no decision has been made."

"We are still deliberating. In an emergency the Parliament could give itself one year," he added.

Not willing to state how long the emergency would continue in the country, Aziz said, "I would say it (emergency rule) will be there as long as it is necessary but our desire is to keep it as short as feasible."

Reiterating the Government's commitment towards pursuing parliamentary form of governance as envisaged by President Pervez Musharraf's three-phase political transition in the country, Aziz said: "These extraordinary measures, which are limited in certain ways, are to ensure effective governance."

"They're there to ensure the writ of the government, to maintain law and order and security, to contain extremism and to bring harmony amongst the various pillars of the state - the executive, the judiciary and the legislature," he added.

He said that the imposition of emergency rule would allow the effective functioning of the law-enforcing agencies, "because you are dealing with an unusual situation."

"And we are very confident that this will be achieved without too much time being spent," he added.

ANI