Nawaz will not be allowed to return before polls: Musharraf

President Pervez Musharraf has assured worried PML-Q legislators that former premier Nawaz Sharif would not be allowed to return to Pakistan before the general elections.

Islamabad, Oct 26 : President Pervez Musharraf has assured worried PML-Q legislators that former premier Nawaz Sharif would not be allowed to return to Pakistan before the general elections.

Musharraf said this while talking to the lawmakers of the ruling party and its allies at a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

Many legislators were eager to know whether the government would allow Sharif to return, fearing this would pose a host of political challenges to the ruling party in Punjab.

He said the elections would be held in a free, fair and transparent manner.

"The assemblies will complete their Constitutional term, which ends on November 15," he added.

Musharraf asked legislators to prepare for the elections and capitalise on the unprecedented development that has taken place during the tenure of the present government.

He ruled out the dissolution of the local governments prior to the general elections.

Commenting on the issue of Dr AQ Khan, Musharraf told the gathering that the government would not allow any foreign agency or the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to interrogate the nuclear scientist.

"If anyone has questions, he should send us and we will conduct the probe ourselves," The News quoted Musharraf, as saying.

He categorically said that the government would not allow any foreign forces to conduct operations on Pakistan's territory.

Talking about the National Reconciliation Ordinance, Musharraf said that the main purpose of the ordinance was to create an atmosphere of reconciliation in the country and to end the politics of vendetta.

He thanked the PML-Q and its allies for electing him for a second term as the President.

ANI